Ramasagara & Avani Hills Trip

 Another long-distance road trip, another adventure! This time, it was a first-time visit to the serene Ramasagara Lake near Kolar, with a spontaneous detour to the historic temples of Avani Hills. With a good friend for company, we soaked in the landscapes, discovered incredible wildlife, and ticked off several lifers along the way. Here’s a glimpse of our journey through stunning vistas, rich history, and unforgettable sightings.

~~~
We kicked off our journey at 4:30 AM, navigating through the early morning city traffic before hitting the smooth expressway. The transition from urban chaos to the quiet countryside was seamless as we cruised through the cool morning air. The 110 km drive took us just 1.5 hours, thanks to some well-maintained roads and minimal traffic at that hour.

The changing landscapes—from bustling streets to open farmlands and winding village roads—made for a scenic and refreshing drive. To give you a glimpse of the journey, here’s a dashcam video in 4x speed, capturing the essence of the ride.

~~~
As we neared our destination, we witnessed a breathtaking sight—the rising sun perfectly framed by the silhouette of a bare tree branch, as if gently caught in its grasp.

~~~
The towering palm trees too were reluctant to let go of the sun.

~~~
Tiny birds perched the upper limbs too, were soaking in the first light of the day, just like us.

~~~
Ramasagara Lake and its surroundings span an impressive 156 hectares—a vast expanse of water and wilderness. However, much of it remains inaccessible, as the real treasures of this lake, the birds, inhabit small islands scattered across the water. Trekking around the lake wouldn’t get us close enough, so we needed another way.

Fortunately, we had managed to get in touch with a lone boatman who operates in the area. Upon reaching the lake at 7 AM, we gave him a call—only to realize we had just woken him up! From a distance, we could spot his boat resting on the shore, waiting as patiently as we were for the day's adventure to begin.

~~~
While waiting for the boatman, we spotted a rare House Sparrow—once common in our city but now a rare sight. A nostalgic and unexpected start to our birding.

~~~
A Baya Weaver greeted us while we waited.

~~~
As we ventured into the lake, our first stop was a rocky island. 

~~~
As we approached, river terns soared above, asserting their claim over the island.

~~~
This failed river tern egg signals the end of the breeding season, where only the fittest have survived.

~~~
Disappointed at not capturing a river tern in a sitting pose, we moved ahead and spotted this Indian spot-billed duck.

~~~
The long-legged black-winged stilt stood gracefully, seemingly meditating on a single leg.

~~~
Focusing was a challenge from the moving boat, especially with the vibrations from the motor. This was the best I could capture of the Pied Kingfisher.

~~~
As we drifted along the water, a grey heron took flight from a weathered perch.

~~~
A tangled perch for a restless flock—Barn Swallows clung to the spiky branches while I clung to my camera, battling the boat’s constant tremor!

~~~
Birding from a boat gives you a whole new perspective. The distant shore, a hazy mirage. 

~~~
"Move fast, no time to quack around!" These Indian Spot-billed Ducks looked like they just realized they forgot an important meeting.

~~~
The Grey Herons remained patient, silent, and precise.

~~~
And there it was—the first lifer of the day. A Common Greenshank, poised and alert, waded through the shallows.

~~~
Perched on a gnarled branch, the Common Kingfisher sat like a jewel against the muted backdrop of the water.

~~~
Perched on the sun-bleached branches, the Little Cormorants surveyed the still waters.

~~~
After a short ride, we reached another tiny island.  The boatman, with a smile, showed us the best way to step onto the shore: a seated swivel and gentle leg swing.  It looked easier than it actually was!

~~~
While exploring the shoreline, this black-winged stilt posed perfectly for a photograph. 

~~~
Guess what?  This small island gave me my second lifer!  A Small Pratincole, with its beautiful light feathers and those cool black markings on its wings.  I was so excited to see it!

~~~
The island provided the perfect opportunity to photograph this stunning bird. I clicked many photos, hoping to capture its beauty and delicate features.

~~~
Hidden amongst the grass and rocks, I discovered a pratincole nest.  Two lost eggs lay beside the remnants of hatched shells, hinting at the recent arrival of new chicks.

~~~
I stumbled upon a River Tern nest, a simple scrape lined with twigs and small stones. The nest held a clutch of eggs, but it appeared they were unhatchable.  I couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong.

~~~
As I scanned the sky for River Terns, two elegant stilts unexpectedly flew into the frame.  Their graceful flight provided a beautiful distraction.

~~~
A distant River Tern was spotted flying above a small island.  The sight was enough to immediately change our course, and we headed straight for it.

~~~
As we neared the island, we saw an Asian Openbill.  However, my thoughts were primarily on the terns, hoping they were still around.

~~~
We also observed several Grey Herons gathered on the small island.

~~~
They're definitely gossiping about the single guy... 

~~~
We finally got our River Tern!  And it was sitting down, too!  After all that searching, it was great to see it resting like this.

~~~
A delightful bonus was this Wood Sandpiper, spotted along the shoreline.

~~~
We captured one last shot of the Black-winged Stilt before heading back where we had left our car.

~~~
No sooner had we settled into the car than this vibrant Western Yellow Wagtail appeared, seemingly to say goodbye.

~~~
After a satisfying day of birding, we packed up our gear and headed to Avani Hills, about 30 kms from Ramasagara. Here's the dashcam footage in 4x speed.

~~~
At the foothills of Avani Hills lies the Ramalingeshwara group of temples, a captivating collection of ancient Hindu shrines. These temples, showcasing a blend of Dravidian and other architectural styles, are believed to have been constructed over several centuries, with significant contributions from the Chola (10th-13th centuries) and Vijayanagara (14th-17th centuries) periods. Intricate carvings of deities and mythological scenes adorn the weathered stone, offering a glimpse into the region's rich historical and artistic heritage.

~~~
Close by, above the Ramalingeshwara temple complex, lies the path leading to the Valmiki Ashram shrine. This is believed to be the site where Lav and Kush, the twin sons of the Hindu god Ram and his wife Sita, were born. 

~~~
The path leading to the Valmiki Ashram shrine, the birthplace of Lav and Kush, involves a 650-step climb. While the vibrant mural at the base of the path hints at the site's significance, the prospect of a two-hour ascent led me to postpone the climb for another day.

~~~
After our visit to Avani Hills, we began our return journey to Bangalore. Here's a glimpse of our drive back, captured in 4x speed dashcam footage.

~~~
I really enjoyed sharing this journey with you.  I hope you found it interesting!  I'd love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment below!