Monsson Wilderness : Amboli - Tilari

As promised we were back for Hemant Ogale's monsson camp in Whistling Woods Amboli , we have seen the beautiful side of monsson , the mountains , the waterfalls and the green cover but this time we were here to explore Amboli's wilderness in monsoon.

Amboli is the northern most point of Malabar region , off late amboli has been shining as one of the best biodiversity hotspots in maharashtra and india. Amboli is wettest place in Maharashtra infact its monthly rainfall in June ( around 3500mm) is more than that in cherapunjee, such climate is extremely conducive for rapid reproduction of frogs there are many frog species , some of them endemic to Amboli. One from species amongst them hogs the major limelight "Malabar Gliding Frog", green colored frogs resembling cartoon characters are one of the most photographed infact they have become a trademark of amboli. These frogs breed throughout the monsoon and as soon as monsoon ends , they vanish into the thin air , never to be seen afterwards. Many attempts have been made to find out where do the frogs disappear after monsoon , including geo tagging , however no one has been able to find out there whereabouts. Malabar gliding frogs as the name suggests dont really glide , they are jut distant relatives of the actual gliding frogs however they do jump a long distance owing to their huge paws and long legs.These frogs spend almost their entire life on trees and during day time they move higher up the tree cover hence cannot be spotted.

As soon as the night falls , each frog species starts emitting their specific mating sounds , sometimes this sound is so loud one can barely hear one speaking. With frogs number increasing predators like snakes also find this environment conducive for reproduction as enough food is available everywhere.

Pit vipers and green vine snakes are found in abundance , however their camouflage is so brilliant that only a trained eye like that of out guide shubham can locate them in thick bushes in dense night. Night walks are scary and exciting at the same time, you know that there are poisonous snakes around but watching them in their natural habitat is extremely exciting.

Photogeaphing in night was a different challenge all together , rains just add to a another challenge , I am pretty disappointed with the results at night , needs some more practice for sure !!

Green Vine Snake

Gliding frog

narrow mouth frog

wolley bear caterpiller

imperial moth

pit viper brown morph

malabar pit viper green morph

                                                                      

                                                                          Tilari 

Tilari is one of maharashtra's lesser known wilderness , our friend praveen desai has opened a homestay in vanoshi village and we were more than happy to check out the jungles. Nourished by all the year supply of water from tilari dam , surrounded by Mhadei and Brahamagiri wildlife sanctuaries , Tilari is a wilderness untouched at its best. Praveens homestay is right at its edge, so much that one can spot indian gaurs in his backyard only if lucky. Praveen is also creating a butterfly garden in his backyard.

We went for a jungle walk by the surge canal , first animal we spotted was a monitor lizard , otherwise difficult to spot.

Praveens Contact:-9405833691

malabar grey hornbill