Bera - The Leopard's Atelier

The leopard is definitely the most elusive and secretive in the cat family. They are extremely difficult to trace and locate in the wild unless you are in Bera, in south-west Rajasthan, India.

Its a land shaped by lava that emerged to the surface millions of years ago. This is one of the reason that makes this place very special. The region is surrounded by granite hills. Mankind and these leopards have been living for years in perfect harmony.

Leopard and its Habitat

Leopards tend to have two or three cubs per gestation. Mothers refrain from wandering their territories after giving birth until their young are capable to come with them.

Female leopard with cub (six months old)

Leopards tend to have distinctive dark spots called rosettes, which create beautiful patterns against their otherwise light fur.

There were about three different locations where we could get good sightings of the Leopard's. Everyone would queue up like good Samaritan's to catch a glimpse.

(Namita, Satya, Santosh, Umesh, Geetha, Maya, Ranjit and Myself) L-R

Leopard

Adaptability has allowed them to survive in various different geographic areas. 

The region is perhaps the only known place that has the highest density of leopards in the world wherein even humans cohabit. The delight was inimitable and obvious from our smiles.

(Santosh, Satya, Ranjit, Geetha, Namita, Maya, Umesh and Myself) L-R

Later in the afternoon we were offered a drive over the hills in open vehicles, the drive had its own charm and overlooking the region.

Drive on the rocky terrain

As night fell, we drove into the land of the predator. The drive was exhilarating and we reached a place that was pitch dark. 

A camp fire was arranged for us and we gathered around it, talking our hearts out and recalling the childhood days.

The night never failed to surprise us, wherein we sighted the many nocturnal species.

Saw-scaled Viper

Jackal

After having an excellent time, we decide to drive back, just as we were nearing another hill heard some sound.

No sooner the search lights came on, could see the predator peep and it silently walked down the hill and disappeared.  

It took some time, before we could trace it sitting under a tree. Surely it had walked out of its Lair. The Leopard Lair's are abundance in this region.

Leopard

Leopard - Under the tree

Leopard

The region also reveals some of the other fascinating avian species as well around the Jawai Lake. Jawai Dam is the largest man made lake in western Rajasthan. The lake now is a lifeline to crocodiles and an incredible array of migratory birds, including the flamingo's.

Jawai Dam

Unique among these are the swallows who make complex mud nests on the cliffs of the Jawai hills.

Red-rumped Swallow

Bird Nests

The Indian eagle-owl, also called the rock eagle-owl was seen roosting in a cavity in the hill, which from a distance was difficult to even distinguish from the surroundings. They are predators by the night and roost during the day.

Rock-eagle Owl

Over enthusiasm took over umesh who took to photographing the species like a pro while the other were busy photographing him!

The Group - (Bird Watching)

Ruddy Shelduck

Blue rock thrush - female

Eurasian Spoonbill

Pied Kingfisher

Small Pratincole

Indian Peafowl

Bera can be reached by rail and by air. The closet airport is Udaipur. However as always, we drove to this hamlet town, situated in the Aravali range in Rajasthan from Mumbai. 

This time we stayed in Castle Bera, which is a heritage hotel in the region. The room are indeed very well designed and hospitality is immaculate. We were friends since school days and this was the first ever trip we made together. The company was superlative. Each session is embedded deep in the mind, be it having meals, playing Uno (a card game) or a drive into the wild.

We surely intend to have another trip soon!

Dates : 23rd March 2016 to 26th March 2016

Happy Birding!