Venkatappa is a Goudlu tribal. The Goudlu tribe is one of the last traces of pure Malnad culture in the Indian western ghats, farming is their primary occupation. The tribe is no longer protected from urbanization, the plastic sheet he wears has replaced the traditional rain blanket “KAMBLI”.
Had gone to look for Lion-tailed macaques, but well these were good too…
Vipers are venomous, and the malabar pit viper is endemic to the western ghats as the name suggests. These are nocturnal hunters and bask and laze around during the day. The pit vipers get their name from the pits (the holes that look like nose), which are heat sensing, which helps in detect warm-blooded animals like rodents & birds in absolute darkness.
Just got back from kudremukh, the place is just beyond words in the monsoon. Got tons of leeches so feet is still recovering. Got to shoot one of the most dangerous reptiles in western ghats, a viper. Had no luck on the Lion-tailed macaque, though we drove for 2 days on the park roads. Pictures coming soon 