Blue-eyed Bush Frog

When id decided to go photographing in the Sharavathi region of the Western Ghats, the Blue-eyed Bush Frog Philautus neelanethrus now known as the Coorg Yellow Bush Frog Raorchestes luteolus was amongst the top of my species list.

Blue-eyed Bush Frog Philautus Neelanethrus

This species features under the 'endangered' category in the IUCN list of endangered species and is endemic to India. The bright blue ring running around its protruding eyes is what gives the frog its common name, its scientific name neelanthrus mean 'blue eyes' in Sanskrit. This species is considered a 'new' species as it was discovered only in 2007.

Blue-eyed Bush Frog Philautus Neelanethrus on a leaf

The blue-eyed bush frog avoids barren lands and areas involving human activity such as agricultural fields or urbanisation.
The main threats to this species are loss of habitat due to building of dams and conversation of forests to agricultural land.

EQUIPMENT USED:
Nikon D3S
AF-S Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8
Nikon SB-700 speedlight


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For tailored wildlife photography trips please get in touch at: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

In search of frogs and snakes - Herping expeditions

Its been a while since I posted here, actually a long time. The last few months have changed my photography a tad bit, I have developed a new love for macro photography and photographing snakes and frogs, yes SNAKES and FROGS.

There is so little known about these species that one hardly notices that beautiful little frog, not more than 1.5-2 cm in length sitting right beside the path one is walking. Snakes on the other hand seem to scare the hell out of people. Even non-venomous snakes are often mercilessly killed. I think a little knowledge, even basics, can save the lives of a number of snakes.

To start of with, I shall post a couple of images from my earlier trips to Shimoga District and Uttara Kannada(North Canara) both in the state of Karnataka.

Green Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta

A closeup of a green vine snake to show it camouflage in it surroundings

Malabar Pit Viper Trimeresurus malabaricus flicking its tongue

Closeup of an Indian Bullfrog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus

Stay tuned for more detailed posts on individual species!!

EQUIPMENT USED:
Nikon D3S
AF-S Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8
Nikon SB-700 speedlight

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For tailored wildlife photography trips please get in touch at: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

Dhole - Indian Wild Dog

The Dhole, also know as the Indian Wild Dog is one of the most successful hunters from the Indian Forests. They have been placed under the 'endangered' category by IUCN due to loss of habitat and possible transfer of diseases from domestic and ferral dogs.

They are highly social animals, and hunt in packs, often chasing their prey to exhaustion. They often start tearing into their prey even before it is dead. Since they often travel in numbers, they are bold enough to take on much larger animals, like gaurs, sambhars and often chase tigers and leopards away.

Here, after finishing an evening safari at Bandipur National Park, while returning to our lodge around 6:30 PM, we came across two dholes sitting right next to the highway. The light was quite low, and I was thrilled at trying out a few High ISO shots with the D3S. Here is one of them.

Dhole, Bandipur National Park, May 2013

Equipment used:
Nikon D3S
Nikkor 600mm F4 VR

For info on wildlife photography in India, feel free to drop in a mail, or leave a message on my Facebook page mentioned below.

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All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher - A dream setting!!

A beautiful setting is what all of us photographers crave for, and here I happened to get just that, an image of a beautiful Tickell's Blue Flycatcher at Nandi Hills, Bangalore.

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Bangalore, April 2013

Equipment used:
Nikon D3S
Nikkor 600mm F4 VR
Gitzo 1325 tripod
Gitzo GH5380SQR ball head

For info on birding in Bangalore, feel free to drop in a mail, or leave a message on my Facebook page mentioned below.

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All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

The Takeoff - Blue-tailed Bee-eater

An image of a blue-tailed bee-eater, just before it takes off.

A blue-tailed bee-eater prepares to take off, Bangalore, May 2013

Equipment used:
Nikon D3S
Nikkor 600mm F4 VR
Gitzo 1325 tripod
Gitzo GH5380SQR ball head

For info on birding in Bangalore, feel free to drop in a mail, or leave a message on my Facebook page mentioned below.

Join me on Facebook: Angad Achappa Photography

All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

Greenish Warbler

The friendliest bird i have 'EVER' worked with. :) So friendly was this specimen, that as time went by, foot after foot it hopped and came closer till it was sitting on my shoe. Never have I experienced something like this before.

Here is one of the images of this Greenish Warbler that I liked. Hope you like it too.

Greenish Warbler, Bangalore, April 2013

Equipment used:
Nikon D3S
Nikkor 600mm F4 VR
Gitzo 1325 tripod
Gitzo GH5380SQR ball head








For info on birding in Bangalore, feel free to drop in a mail, or leave a message on my facebook page mentioned below.

Join me on Facebook: Angad Achappa Photography

All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

Where do i land? - Blue-tailed Bee-eaters

Another wonderful trip it was to the riverbed close to Mysore on our way to Bandipur.

Blue-tailed Bee-eaters

After waiting for quite a bit, these birds arrived one by one. I was thrilled when three were perched, never expecting a fourth one to appear. I really liked this moment where it almost looks like the fourth bird is pondering as to where to land.

Equipment used:
Nikon D3S
Nikkor 600mm F4 VR
Gitzo 1325 tripod
Gitzo GH5380SQR ball head

Join me on Facebook: Angad Achappa Photography

All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

The bug knows where to HIDE! - Indian Roller

Here is an image that i made sometime ago of an Indian Roller, since I was using my 600mm I was quite far away from the bird and did not notice anything unusual. Only on getting back home and reviewing the image on my monitor did I realize that there was a tiny bug under the rollers beak, hence making me give the post its name 'The bug knows where to HIDE'.

You will find more info about Indian Rollers in my OLDER POST.

Indian Roller in golden light

Nikon D3S + Nikkor 600mm F4 VR

1/1000sec, F4, ISO-1000

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All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com

The Surprised Tiger

Heya!!

Earlier this month I wisited my favourite place, Bandipur yet again. This time we were really lucky spotting this guy, who looked solidly built for his age(young).

This guy actually was as surprised to see us as we were to see him. At a distance of 10m, tight portraits were all I could make. Nonetheless a fantastic sighting it was!

Bengal Tiger, Karnataka, India, May-2013

Nikon D3S + Nikkor 600mm F4 VR

1/320sec, F4, ISO-1600 @ 600mm Handheld

2013 © Angad Achappa

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All Images are Copyrighted Angad Achappa and may not be used in any form, website or print/online media without written permission of the Photographer. For any inquiry for the photographs please contact: angadachappaphotography@hotmail.com