Enormous Syzygium in Mist, Bombay Shola, Palni Hills. Bombay Shola sits amidst the municipal limits of Kodaikanal immediately next to the lake basin. Most visitors are unable to distinguish this native cloud forest from the expansive plantations of non-native trees (such as eucalyptus, pinus and acacia sp.)in the Palnis. Bombay Shola has several roads winding through it that offer excellent walks. Endemic Western Ghats bird species, such as the White Bellied Shortwing (Brachypteryx major), Grey-Breasted Laughing Thrush (Garrulax jerdoni), and Black & Orange Flycatcher (Ficedula bigrorufa) can easily be seen from the roads in the shola! The large tree in this pictures is Syzygium densiflorum and is said to be the oldest in the Palni Hills at more than 500 years. (September 2001)