The Enchanted Neighbourhood Forest

The Elusive Shama photographed in the neighbourhood forest

On the 27th of November 2021, three of my friends and I visited the BM Kaval Agara forest for the first time, for a session of bird watching and bird photography. When I heard the term ‘forest’ I thought it was going to be a long drive but within 45 minutes we had reached the destination. This enchanted forest is within 25 kilometres from the Silicon Valley of India - Bangalore. As soon as we got down from the car I started to feel like I have reached home. The place is filled with life. The early morning light rays which were fighting against the canopy to reach the ground gave the woods a magical look. 

The sight of the lush green forest, the smell of decaying leaf, the sound of the burbling streams on the forest floor and the feel when a cool breeze brushes past your skin makes it feel like it is heaven. We could hear hundreds of birds calling, crying and singing to their hearts content in this beautiful habitat. 

The BM Kaval Agara forest is connected to a private school known as The Valley School due to which the forest is more commonly known as The Valley School forest. The four of us stood focusing our eyes to detect any movement and strained our ears to differentiate the calls. Suddenly I found the all four of to be facing west. That was the most soothing call we had ever heard and it sure was loved to hide. Guys, that call belongs to the White Rumped Shama, said one of my friend just then the bird called again and now the four of us started to move on our instincts to find this elusive beauty. The white Rumped Shama is an extremely shy bird and just getting a glimpse of this beauty can be considered lucky. Every time the bird sang, it would mean that we were a step closer to find the bird.

When looking for birds it is very important to move like a cat quickly and quietly. My eyes were still focused for any movement with my ears being sensitive for the slightest sound. I was walking on a forest floor with many obstacles but not once did I trip, I could feel how my body was working in perfect synchronisation while I was looking for this master in hide and seek.

It was nearly two hours we were looking for it and I could sense that my friends were not very far away which meant that our guesses of the birds location was almost similar. What makes it even more challenging is the fact that the birds do not sit in the same place, they keep moving. It is very important to be optimistic while looking for them because the only motivation we have to look for them is the hopes of finding it. Please God, let me have a look I prayed and just then my eyes caught movement approximately 30 yards away to the south. The cat inside me started the prowl. 

The closer I got, the movements started to get more and more clearer and I could see the White, Black and orange colours with a fairly long tail and confirm that it was the Elusive Shama itself. I was nearly 10 yards away when the bird decided to come and sit where it was partially visible for 3 seconds before flying away and trust me those were the most precious 3 seconds of the day for me. The place had very bad light due to the thick canopy and I had to squat to get a clearer look and shot of the bird.I managed a shot which is filled by the best memories and emotions.

We all re-grouped soon after and started walking back towards the car after spending the best 3 hours in this mystical woods. There is this artistic branch I was looking at while walking from a distance and imagined a bird sitting there. I really have no idea how but one of the most colourful and beautiful bird came and sat there for a whole minute giving us ample opportunities to photograph the bird. What is interesting is that the branch itself was as beautiful as the bird which was perched on it.  This place is a paradise for birds and a gift for bird watchers and photographers. 

I visited the forest couple of times in the next two months with my family and had the best time bird watching and tracking along with them in the woods. Unfortunately, the woods have been sealed permanently now due to the act of some unethical photographers.