It was drizzling in the highest peak of South India. The cool breeze, mist and the green shola forest painted a surreal landscape. The Rajamalai National Park was free from the usual crowd as it was a weekday and not a tourist season. A Nilgiri Thar ( Mountain Goat)  was at the open, wandering in the grassland near a perennial stream. It was one among the endangered species, lucky enough to survive the total extinction.

The tourists were busy taking selfie with the Nilgiri Thar in the backdrop. The shrubs and side fence obstructed the path and denied a good vantage point. Suddenly a naughty kid pelted a stone aiming at a tree near the goat. The scared animal hurried to the side we were standing with a cautious look. That gave me a few seconds window to get a head-on shot. The fast zoom lens didn’t miss the mark.

Rajamalai in the Eravikulam National park is one of the top hill station and tourist destination in Kerala. It is near the tea estates of Munnar and 12 kilometers away from the Munnar town center. The Nilgiri hills are famous for the endangered Nilgiri Thar and the Nilakurinji ( Strobilanthus)  blooms.

Location: Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, Kerala