The twelve of us trekked through the thick Annamallai forest. It was cool, and green. As we climbed the path became steep and less wooded. We were soon on a narrow and rocky ridge.
Behind us lay the thick forest of bamboo and teak. Out and down.....down, over the opposite side of our ridge, there was jungle as far as the eye could see. Thick pristine jungle. The breeze felt good, and we sat on a huge boulder to eat sandwiches, and drink water.
In the distance, we heard a sambar call...........warning call, or mating time?
The birds were everywhere!
Suddenly, we heard a "whoosh! whoosh, WHOOOOSH!" from behind us. We turned to watch a sight I've never forgotten! A pair of enormous Malabar Pied Hornbill flew directly up towards us, then 20 feet above our heads, and over the ridge top. They didnt slow down or swoop onto a branch, but continued ..........Huge wings flapped strongly as they descended down the other side, and we stood awestruck in silence, taking in the majesty of those fabulous yellow white and black wings as they disappeared from view into the valley below.
None of us could speak for a good ten minutes.
Awesome sight!
Behind us lay the thick forest of bamboo and teak. Out and down.....down, over the opposite side of our ridge, there was jungle as far as the eye could see. Thick pristine jungle. The breeze felt good, and we sat on a huge boulder to eat sandwiches, and drink water.
In the distance, we heard a sambar call...........warning call, or mating time?
The birds were everywhere!
Suddenly, we heard a "whoosh! whoosh, WHOOOOSH!" from behind us. We turned to watch a sight I've never forgotten! A pair of enormous Malabar Pied Hornbill flew directly up towards us, then 20 feet above our heads, and over the ridge top. They didnt slow down or swoop onto a branch, but continued ..........Huge wings flapped strongly as they descended down the other side, and we stood awestruck in silence, taking in the majesty of those fabulous yellow white and black wings as they disappeared from view into the valley below.
None of us could speak for a good ten minutes.
Awesome sight!
Comments
I vividly remember you describing the loud noise the hornbills make when they take flight, from one of the EWC sessions! :-)
Enjoying your blog... the book's out in Dec, right
I'll write about the elephant and calf in the canal, next time! That was a touching experience, wasnt it?!