Eagle in Gum Tree

Namaste Earthlings>>>>> I'm here in Bandogah (sp) National Park. The scene here is so laid back that I just want to stay and read my books on the veranda of my room for another week. But I only planned for four days. Yesterday I entered the park, the park is heavily restricted, you can only enter in a jeep and you must be accompanied by a park guide. The main attraction for me is the possibility of seeing a Bengal Tiger. Well I did see a ass end of a sleeping Bengal Tiger. (For some reason I cannot upload photos onto the blog. I keep trying, using different techniques but nothing works.) So because I only saw the butt of a Tiger I went back this morning, but today was a Tiger bust, although I did see a Slothbear, Eagle, Spotted Deer, Samsa Deer, Barking Deer, countless birds, including a kingfisher and a hornbill. So the I-Ching says, perseverance furthers, so I'm going back this afternoon. Also, there are Langur Monkeys in the park, these monkeys have a relationship with the deer and they act as an alarm against an approaching Tiger. So this morning the guide heard an alarm call from the monkeys and we assume that the Tiger is on the hill (napping now) and will come down this afternoon to water. We will wait, and hopefully, we will see. This park was first used during the Mogul rule of India as a hunting grounds for the King and his court. The geology and fauna are dramatic at every turn, an elevated jungle, with lots of Teak, Mangrove and Gum trees, plus hundreds that I don't know the names of. Oh, and there is Bamboo.

Yes I rode the Elephant to view the Tiger. She is asleep and about 3-4 years old. Because I am running out of time I am only sending a couple of photos. I need to get back to my room and rest for the afternoon hunt. The morning Safari starts at 5:30am. The title of the post, 'Eagle in Gum Tree' comes from a stop we made yesterday, here in the jungles of India, resting on the bar of the jeep looking at an Eagle through my 600 rupee (12$) binoculars, the sounds of the Hornbill echoing over the meadow, how wonderful is life, how lucky am I.