Ravindra Joisa

Trek to Satsar - a beautiful hiking trail from Gadsar - Day 5

Day 5 began with another lovely morning in the Himalayas at Gadsar. We were given permission to hike farther to Satsar, and on this particular day, we chose to hike the mountains directly in front of us. Continue hiking to the other side of the mountain range. Climbing all the way up is too difficult, so we detoured, and strolling through the meadows was well worth it. This was followed by inclement weather. The cold temperature and heavy rain made our hike quite difficult. We crossed Satsar Lake by going around it, which looked more like a marsh, and eventually arrived at the Satsar campground. After a long day, we enjoyed a wonderful evening close to the creek.

Gasdsar to Satsar Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Early in the morning, wake up to see the mist and snow-covered mountain summits. Your campsite is located deep in the valley rather than on a mountain summit. We were stranded at this campground for over two days due to severe rain. We cannot return to the beginning point to abandon this journey because we have already crossed the Gadsar pass; the only option is to walk farther and complete the expedition. Enjoy the stunning dawn photography surrounding the campground and prepare for day 5 of the Kashmir Great Lakes trip.

Previously and how to reach Satsar?

If you have not gone through the previous 4 days of trekking posts then don't forget to go through these links:

Day 1 – Journey from Srinagar to Sonamarg

Day 2 – Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai

Day 3 – Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

Day 4 - Trek from Vishnusar Lake to Gadsar

The alternative option is to begin at Naranag, a camp for a day near Harmuk mountain, and then cross the pass around Satsar. Essentially, the trial that I will be discussing over the following two days.

Crossing the dangerous Crevasse

The fifth day of hiking begins with a crossing of an ice patch bridge over a very cold creek. The water force/current was excessively strong, maybe because it had poured for two days straight. We were fortunate to notice the massive crevasse in the show patch bridge, which may be really dangerous. I made it around this massive crevasse and into the opposite side of the creek.

Ops! Wrong turn and trail

This is followed by a difficult hour-long ascent. There is a tiny route, and one false move on a rainy day with a slippery trail can be disastrous. We resumed our trek. There was some debate over whether to go farther up or stay on the same path. We just kept going for another half kilometre before realising it wasn't the path and having to go back and climb up on a separate track. The incorrect route, on the other hand, was worth the walk because of the scenery we could see from there.

The magnificent view

Beautiful landscape with mountains all around covered in meadows, and in the Himalayan mountain slopes, you will discover many little houses and a few pine trees, with smoke rising out of these huts, making this spot even more attractive. That would have been a fantastic shot for a photographer. Even though it was pouring, I managed to grab a few images. The streams on the opposite side of the mountains resembled waterfalls.

We returned to our original track and proceeded on our journey. On the slopes, you could see a few shepherds with their sheep and goats. We paused for a few minutes at one point, more like a viewpoint. This is when the valley below divided in two, one to the right and one to the left, where we needed to go. The scenery from here was breathtaking; I'd never seen such massive mountain ranges as the Himalayas before.

Stream cuts through the mountain with no exit

After then, it was more of a level trek up the mountain slopes. We went further, and there was another stream where the water entered the mountain, with no idea where the exit is. The water penetrates the mountain more like a train entering a tunnel, but there is no way out. I inquired with locals about the location of the exit, and each had their own storey. I wish I had more time to spend exploring this location. It was pouring severely outside, so I kept my cameras inside.

The enormous Satsar Lake

We pushed on, it continued to rain severely, and we were eager for some form of cover. We ate our packed lunch at an abandoned hut before continuing our journey. The Satsar lake comes next, which is made up of more than five lakes yet looks to be an one enormous lake. We resumed our journey in the rain, using a level path and hiking up and down the massive rocks. Satsar lake may seem better from above, and a drone photo would have been great. Unfortunately, this is a no-fly zone for drones. So, if you're going on the KGL hike, don't even think about getting a drone.

Satsar Campsite

After navigating all of these stones, we arrived at a little spot of ground near the Satsar lake and camped close to the stream. On three sides, the campground is surrounded by mountain peaks, and on one side, you can see the depth and the mountains below. This is the most magnificent vista since you can see the peaks hiding in the clouds below. We were seated on top of a flat stone, a bit distant from our campground, with a hot cup of soup. A wonderful spot to unwind and see nature's splendour.

Wonderful evening spent outside

We were fortunate that the rain stopped and our cameras could be used again. Most of the time, shortly after the rain, you can anticipate a clear sky for a short period of time, and I wanted to take advantage of this. We ate supper early since it was around four degrees outside at night. We spent some time outside our campground, capturing some long exposure night images. In majority of the long exposure images, the moon seemed to be the sun.

Satsar camp site at night.http://t.co/lhxmMJiaVL pic.twitter.com/22kyfL43wQ
— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) December 17, 2014

Even though it was pouring fiercely, it was another great day. Almost every minute of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek was enjoyable for me. The Great Lakes Trekking is something that everyone should undertake at least once in their lives. It is well-known for its stunning scenery and is an ideal location for professional photography. Consider viewing the video below to get a visual tour of the entire trail as well as the lovely campsites. The next day, we went on a trek from Satsar to Gangbal, which included some breathtaking scenery and a great perspective of the twin lakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8LlDOmkJtY

You may find the complete details on all days of Kashmir Great Lakes here. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Crossing the Gadsar Pass – The Breathtaking Alpine Twin Lake | Day 4

This is a long day with many kilometers to go and mountains to climb. But the nicest part is that we can't tell it's difficult because of nature's beauty. The ascent to Gadsar pass, the highest point of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, is worthwhile. It's all downhill from here until you reach a few little settlements. Along the journey, you will observe snow-capped mountains and Gadsar Lake.

Vishnusar Lake campsite

Start early from the Vishnusar lake campsite and spend a few minutes next to Vishnusar lake. Capture some of the best views from all possible angles as the water will be still in the morning, with no wind. Perfect to get the best shot of the reflection of mountains that are on the other side of Vishnusar lake.

Vishnusar Lake near Gadsar — *Vishnusar Lake, Kashmir Great Lakes, India*

How to reach Vishnusar Lake and Gadsar

Check out my previous posts for the first 3 days of trekking:

Day 1 - Journey from Srinagar to Sonamarg

Day 2 - Trek from Sonamarg to Nichnai

Day 3 - Trek from Nichnai to Vishnusar Lake

The magnificant Kishnsar Lake

Continue your journey by rising for another hour. Deep down to the left is a stream that flows from Kishnsar/Krishnasar lake at around 12,000 feet all the way down to Vishnusar lake at 11,000 feet. Krishnasar Lake is a great site to fill up your water bottles and prepare for the next hard climb. Kishansar lake has a little island that becomes more visible as you approach the Gadsar mountain. The two lakes look to be twin lakes from the summit or from Gadsar pass.

The toughest portion of the entire trail

The level area in front of Kishnsar Lake is good for walking through the meadows, followed by a difficult ascent. It's a seventy-degree incline, and you can't afford to make mistakes. Two bad steps and you'll be all the way down, and there aren't even any trees here. If it rains, this is a dangerous spot to climb; instead, camp near Kishnsar Lake and wait for the rain to cease.

Splendid view of the alpine twin lake

As you progress, don't forget to stop and turn around every now and then. The scenery is really breathtaking. The hue of the water at Kishnsar Lake indicates how deep it is. It's dark blue in some spots and greenish-blue along the island and the margins. As you climb, you can see the Gadsar peak in front of you, which appears to be a massive monolithic rock. Even though you cannot climb the mountain, you may get extremely near by using the Garsar Pass at 13,750 feet.

*Twin lake view from Gadsar pass of Kishansar and Vishnusar lake, Kashmir, India*

Garsar Pass - Crossing the highest point

As you get closer to Gadsar Pass, look back to observe the two lakes you passed over earlier. Even though there is a 1,000-foot height difference, it looks to be a twin lake and is the most stunning vista. Don't forget to take a panoramic or wide-angle photo from here. Spend some time taking photos at the Gadsar pass.

What's on the other side of Gadsar Pass

The view from the opposite side of the pass is just as lovely. To the left are snow-covered rocky mountains, while to the right are arid brown mountains. There are meadows, a stream, and a gorgeous valley in between. There will be no more climbing for the rest of the day, and it will be a gentle drop. If you're lucky, you could come upon some brightly coloured flowers in the meadows below.

View from Gadsar Pass, #Kashmir Great Lakes Himalayan Trek #India #Travel #Hiking #Photography http://t.co/1vHNS0c7b1 pic.twitter.com/BnLNZ2BKT2
— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) November 21, 2014

A plethora of streams to the left, generated by the melting snow from the snow-covered steep slopes. Continue trekking across the meadows for around 30 minutes before descending near vertically for about 10 minutes. This is where you may stop for lunch near to the stream, and it's also time to refill your water bottles.

The gorgeous Gadsar Lake

Continue your journey for another 30 minutes and you will come across another gorgeous lake, the Gadsar Lake. This lovely lake is surrounded by rugged mountains and little waterfalls. Locals advise against drinking water from Gadsar. So, just take in the scenery, take some photos, and continue your journey. This would have been a great location for camping, but you are not permitted to do so.

Continue walking down the valley. The path you take from Gadsar to the next campground will run parallel to the stream. As you go, you will come across a few native homes. They were quite helpful, and after your document check, head to your campground, where you will have to cross the stream.

We had a difficult day because we were not permitted to stay adjacent to Gadsar Lake and had to trek four to five kilometres to the next campground. This campground is within around fifteen kilometres from the front lines/war zone. It was too much to climb and walk, but it was also the most enjoyable. Trekking across the Kashmir Great Lakes is something you should do at least once in your life. On day 5, we continue our trek from Gadsar to Satsar, another gorgeous campsite. Meanwhile, watch the YouTube video to get a sense of the hike on Day 4 to Gadsar.

Trek to Vishnusar lake, the most beautiful Alpine lake - Day 3

Had an amazing experience on the first two days of Kashmir Great Lakes trekking. Day 3 is a more moderate climb, consisting of a few hours of gentle elevation going beside the towering razor-sharp peaks and rockfall region. This is followed by a level walk until we make a sharp left turn and discover the magnificent Vishnusar lake, which is at a somewhat higher elevation than the campground. The stream you'd been following all day comes from Vishnusar Lake. We set up our tent directly in front of the lake and spent the evening exploring the area.

Check out these links to know more about the first two days:

Hike from Nichnai

It was the second night we'd spent in our tent. We couldn't sleep due to the intense rain, lightning, and thunderstorm. But I still had a good time that night since I went out with my camera and tripod shortly as the rain stopped. It was a clear day, and I was able to capture a couple of low-light images.

Settlement near Nichnai campsite — *The settlement near Nichnai campsite*

Day 3 begins with a stream passing over a snow patch/bridge that is only a few minutes away from our campground. The gentle ascent to the Nachnai pass, which is a simple forty-degree ascent, follows. This was the only location where I could call home, and there was only one stick of signal strength on my network (only post-paid works and not prepaid), and it was just in one spot. It's a long trek across the fields. Enjoy the snow-covered peaks, never-before-seen mountain slopes, and breathtaking scenery. There are a couple of shepherd's cottages along the path.

Razor sharp mountains whike hiking to Vishnusar from Nichnai — *Razor-sharp* mountains while hiking to Vishnusar from Nichnai

Crossing the Nachnai Pass

Even though this is only the third day of your hike, you may feel the altitude as you reach Nachnai pass. This pass is 13500 feet above sea level. Glaciers can be found to the left. Not one, but three of them, one after the other, with sharp-edged isosceles triangle-shaped mountain peaks in between.

http://t.co/1vHNRZljMP
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, India. pic.twitter.com/5tSsobyzYG
— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) October 18, 2014

Continue walking through the meadows rich in pink and purple flowers, with little streams running alongside. You may get up and personal with these glaciers for added excitement. It's dangerous to get too near to these dangling glaciers. You can hear the snow melting and run beneath the glacier, and you can also see the stream flowing beneath the glacier. The path here may not be perfect for hiking, but the stones seem really unusual, constructed of layers like graphite. Continue walking. There is a bridge across a stream. Simply turn around and you'll see a waterfall. I'm not sure whether these waterfalls have names, but they're not small.

Arrival at Vishnusar lake

Continue walking down the valley. There are a few shepherd's cottages here and there. As you continue walking, you will see that the valley has split to the right and left. Take a left here, and you'll have to cross another stream. This is more akin to crossing a river. It's not too difficult to manage, and it's not too deep. The water in this picture comes from Vishnusar Lake. The Vishnusar campsite is located after crossing this stream.

Exploring Vishnusar lake

You may spend your evening simply walking around the lake with your camera. I would recommend just sleeping inside a tent. Spend as much time as you can away from the camp. It's also not simply the lake that has to be seen. Just look back at sunset to view the golden-colored mountain summits. This is where you will actually feel the temperature dip close to zero. There are no campfires allowed in this area, but there are other ways to spend the evening. You may attempt to grab some galaxy photos.

Camping at Vishnusar lake

You may camp immediately before Vishnusar Lake or continue climbing for another hour to Krishnasar Lake. Vishnusar Lake is not visible from the campground and requires a 5-minute trek up to see it. It's one of the most gorgeous lakes in the world. Don't forget to look for the Gadsar mountain and pass from the left side of Vishnusar lake. On the next day, we continued our hike from Vishnusar lake to Gadsar pass and lake. Also, you might want to check all of the outdoor activities that I have completed to date.

*Vishnusar lake, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek*

YouTube video - Hike from Nachnai to Vishnusar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mRLBBkMId4

You may find the complete details on all days of Kashmir Great Lakes here. There are many trekking groups like Indiahikes, Trek the Himalayas, Youth Hostels (which is for Indian nationals and is cheaper) who can organize the trek or you can go on your own with locals. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Use Framing in Composition to create stunning photos

Have you taken any pictures? That's fantastic. Have you considered incorporating framing in your composition? You may, however, create some breathtaking and one-of-a-kind images from an average setting. You don't need to go to other parts of the world or scale mountain peaks to make your shot more popular. You may take the same photo that everyone else does, but in a different way. Here's one approach to go about it. The use of framing in visual composition.

temple framing and composition — *Chennakesava Hindu Temple at Somanathapura on an overcast day, Mysore, KA, India*
*built-in 1268 C.E*

Why is framing important to a composition?

What is the framing technique? - Composing a picture is vital, and framing is one approach to capture the attention of viewers or produce a good image. If you capture a shot without framing, it will seem quite flat in comparison to an image taken with frame when composing. A photograph without a frame is just another regular photograph. I utilised the pillars on both sides and the above slab on top in the above image. The diagonal lines (leading lines) to the left and right at the bottom and sides pull the user's attention from these pillars straight to the temple in the middle.

While framing may help with overall composition and drawing the attention to the focal point of your image, choosing the wrong style of frame might ruin the mood of the shot. As a result, it is critical to select a frame that contributes to the context while without distracting from the topic.

Why is composition so important?

The composition of a photograph is what directs our eyes through it and emphasises the subject in relation to the rest of the image. Composition, via flow, direction, and visual balance, drives the storey behind your image and captures the attention of the audience.

Framing in photography examples

This is a nature shot. Try searching for spots of this kind so that you can form a natural frame. Something like in between the trees, bark, leaves, etc. Captured this on the way back from my Himalayan trek to Roopkund.

Framing Photography - Tips & Techniques

Here are a few things that you might want to follow for better framing in composition:

Move around to find the right framing for your image instead of standing right in front of the object and capturing an image.
A wide angle lens may be of good use as shown in the above image that I had captured. Here (Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura) I have used Nikon AF-S ED Nikkor 14-24mm F/2.8 G.
Try to have a foreground for framing. The foreground subject need not be fully visible, but for a viewer it should make sense as to what it is.
Try using shallow depth of field to make the foreground and framing element out of focus.
Use the diagonal lines or leading lines to draw viewers attention to the main subject.

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A post shared by Ravindra Joisa (@ravindra_joisa)

If you merely take a picture, it may be just another snap. So, in order to receive that 'wow' sense, you must first create it. Instead of modifying it in post-production, try doing it in your camera while filming. You don't have to do all of them at once; consider adding one of the things described above every time you take a shot. It may take some time, but it will undoubtedly make you pleased and bring you more views. Leave a comment to let us know what you think and if you have any other suggestions.

Hawa Mahal Framing of Photo — *Hawa Mahal interior, Jaipur, India*

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post on photography tips. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more content of this kind.

Trek to Nichnai with breathtaking views of Sonamarg – Day 2

This is day 2 of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek, and the true hiking begins from Sonamarg all the way to Nichnai. The trail is also known by the name Alpine Lakes trek or KGL trek. This day will take you through several high-altitude forests of Maple, Pine, and Silver Birch with the beautiful view of Sonamarg and the hanging glaciers. On Day 1 it was more of traveling by Sumo/Jeep journey from Srinagar airport to Sonamarg, on National Highway One, Srinagar-Leh Highway. Once you are at Sonamarg, enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sonamarg Valley, a place known for its beautiful landscapes.

Sonamarg Valley Kashmir India — *Sonamarg, Kashmir, India*

KGL Trek starts from Sonamarg

The real hike begins somewhere near Sonamarg. There is an iron bridge just before reaching Sonamarg. Before crossing the bridge, turn left and walk for about 10 minutes till you reach the meadow. It's a really serene and pleasant spot, and it's a great site to camp along the Sindh River. As of this writing, this is the final spot to charge your electrical devices or buy anything because you will have no choice for the following one week on the trekking trail till you reach Naranag.

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek Sonamarg to Nichnai

Beautiful view of Sonamarg Valley

Begin walking after breakfast, and expect a difficult ascent for roughly an hour. Don't forget to turn around and take in the most spectacular early morning beauty in Sonamarg Valley. A snapshot taken here at this time will resemble a postcard or something you may display in your showcase. Continue trekking up through the meadows until you reach a wonderful deep forest of maple and pine.

Gujjar Hut on the way to Nichnai from Sonamarg — *Gujjar Hut on KGL Trek trail.*

Crossing the forests and Shekdur meadows

Along the trip, you'll come across a number of one-of-a-kind shepherds' huts. The view from here is breathtaking. If you have a few days to spare, you might want to consider staying with the local Gujjars in their hut; trust me, it's really warm inside and the hut is well insulated, while it's freezing outside at night. The Sonamarg valley is on one side, while the three hanging glaciers are on top of the mountain area on the other. After roughly an hour of climbing upwards, rest around Shekdur. From the Sonamarg campground, it takes roughly 2 to 3 hours to get here.

Day 2 of my Himalayan trek to Kashmir Great Lakes, Indiahttp://t.co/1vHNRZljMP pic.twitter.com/gNx6ajABU4
— Ravindra Joisa (@ravindrajoisa) October 12, 2014

Nichnai Campsite

A walk across the Shekdur meadows, followed by a steady ascent through the Silver Birchwoods. Simply continue the track until you reach the end of the Birch forest, where the Nichnai River Valley begins. Trek upstream along the river's bank for the next two hours, or until you locate flat land to pitch your tent.

Hidden lake at Nichnai Camp

Check with your trip guide whether there is a secret lake here. They might not suggest it because it's a one-hour hike to the left of the campground. Only a little waterfall is visible from this campground, but it is fed by the lake above, which is not visible from your location.

The ascent is a little perilous. There is no path up and the area is littered with rocks caused by small landslides. You might try it if you have enough time in the evening because it may take up to 2 hours and is not simple to climb. This lake is rarely seen yet is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. If you're travelling alone, you may do this.

The Nichnai campsite is located at an elevation of 11,500 feet and is an excellent location for experimenting with low light photography and long exposure shots. The sky may clear quickly after the rain, and thunderstorms are possible at night. If you have a tripod and a remote trigger, you may attempt some star trail photos here. Check out this virtual video of my second-day trip to the Kashmir Great Lakes below.

https://youtu.be/Lp2R1QncJ_4

Checkout: Day 3 of Kashmir Great Lakes Trekking in the Himalayas.

Kudremukh Trek - Truly a trekkers paradise

Kudremukh trek is a must-see if you're in Bangalore, and it's well-known among trekkers for its stunning scenery. This is a round journey that includes more than 10 streams to cross as well as wide meadows. Kudremukh means "horse's face" in Kannada. The unusual form of the summit inspired its name. Historically, this was known as Samseparvath because it was accessible from Samse village. Kudremukh is located in the Chikkamagaluru district, in the heart of the Western Ghats. It is part of the Kudremukh National Park, which is the western ghats' second-largest wildlife protected area.

What is the best time to visit Kudremukh?

The best time to visit this wonderful location is during the monsoon and winter. You may come at any time of year, although it is most beautiful during the monsoon season. If you're lucky, you could glimpse "Neelakurinji" purplish-blue flowers during the monsoon, which bloom just once every 12 years. We were quite fortunate to witness this since the entire mountain range was blanketed with either green or purple-blue flowers.

The trail is clean and is plastic-free. The peak is at an altitude of 1894 meters above sea level. The meadows are so beautiful that it reminds me of my Himalayan trek to Roopkund, on day two we had to cross Asia's largest high altitude meadows - the famous Bedni Bugyal which has some amazing campsites.

How long does it take to trek Kudremukh?

Streams along the Kuduremukh hiking trail

The Kudremukh trek is an easy to moderate hike that takes around 11.5 kilometers one way from Mullodi to the peak. Because you are not permitted to camp or remain overnight, you must return all the way to Mullodi. So, a total of around 23 kilometers must be accomplished in one day, which is achievable. Can novices attempt the Kudremukh Trek? - Yes, of course. This hike is suitable for first-time hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Kudremukh trekking package

It's not that difficult to complete the Kudremukh trek. I would strongly advise you to undertake this on your own because it is more of a DIY trek and a one-day journey. Kalasa/Kudremukh is the nearest town, and there are direct buses from Mangalore, Bangalore, and Udupi. The distance from Bangalore is 340 kilometers. As a result, board an overnight bus to Kalasa or Kudremukh. From Kalasa Bus, you may trek on your own or contact the base camp owner (homestay) - Raje Gowda (Ph: 9481179008), who can organize pickup and drop-off at the base camp/homestay as well as an overnight stay if you wish to stay for a long time and depart the next day.

Kudremukh Trek Route

Kudremukh trek begins at the base camp/Mullodi guesthouse, where the forest department headquarters is located. Purchase admission tickets to the forest. This is the last home before the trek begins. You will have to cross more than ten creeks. The Kudremukh trek trail features a 30-degree incline.

Carry a raincoat during the Kudremukh trek and be prepared for severe rain and cold wind once you reach the summit. There is no need to bring an extra water bottle because there are several streams even as you reach the summit. When you reach the top, bring a packed lunch, spend some time there, and then return the same way to the base camp around 5 or 6:00 p.m. During the monsoon season, you should pack salt and soak your socks in saltwater before wearing them to keep the leech away. There are also creams that are readily available at any medical store.

The Kudremukh hike is a one-day excursion. Here's how to plan for the Kudremukh trek and have a fun weekend. Leave Bangalore on Friday night at 10:00-10:30 p.m. via Karnataka Sarige (about 500 rupees)/Volvo bus from Kempegowda Bus Stand. Arrive at the Kalasa Bus Stop around 5:00 a.m.

You may reserve a jeep in advance by calling Raje Gowda, as well as the Kudremukh trek. The jeep trip (Rs. 500 to 700 - one way for 5 people) takes about an hour to reach the base camp/Mullodi guesthouse. There are two large rooms, each with its own bathroom. After breakfast, freshen up at base camp and be ready to start hiking by 8:00 a.m.

https://youtu.be/QXPxzciswCM

How to plan for Kudremukh trek

When you return from your journey from the Kudremukh trek, have a hot water bath at the base camp, followed by warm food and tea, and prepare for the campfire. You may either spend the night at the homestay and depart the next day for Bangalore, or you can leave the same day. From 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., buses leave from the Kalasa Bus Stand. You will arrive in Bangalore around 4:00 a.m. Raje Gowda would charge Rs 650 for breakfast, packed lunch, evening snacks, supper, overnight lodging, hot water, and breakfast the next day (as of 2014).

Don't forget to obtain forest department clearance by paying Rs. 275; else, as the locals would warn you, you may end up in trouble. Because this is a national park, the forest authority is tough about poaching. You must submit your information and pay the fee at the homestay. The aforementioned fee is current as of this writing and is subject to change. Mobile signal quality may be an issue at base camp, but as you climb higher, you should expect full signal strength.

Kudremukh National Park - Kurinjal

In brief, the Kudremukh trek may be completed in one day. The next day, in addition to the Kudremukh trek, you could wish to explore another famous hiking track, Kurinjal Peak, which is a bit shorter but is a perfect weekend trip from here.

https://youtu.be/18JpUZaN9-M

Kurinjal is a lesser-known peak in the Kuduremukh National Park, that acts as the perfect destination for people seeking a respite from the fast-paced and stressful city life. The trekking trail abounds in a mesmerizing natural beauty that is further enhanced by the calm and peaceful ambiance of the region.

Undertaking the trek takes the participants to another world, where the noise and pollution of the concrete jungles are replaced by picturesque surroundings, a breathtaking landscape, and an enchanting environment. As raw nature unravels itself at every step of the Kurinjal trek, it tickles the drowsy nerves of the participants and makes them feel truly alive besides redefining their concept of beauty and satisfaction.

Places near Kudremukh

Other places that we visited include the Somavathi waterfall, Kalasa temple, Hornadu temple, Tea Estate, and a hanging bridge. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog spot and watching my videos. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and you may buy me a coffee to support my work. Also, join my FriendZone by signing up for a free newsletter.

Tips on photographing moving subjects to capture outstanding images

Stationary subjects are quite simple to shoot. Simply compose the photograph, focus the lens, adjust the exposure, and click the shutter. Photographing moving subjects, on the other hand, introduces unique obstacles. For starters, when your subject moves around the frame, the composition changes. If you then move the camera to follow your subject, the backdrop is likely to alter as well. Then there's the problem of concentration. If the distance between the subject and the camera varies, you must compensate by adjusting your lens.

Black Headed Ibis - flying birds - photographing moving subjects — Black Headed Ibis

How To Capture Motion and Moving Subjects?

Photographing moving subjects isn't easy. Just having a long telephoto lens or an expensive gadget may not help you in getting great images. Here are a few tips that you need to keep in mind before photographing flying birds:

Positioning yourself - Birds flying at perpendicular to your camera would be easier for you to capture than a bid which is flying directly towards you. It would be great if you can capture an image of the bird flying directly towards you, but can a bit hard as focusing becomes a bit challenging even with the auto focusing system.
Taking good position so that you are in almost the same level - Try climbing up the tree or hill or get down to the lake/pond surface, instead of just standing in one corner and capturing just another ordinary shot. Capturing a bird flying high above your head is a very common shot.

Eagle flying low at Malleshwaram -photographing moving subjects

Check the background - You might have managed to capture a great image, but having some bright background or of a building may spoil your image.
Light source - You cannot always expect this to be right, but no harm in trying. You need lot of patience when it comes to wild life and bird photography. Sun at your back will look good as the bid will be front lit and may not look good if the light is from behind.
Photographing moving subjects without continuous focus can be challenging. Use continuous auto focus (AF-C) - as the flying bird change location continuously.
Select the vibration reduction to normal instead of active (in Nikon)/ Image stabilization to OFF. This doesn't matter much as the shutter speed is high.
Getting close to the bird - A 300mm telephoto lens or a full frame lens 70-200 f2.8 lens in DX mode should be more than enough to capture a bird in motion. There is no need to go for high end lens, but if you can afford costlier longer telephoto lens then go for it.
Use a mono-pod or a tripod which has a tilt/panning head to it. If you want even more freedom to use then you can always go for handheld shots, but there are high chances that your image may not be sharp or kind of blurred.
What shutter speed is best for fast-moving objects? Camera settings - Keep the shutter at 1/1000 sec or more. Depends on bird. If there is a humming bird then you might want to increase to 1/4000 sec or higher, and if there is an eagle then shutter of 1/1000 sec should be enough.

ISO auto - better to keep it in auto. The values of shutter, ISO and aperture totally depends on local conditions like when exactly the bird is, at what time of the day etc.
Other settings include - Use all focus points, spot metering, increase or decrease the exposure compensation by one or two stops if needed if the image is over or underexposed. Better to get these things right while capturing instead of doing the same during post editing for better quality image output.
Try capturing images early in the morning or in the evening or when there is shadow. Bright sunny day might bring harsh shadows which can spoil the image. But photographing moving subjects in low light is even more challenging. So, having a f2.8 lens or lower will be helpful.

Photographing moving subjects - example

Camera Panning - photographing moving subjects — *Photographing moving subjects - fast-moving bike captured using a point & shoot camera*

Try these tips the next time you go out with your camera. Leave a comment below if these tips were of help. Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and start practicing to capture photos and edit like a Professional Photographer. Buy me a coffee to support my work or you can go to my store to buy some of my images. Also, do not forget to join my FriendZone by signing up for my newsletter. Consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

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