Into the wild

The place where I live is surrounded by  mountains and ever green forests of western ghats. After taking photography seriously I wanted to explore many those mountains and forests which are rarely accessed by human beings.
Last week myself and  my old  friend Yogesh went for a whole day trekking to one of those forests.

I tried to make some images to depict the monsoon mood.

Monsoon Raagas

  As all of  you know I am living amidst the thick forests of Western Ghats. It's a place full of green, mountain, birds etc. Especially in the time of monsoon the beauty of the place reaches to it's peak. It is my long time wish to make some images in the rainy days through which I can depict monsoon. The big challenge for this israin itself! Mist and the water are the biggest enemies of the camera. Last year in the attempt my camera got exposed to the mist. I had to replace the CCD of the camera.
So This year I was scared to do the experiments as with at-most difficulty I had changed my camera and my new D90 is in perfect condition. I didn't want to take extra risk. But when the monsoon started and the nature began to dance with wings spread to it's own tunes my desire started to grow again.
Finally, today I decided to take the risk, but with proper care. I hired a jeep and collected enough plastic bags to cover my camera, in the event of rain fall.
This morning we (myself and my wife Anusha)  around 5.30 in the morning headed to Kollur ghats. I had already noted the places where to take photos. In fact I have even composed the scenes and the only thing remaining was recording them on the sensor.

There are many streams flowing only during the time of monsoon. I used my camera bag as bean bag to achieve the slow shutter.
There is a beautiful view point facing west. One has to be there to enjoy the beauty of the place.I feel  thousand words or hundred images will definitely fail to describe the serenity of the place.When we reached there luckily and very a rarely rainbow was formed on the valley. I could not believe my eyes, it was so serenic!It was out of the world. It lasted for a few seconds I was in very awkward position to make image and with a little difficulty I managed to make 2 images.

Just a few meter ahead there was another stream flowing with the style of a super model!  We didn't want to waste a single opportunity.

                                          (Difference in the color is due to white balance)                                                        After making some more images  we headed back towards the foothill of Kodachadri,Khareghati. Though we were not sure of making any images as it is the thick forest and thousands of leaches are waiting for us to step down from the jeep. But we managed to make some images sitting in the jeep.

                                                    

The mist, gigantic trees soaked in the rain were a treat to watch.

                            

    It was getting late and we reluctantly headed back to home.

PS: Please see the larger images to get better impact of the place

Two water falls

Almost two months back we went to explore a new water falls called 'Belli Gundi'. No one of us knew the route. We have only heard the name of the falls. Some one told us that the route is very tough and we have to walk in the deep forest for 13 k.m. They described it as a 600ft height falls. After hearing all these we were very much excited and decided to go there. Meanwhile some of my friend told there is another route which is just 3 k.m trek. There you can see the water falls at a relatively long distance.
We decided to chose that route . One morning we left the place early in the morning to discover the falls. After 45 k.m . we reached a place called 'Kattinkaaru' where we had to take deviation and enter into the forest. No one was there to guide us. After searching for 2 hours we could find a old man who was willing to show us water falls, but not Belli gundi instead 'Booralu Gundi'.
We followed him. after 3 k.m walk in the forest we reached "Booralu gundi" which is really a awesome place. It's very less explored place. Very a few outsiders have seen this place.

After exploring each and every corner of that falls we decided to climb down to see other falls.The old man who took us there warned us not to go there as no one has climbed down till date.
we were there to explore the place . we wanted to discover new places.We were not at all in the mood to listen him. With lots of difficulties we managed to climb down.

Wah!! what a scene !! The real beauty of the place lies here. It was amazing sight. The water was falling almost from 150ft height. And the width was no less than 150ft.
This falls is called Maaralu Gundi"
we were very happy.Our task was almost accomplished.

While coming back we took a small deviation and reached to a valley point. From there we could see Arabian sea. If we waited till sunset we would have witnessed sun setting in the Arabian sea.
On other side from a far distance we saw "Belli Gundi"falls which was falling from almost 400ft height.

We are planning to explore that place in near future. Hope very soon I will be coming infront of you with that story.