TADOBA NEVER DISAPPOINTS

 18-19 MAY 2018, revisited Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve yet once again, this time with the exception that instead of the core area, we chose to stick to the buffer zone, entering either from the Kolara Gate or the Madnapur Gate.On 18 May morning we entered through the Kolara Gate at 5:30 AM and were ambling towards the Zunabai Waterhole where the the family of the Zunabai tigress was last seen the previous night, when the Zunabai female and her three cubs emerged right next to our Gypsy making their way through the thick bamboo foliage, to the waterhole in a circuitous way. We followed them for a few minutes and attempted taking photographs of the group - a task made near impossible by the dense foliage obstructing our views and the very low pre-sunrise light available. Soon they all disappeared in to the dense jungle and we hurried on to the waterhole. After waiting patiently for nearly  55 minutes in eager expectation, the rewards started flowing - first one cub - then the second and then the third cub emerged out of the jungle and spent time at the water hole for a first round of drinks and frolic! Then all three re-disappeared into the jungle and another round of patient waiting followed.

Meanwhile, there was another prize waiting for us - first a Paradise Flycatcher (white morph) made an appearance in the distant bamboo grove way behind the water-hole; then after a while more. a PFC  in rufous morph appeared and kept us company.