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Since we did so well finding Tigers yesterday, we did one final foray into the park this morning hoping for possibly a Sloth Bear or Leopard. None appeared though we followed fresh tracks (pug) along the road. The landscape in Zone 2 was remarkably different. Gorges had exposed rocks along streams with clear water, denser vegetation. Spotted deer everywhere, a fresh kill, large Sambar male, left in a stream for the Tiger to resume eating later. A few good birds picked up, like Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon (looks just like its name), three Woodpeckers.
The best of the morning was on our return to the hotel in the "buffer zone", land surrounding the park. First three Painted Sandgrouse, the same color as the surrounding sand with intricate black details on their feathers. Then a small Bengal Fox scurried through the scrub. Rarely seen, lovely light fur, black tail tip, we watched it serpentine up the hill until it vanished.
After lunch we took three gypsies: open-air jeep-like vehicles with no seat belts or suspension through town, piglets, cows, and crazy traffic to the Soorwal Reservoir for more waterfowl. Here the surprise was 70+ Indian Skimmers. Globally endangered for their limited numbers, Terry has only ever seen six before today. They happily foraged near shore surrounded by Asian Openbills, tons of Coots, and of course some trash.
A good day until the skies opened and we had to go back through town, the cold wind and rain driving into our faces. We huddled behind a blanket most of the way. The last surprise was in town, music blaring, we stopped to watch a wedding celebration in the parking area outside a "hotel". Complete with white horse for the groom, sareed women energetically dancing, a dozen costumed men holding brightly lit canopies .
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