Cauvery River Wildlife Sanctuary Outside of Mysore

Cauvery River Birds

In Mysore, after forgoing a trip to the elephant park because of the long drive and cost (a note: the elephant park isn’t that expensive- we were in India for so long & therefore kept a tight budget) we chose instead to go to a nearby wildlife sanctuary.   Our boatman paddled us down the quiet Cauvery River.  We stared at pretty white birds hanging out on sandbars and disturbed a giant group of fruit bats hanging from the trees.  The bats are enormous.  I snapped photos as they flew through the air above us, and settled down again in the green foliage of the trees.

Mysore Cauvery Purple Flowers

boat ride on the Cauvery River not too far from Mysore, India

fruit bats flying during the day

fruit bat over Cauvery River

flying fruit bat

Our guide pointed to the water. A crocodile sat, long and silent, on a log by the edge of the river.  He didn’t move as we slowly rowed our way over to him.  I snapped a few more pictures, and then as we started to move away he glided into the water, swimming with only his eyes showing, before he slipped back under and was lost. I jokingly ruled out swimming.

The time to relax, be quiet and enjoy nature is a much needed counterbalance to the crowded streets of India.  Seeing that crocodile was strangely refreshing.

Cauvery River Crocodile

quietly paddling down the river

Cauvery River Sanctuary

white birds on the cauvery river

boats on the Cauvery River