During a trek to Kalladi from Muthappanpuzha, we passed through some un-spoilt forest region to the eastern side of Kozhikode district, adjoining Wayanad. It was raining for most part of the trek, making it a wet and wild trek! Though, we did not spot any wild life as such, it was quite an experience observing the small wonders of the forest. I was carrying only the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens as I normally do on most treks and was using it as portrait, macro as well as landscape. This is usually the only practically usable lens thanks to the low weight, good build, faster aperture and a reasonable macro:

The group of bracket fungi were right on our trail. Lighting was very minimal because of the thick canopy and the cloudy climate. But, the little sunlight which came through the canopy formed beautiful patterns after getting reflected from the wet floor. The camera was set to manual mode, handheld for a f/4, ISO-80, 1/20s exposure.

The millipede was spotted sitting on a tree trunk and while I was trying to get a full length shot of it, our guide Josettan moved it to a convenient location so that I can comfortably shoot! Immediately, it curled ... but well ... it still was not a bad frame. The light was even less for this shot and I had to move to ISO-1600 with a f/3.2 aperture for a 1/15s exposure. The settings were too blur-prone at 32mm focal length and I had to try a few times to get a usable shot.

After getting down on the Wayanad side on second day, we soon reached a jeep track connecting to the estates at Thollayiram. I spotted this colorful snail as we were nearing civilization at Kalladi village. Light was not as scarce here and I could use ISO-200 this time. I also chose a more appropriate f/6.3 (the lens performs best around this aperture) and settled down for a 1/15s exposure.

The pics would have come up a lot better, had I carried a macro lens and a tripod, but that was always diffcult for a hard trek, especially with rain thrown in to the mix! I would still happily take whatever pictures I got and the wonderful time we spent in the forest.

Banasura reservoir dominated the landscape for most part of our trek to the Banasura peak, but it did look further and further away as we climbed. The looming rains, dark clouds around the resevoir and the silhouette of far-away hills made it even more dramatic. At this point, Kattukunnu (Windy hill - from where we started climbing) looked like a small hillock:

This pic also comes with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens, handheld in Manual mode, with a settings of ISO-100, f/9 and a 1/100s exposure. I used the RAW image out of the camera and saved it as Monochrome JPEG with higher intensity in the mid-tones, using Canon's Digital Photo Professional software.

A trek to Banasura peak in Wayanad, Kerala, starts from the foothills of Kattukunnu (windy hills in Malayalam). We first crossed a stream and then started ascending another hill on the other side of the valley. It was a beautiful sunny day and the Banasura reservoir was visible for most part of the trek. As we gained altitude we could also see the Kattukunnu on the other side of the valley.

I used the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens for this shot, fitted with the Tiffen 82mm B+W Graduated Neutral Density filter to take care of the brighter sky. Camera was set to Av mode, f/9, ISO-100 for a 1/400s exposure. I used RAW mode, developed three JPEGs out of it and did an HDR merge using GIMP.

Chembra peak is in Wayanad district of Kerala, which may be scaled from the town of Meppadi, about 12kms off Kalpetta. During our trek to Chembra, the weather was at its best with a bright blue sky and white clouds hovering around the peak:

This is the first close up view of Chembra, as we were driving towards the foothills from Meppadi town. I used the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens for this shot, handheld, connected with a Tiffen 82mm GND filter. The GND filter is 2 stops darker at the upper side of the frame. The camera settings were Av mode, ISO-100, f/6.3 for a 1/400s exposure.

After an hours trek, we reached the heart shaped lake, which has not dried for years. The shape of the lake is not very obvious, until we started climbing again towards the peak.

I had set the ISO to 800 for an earlier shot and forgot to change it back to 100. Otherwise, the shot is taken with the same Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L lens, attached with the Tiffen 82mm GND filter. I used f/5.6 for this shot, but at ISO-800, the exposure came to1/2500s.

I used RAW mode for both the shots and used the Canon's Digital Photo Professional software to get three different JPEG images (one normal exposure, one 2 stops brighter and the other 2 stops darker). The pics were combined to a semi-HDR image using GIMP (see 'HDR image from Golden Temple, Bylakuppe' for information on how to do HDR merging).

We had visited Soochipara falls a day before our trek to Chembra. The falls was a very good experience, especially the rollicking in the pool, with the early morning chill and the spray of water from the falls. But, my photo opportunity came on our way back, when I spotted water droplets accumulated on a spider web.

I took out the Canon EF 180mm f/3.5L macro lens for the shot and then only realized that I had left the tripod in the car. Light was a little low for the shot I wanted, but with ISO-800 and a -2 step exposure compensation, I could manage some shots handheld in Av mode. With an aperture of f/7.1, the best for this lens, the exposure time came to 1/200s. In the end, I was glad to get this result without using a tripod.

Gundlupet is indeed a gold mine for a photographer - if you are bored of taking portraits and village life, you can always try a few landscapes and thats exactly what I did! The place usually is covered with marigold and sunflower fields duirng the beginning of monsoon (july - august), offering wonderful landscapes (see 'Marigold Fields' for an earlier post) and this time I was fortunate to have clear weather to accompany the landscape.

The picture is taken with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens, handheld in A-Dep mode, ISO-100 for a f/6.3, 1/1000s exposure. I had never been happy with my landscape pictures, but this one I believe is some improvement!

It has happened a zillion times ... everytime I am on the road and I meet the rain ... it feels like its the first time. So, till I meet the next first time ...

The pic is taken on one of our many trips to Kozhikode, just before entering the Bandipur wild life sanctuary. It comes from a Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L wide angle zoom lens, set at 35mm, handheld in Av mode, f/7.1, ISO-100 for a 1/125s exposure.

Every time I come back from Kozhikode, I look forward to passing via Gundlupet. If the time of the day is right, there are many photo opportunities! The red soil and the evening sunlight usually gives a nice background for the pictures as well. I had been posting pictures from this beautiful town in Kerala - Karnataka border, near Bandipur national park (See 'Village Women carrying Water', 'Red soil and Farmers @ Gundulpet ... again!' and 'Once again in Gundulpet and Mysuru' for some of the earlier posts) and this one adds to a growing list:

I was inside the car aided with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L telephoto lens, handheld, with the camera set in Manual mode. I used ISO-800 with f/6.3 and 1/500s exposure for this shot.

The girl was standing near the field and talking to the people in the farm. The shot comes without any change in settings.

This girl was also in the field and saw me just before I clicked! The settings stayed same for this shot as well.

Indian Roller is usually confused by some people with the Kingfisher, because of the common color. I have posted Indian Roller and Kingfisher pics earlier (see 'Indian Roller aka Blue Jay' and 'Kingfishers @ Eranhikkal'), but there are birds which always get attention.

I spotted this guy near Aliyar on our way back from Valparai, sitting in a tree with coconut trees in the background. I could take these shots sitting inside the car and used the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L telephoto lens. The camera was handheld and set in Av mode, f/6.3, ISO-800 for a 1/640s exposure.

A day before our return from Valparai, we were told about the possibility of spotting Niligiri Tahrs at the ghats, if we started early enough. This was one animal I have missed in my previous treks to Mukurthi and Meesapulimala, so I badly wanted an early start.

Though, we started early, soon I got carried away in the beauty of the misty tea estates and ended up taking too many breaks. By the time we reached the ghats it was already about 9 and the sun was already up. I almost gave up on spotting Niligiri Tahr ... but this time I got lucky!

People coming up reported that there is a herd of Nilgiri Tahrs gracing near the next hair pin bend. I parked the vehicle at a safe place and took out the camera and walked down to spot this handsome fella sitting in the road side!

The pic is taken with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L telephoto lens, handheld in Av mode, f/6.3, ISO-800 for a 1/500s exposure.

As people started coming closer, he got up and stood there for some time looking around. The 2nd pic comes at the same setting as before, but with a 1/400s exposure.

In between he also gave me a sideways pose and a good view of the horns. The last pic comes at the same settings and exposure as the previous one.