Writer, Photographer & Traveler:
Dr. Akash Akinwar
Email ID: drakashakinwar@gmail.com / Website: www.drakashakinwar.com
Date of Journey: 14th August to 15th August (1 night & 2 days trip)
AMBOLI .....One of the most successful trips!
Counting as follows:
Malabar Pit Viper = 5,
Green Vine Snake = 4,
Wrinkled Frog = 3,
Malabar Gliding Frog = 1,
Caranculla (Spider) = 1,
Bombay Leaf-toed Gecko=2,
Brook's House Gecko =2,
Frog Eggs ...and many more....!
Green Vine Snake = 4,
Wrinkled Frog = 3,
Malabar Gliding Frog = 1,
Caranculla (Spider) = 1,
Bombay Leaf-toed Gecko=2,
Brook's House Gecko =2,
Frog Eggs ...and many more....!
Introduction
Amboli is a hill station in south Maharashtra, India. At an altitude of 690 m it is the last hill station before the coastal highlands of Goa and a relatively unexplored one.
Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India, one of the world's "Eco Hot-Spots" and it therefore abounds in a variety of fairly unique flora and fauna. However, as in the other parts of the Sahaydri Hills, denudation of the forest cover and unregulated government assisted "development" (read "hotels, resorts & highways") are gradually ruining a once pristine environment.
Historically, Amboli village came into being as one of the staging posts along the road from Vengurla port to the city of Belgaum, which was extensively used by the British to supply their garrisons in south and central India.
Transport
Amboli is well connected by road to all the surrounding cities (Kolhapur 129 km, Belgaum 68 km, Panjim (Goa) 90 km) by road and the nearest airport is at Belgaum, about 1.5 hours drive away. All the roads are good and a new airport is expected to come up in north Goa shortly, reducing the travelling time to just over an hour.
Accommodation
There are a few decent (and relatively cheap) hotels at Amboli. A few of them being, Hotel Sailee, Whistling Woods, Silent Valley Resort Shanti Darshan and Hotel Shiv malhar. Most of them provide hot water baths and have facilities like Restaurant, Room Service & Cab Services.
MTDC's Green Valley is also a very good resort. But we decided to stay at WHISTLING WOODS RESORT.
WHISTLING WOODS RESORT, AMBOLI
Website Link: http://www.amboliww.com/
Whistling Woods Resort
Amboli, Taluka: Sawantwadi
Dist: Sindhudurg
Maharashtra State,India
Contact Person:Hemant OgaleAmboli, Taluka: Sawantwadi
Dist: Sindhudurg
Maharashtra State,India
Mobile: 99707 35635
94238 56724
(subject to, within range)
E-mail: hemantogale@yahoo.co.in
Tel.: (Resort)02363 240505
(Resi) 02363 240229
Whistling Woods Resort Photos
Travelers & Team:
14th August 2013 (Wednesday) at Whistling Woods Resort
We were 4 travelers including me as Dr. Akash Akinwar (Mumbai), Dr. Dinesh Sutar (Sindhudurga, Konkan), Mr. Girish Giri (Sangli) & Mr. Anshul Pande (Mumbai)
We left Sangli at 7am in the morning on 14th morning & reached Whistling Woods Resort at around 10am on 14th morning.
The weather was absolutely pleasant & cold. There was fog everywhere and we could feel the magic in the air. The Hotel staff was outstanding for their services and arrangements.
The owner of Whistling Woods Resort MR. HEMANT OGALE himself is a Nature Lover, Naturalist, Snake Catcher & Photographer. Believe me there is nothing precious than Hemant Ogale as he has immense knowledge about Nature, Animals, Snakes & Amphibians. On our request Mr. Hemant Ogale got ready to take us for thrilling NIGHT TRAIL for snake & Amphibians photography.Not only this Mr. Hemant Ogale promised us to show his presentation on Snakes & Frogs for our better understanding & making it easy to find out Snakes & Frogs during Night Trail.
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| Foggy Morning around Whistling Woods Resort |
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| Foggy Morning around Whistling Woods Resort |
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| Foggy Morning around Whistling Woods Resort |
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| Foggy Morning around Whistling Woods Resort |
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| Foggy Morning around Whistling Woods Resort |
DAY 1: Morning Trail in Search of Snakes & Frog:14th August 2013 (Wednesday)
The main aim of our morning trail was to find out Green Vine Snake & Malabar Pit Viper. With this aim we four travelers started our journey.
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| Dr. Akash Akinwar |
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| From Left Dr. Akash Akinwar, Girish Giri & Anshul Pande |
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| From Left Girish Giri, Anshul Pande & Dr. Dinesh Sutar |
After 30 minutes Dr. Dinesh Sutar spotted first Snake of the trail ...It was Green Vine Snake.For this Dr. Dinesh was honored with a title of "HERO OF THE MORNING TRAIL!" (as decided by us)
Green Vine Snake: The green vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), is a slender green tree snake found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Not to be confused withOxybelis fulgidus, "green vine snake" found in Central and South America.
The green vine snake is diurnal and mildlyvenomous. The reptile normally feeds on frogs andlizards using its binocular vision to hunt. They are slow moving, relying on camouflaging as a vine in foliage.
The snake expands its body when disturbed to show a black and white scale marking. Also, they may open their mouth in threat display and point their head in the direction of the perceived threat.
There is a widespread myth in parts of southern India that the species uses its pointed head to blind its human victims.
Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)
Photography By: Dr. Akash Akinwar
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
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| Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) |
Snake Handling & Photography Session:
One of my aim of this tour was to remove the fear of Snakes from the heart & mind of Mr. Girish Giri, Dr. Dinesh Sutar & Anshul Pande and to make them understand that they are not harmful as they are projected in our society. Myself being a Snake Catcher could easily handle & catch snakes so it was my job to show them Snakes closely & to let them Handle it.
NIGHT TRAIL...The Thrilling & Adventurous Trail !!!
After the grand success of day trail everyone was very happy & really excited for Night Trail..the main attraction of our Amboli tour. So it was decided to leave resort at 9 pm for night trail. Before that as per his commitment Mr. Hemant Ogale came at our room with his laptop to show us all his photographs of Snakes & Amphibians and many more beautiful creatures. It was a great Informative session for all of us. After that we all left for night trail.
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| Owner of Whistling Woods Resort Mr. Hemant Ogale giving us information |
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| Naturalist Mr. Hemant Ogale giving us information |
NIGHT TRAIL:
We spotted 3 Green Vine Snakes, 5 Malabar Pit Vipers, Wrinkled Frogs, Malabar Gliding Frog, Frog Eggs, Deccan Banded Gecko, Caranculla (Spider) and many more creatures as follows:
MALABAR PIT VIPER: Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) Common Names: Rock Viper,Malabar Rock Pit Viper. Malabar Pit Viper is a venomous pit viper species endemic to southwestern India.
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
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| Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus) |
WRINKLED FROG:
FROG EGGS:
Frog’s embryos are typically surrounded by several layers of gelatinous material. When several eggs are clumped together, they are collectively known as frogspawn.
The jelly provides support and protection while allowing the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia. It absorbs moisture and swells on contact with water.
After fertilization, the innermost portion liquefies to allow free movement of the developing embryo.
The jelly provides support and protection while allowing the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia. It absorbs moisture and swells on contact with water.
After fertilization, the innermost portion liquefies to allow free movement of the developing embryo.
DEVELOPING TADPOLES INSIDE THE EGGS:
This photo is showing developing tadpoles inside the eggs.
A tadpole (also called pollywog or porwigle) is the larval stage in the life cycle of anamphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.
A tadpole (also called pollywog or porwigle) is the larval stage in the life cycle of anamphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.
1) The Bombay Leaf -toed Gecko (Hemidactalaus prashadi)
2) Brook's House Gecko (Hemidactalaus brokii)
2) Brook's House Gecko (Hemidactalaus brokii)
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm. Most geckos cannot blink. They have a fixed lens within each iris that enlarges in darkness.
Geckos are unique among lizards in their vocalizations. They use chirping sounds in social interactions with other geckos. They are the most species-rich group of lizards, with approximately 1,500 different species worldwide.The New Latin gekko and English geckostem from the Indonesian-Malay gēkoq, which is imitative of the sound the animals make.
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| The Bombay Leaf -toed Gecko (Hemidactalaus prashadi) |
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| Brook's House Gecko (Hemidactalaus brokii) |
Thank you for reading & watching this blog.
Until next time...!
Dr. Akash Akinwar
Writer, Photographer & Traveler
Email ID: drakashakinwar@gmail.com
Website: www.drakashakinwar.com
Amboli truly is a paradise destination for Nature Lovers, in monsoon. I visited it in 1991 when it was a very small village - a hamlet lost in greenery. It was a pristine gem of jungle and today it still supports a lot of biodiversity, but the tourism is encroaching with cement jungle gaining over the nature. However, your information and very beautiful photographs are very much encouraging that not everything is lost. Still the grandeur of the place is enticing. Many thanks for providing Hemant's info, which ll be useful for all those who like to visit n venture Amboli wilds..... Looking forward for more and more blogs from you Sirji......
ReplyDeleteMakrndkaka
An important topic-I'm so happy to see it addressed. Thanks for sharing these pictures of Amboli. There are many places to see in Amboli. There are many places to see in Amboli like Mahadev gad, Nagatta falls, & Hiranyakeshi temple.
ReplyDeleteReading this blog was like actually traveling there....enjoyed every bit of it...thank you dr akash
ReplyDeleteReading this blog was like actually traveling there....enjoyed every bit of it...thank you dr akash
ReplyDeleteYour data and experience is important for first time visitors to Amboli
ReplyDeletedont post handling pics of any snakes / reptiles
ReplyDeleteRemove those photos as soon as possible
ReplyDelete