Monsoon in Mangroves

Though I am not a frequent visitor to this place but ignoring the dramatic sky of Sunderbans during monsoon seems to be difficult job when you are located in a close proximity of this location during the rainy seasons. Sunderbans national park, the largest mangrove ecosystem with complex network of tidal waterways and mudflats has always been an attraction for any wildlife lover or travel enthusiastic.It is also the home of elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Sighting a tiger in Sunderbans is entirely different story from sighting tigers in other national parks of India. Your patience, few tracking skills, time spent in the field and above all your luck has to be there to see a wild tiger in Sunderbans.
Out of many trips to Sunderban’s I have been lucky to spot Tigers few years back in 2014 August. A tiger cub is crossing a mangrove patch.In those times, spotting a tiger seems to be impressive work. Fortunately now in recent times, frequency of sighting has increased a lot due to the hard work of many wildlife enthusiastic. Here is the couple of tiger images from that SIGHTING.
There is no doubt that Royal Bengal Tigers are the main attraction in Sunderbans but this world heritage site has many things to offer other than the almighty. Traveling and staying overnight in the boat,spotting the various species of flora and fauna,enjoying the low and high tidal waterways,getting drenched in the monsoon rains all these made this trip a memorable journey. We often ignore small things happening in national parks while looking for target species. A lot of things to see and explore. Waiting for my next trip there. 🙂

A Blue Fiddler Crab scouring the muddy patch of mangroves — A Blue Fiddler Crab scouring in the muddy patch of mangroves

Sunderbans Mangroves in the rains during monsoon — Mangroves roots ‘pneumatophore’ in Sunderbans

Bengal monitor Lizrd on the river bank in Sunderbans national park — Bengal monitor Lizrd on the river bank

Sunderbans tiger reserve sky in the monsoon — Sunderbans sky in the monsoon

A Bengal Monitor Lizard resting upon a tree during high tides in the mangroves in Sunderbans — A Bengal Monitor Lizard resting upon a tree during high tides.

Pugmarks of Fishing catin the mangroves of Sunderbans — Seems to be a Fishing cat pugmarks

Indian Mugger Crocodile resting on the river banks in Sunderbans tiger reserve — Indian Mugger Crocodile resting on the river banks

Collard Kingfisher - a common species of the mangroves of Sunderbans — Collard Kingfisher – a medium sized kingfisher common in the mangroves

Mangroves patch during the low tide when the water stops failing.

Sunset in mangroves of Sunderbans tiger reserve — Sunset

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