Travel: Weekend getaway to Neral to click winged beauties

Owlet Moth

A Fluorescent green jewel bug resting on a twig, an orange-backed fungoid frog sprawled on a rock, a tree frog perched on a branch, a lime butterfly flitting about flowers: wildlife in all diversity and beauty abounds in a village in Malegaon. This weekend, you get the chance to explore this diversity and perhaps, click an award-winning frame at a weekend getaway to Neral, organised by DCP Expeditions, the wildlife photography training academy and travel company.

Yogesh Chavan

"Budding photographers will get a chance to explore the region's flora and fauna. We are going there for photography and a love of nature," says naturalist Yogesh Chavan, who will lead the trip. Chavan is a graduate from JJ School of Applied Arts, an author and a photographer.

Lynx Spider

"We will be going to Saguna Baug, a 55-acre agro-tourism farm in Malegaon. They have ample water bodies, fruit-bearing trees and a small river, making it a thriving habitat for birds, butterflies and other insects," he says. Expect to gain a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls and how to approach wildlife in the field, exposure control under difficult light conditions, and framing and composition.

Saguna Baug

Saguna Baug is also host to a variety of agricultural activities like agro-forestry, dairy, aquaculture, agro-tourism, horticulture, traditional and non-traditional farming. Day one has four trails - the first one begins at 8.30 am. Chavan will also conduct two night trails, before and after dinner. The second day is dedicated to photography. "The night trail will help us spot a lot of insects, moths and spiders that come out in the dark. We will teach participants how to shoot in low light," adds Chavan.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

On: April 15 and 16
Meeting point: Saguna Baug, Neral.
Call: 61818464
Log on to: dcpexpeditions.com
Cost: Rs 4,200 per person inclusive of all taxes (Cost includes meals, overnight stay; not including transport from Mumbai)