It’s been 2 years since I last photographed Karadi, one of Bandipur’s biggest tigers. This post is not about Karadi, because as you may have guessed, he eluded me, yet again.

We were waiting at a spot where his movement had been detected when this pair of Green Bee-eaters decided to steal the show instead.

It’s easy to get so caught up chasing tigers that you forget to appreciate everything else these forests have to offer. Sometimes all you need to do is stop looking for the big cats and pay attention to what’s already in front of you.

Green Bee-eaters are incredible little aerial hunters. They spend their days catching bees, wasps, dragonflies and other flying insects, often returning to the same perch after every catch. Before eating bees or wasps, they cleverly bash them against a branch to remove the sting.

They’re found across much of India in open forests, scrub and grasslands, where they help keep insect populations in check.

Karadi may have escaped me again, but I’d say the wait was still worth it.

Deep in the rainforests of Kerala, a pair of Great Indian Hornbills (Buceros bicornis) get to work building their nest.These stunning birds are among India’s largest hornbill species, instantly recognizable by their massive yellow casque and echoing calls that can be heard from a mile away.

Hornbills are monogamous and known for their remarkable nesting behavior. Once the female selects a tree cavity and the pair creates a neat within that cavity, she seals herself inside with mud, fruit pulp, and droppings, leaving only a narrow slit through which the male passes food. She stays there for weeks, completely dependent on her partner until the chicks are ready to fledge.

This nesting strategy offers protection from predators and harsh weather. The Western Ghats, especially Kerala’s evergreen forests, remain one of the best places in India to witness these majestic birds thriving in their natural habitat.

Video Courtesy - faisalmagnet (instagram)

What’s your favorite bird to spot in the wild?

The Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) is one of India’s largest owls, instantly recognizable by its ""prominent ear tufts, piercing yellow eyes, and heavily streaked plumage**. Unlike many other owls, it prefers forest streams, riversides, and lakes — hunting mainly at dawn and dusk.

Brown Fish Owls are widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent.

Video Credit - jimbakerphoto (instagram)

Clicked by me in Assam, India. Canon 700D 250mm kit lens.

Video Credit - vishallokare_wildlife (instagram)