Let me begin by asking a simple question! How long do you hold on to your travel memories? And, what does it take to invoke them if they are fading away? Let me know in the comments section!
Given the frequency of travel that I execute in a calendar year, the probability of lost memories is a common phenomenon. However, with years of travelling and documentation experience, it’s a thing of the past. To be able to recollect every tiny spec of detail of something that occurred several months ago must be truly special. Every travel is special to me.
Travel Documentation begins much before the travel itself could begin. And, the choice of destination is always picked from my custom-tailored travel bucket list. This bucket list was passionately designed with an unwavering approach on my personality type and the genres of photographs I am enthusiastic about. For those who do not know me, I have an introverted personality and I am mad keen on only a handful of photography genres with as little interaction as possible. Some of them include Landscape and Wildlife Photography. Choosing a photography genre is very important and it often compliments one’s personality type. This astute perception helps keep my imperturbable self and builds on my Travel & Photography bucket list.
Join me as I take you down the memory lane showcasing magnificent photographs of Asiatic Lions and a phenomenal jungle experience from my travel archive exactly a year ago. It was March 2020 and my third successive travel at that time. Of all travel diaries, this was different. The planet was grappling with a novel disease and it was categorized as an epidemic back then. Amid severe concerns of COVID-19, I had decided not to defer any of my travel plans. Of course, it was a personal choice and that’s how I execute my travel plans! Although, the virus was widespread, it wasn’t declared as Pandemic yet. The Chennai airport looked a tad deserted with several people putting on their facial mask (something that was not mainstream during that time in history). Obviously, it wasn’t a pretty scene.
Exhilaration & Bliss:
An exciting 2-hour flight from Chennai brought me to the historic city of Ahmedabad, the largest in the Indian state of Gujarat. And, an overnight train took me as much closer along the outer walls of the Gir Forest National Park, home to the only wild population of the Asiatic Lions in the world. With the first light of the day way too far, it was an early check-in for me at the Gir Jungle Lodge. After a 3-hour rest, I got introduced to the entire team of wildlife enthusiasts for this trip. What followed next was an unforgettable experience until I left for home. The many lip-smacking Gujarati delicacies, up-close encounters with the Asiatic Lions, and a wonderful bunch of people had a lasting impact on this trip! It was a phenomenal jungle experience! Without further ado, here comes the photographs!
MAGNIFICENCE OF ASIATIC LIONS: SPECTACULAR COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
It was my long-time wish to watch, observe and photograph Lions! And, I couldn’t ask for a better scheme of things! Having photographed the many striped Big cats across the many parks in the country, watching the un-patterned Big cats was definitely a jaw dropping experience! Out of a total of 6 safaris, we were blessed to watch and experience 12 Lions! Isn’t that incredible?
It was a day filled with exciting prospects of watching Lions (both male and female) coming out of dense forest cover and walk with all poise! Just when the park was about to close its gates for any human visitors, this giant muscular male was spotted by one of the many water holes. Unlike Tiger, it is not customary for Lions to spend considerable amount of time by the water bodies. With last light of the day getting dimmer and a scene like this, all I had to do was to get the camera settings right and not get distracted by any means! I didn’t want to miss this! And, here’s a magnificent photograph of that effort!
Watching a male LION is definitely a hair-raising experience. However, watching a female (aka Lioness) is a spine-chilling tale too! Presenting an aggressive looking Lioness from the famed GIR National Park!
Look at her STANCE! And, those EYES!
It was a pleasant morning with plenty of anxious moments to spot the cubs! It’s a very rare sighting to have the cubs spotted. You know it’s a typical parenthood! In a PICTURESQUE setting, involving a studio like lighting (thanks to the early morning soft light), this was a DREAM SHOT! Look at the spot light on the eyes! Just Brilliant!
It wasn’t any easy to photograph this scene, though. There was a lot of commotion around the scene and to get the photograph right, it was imperative to have the camera settings right and not get distracted by any means! Here’s a stunning photograph of a Lioness and her cub!
Eye contact is always SPECIAL! Here’s a fascinating portrait of a LIONESS! Love her EYES! It’s so beautiful!
Cutie Pie
At first, this photograph may portray in what seems like an affectionate bonding. In animal world, it depicts a matter of survival! When two male Lions from the same territory spot each other, they nuzzle up! Nuzzling is an act of gently pushing and rubbing each other! Lions use licking and nuzzling to strengthen social bonds! When they are confronted by other Lions from elsewhere, their social bonding is intact enough to hold their ranks! And, Wildlife Photography is NOT always about expensive equipment. It’s a combination of subject knowledge, astute focus and proficiency with camera equipment.
At the time of this scene, the available light was getting dimmer each passing minute. And, to be able to capture this scene while portraying the actions, I had to balance between ISO and shutter. As a result, both the bonding sequence and movement of legs can be observed in this photograph! I would term this a DREAM SHOT! It’s a very rare phenomenon to spot and photograph two male LIONS in close vicinity!
A tantalizing photograph of an adult LION
When the Lions pose, they look TOO OBEDIENT! Aren’t they? Look at the one to your left! He looks so cute! The lighting is just as brilliant as the pose given by the two!
At the time of this scene, there was a lot of commotion around. As always, its the astute FOCUS that sets the QUALITY wildlife PHOTOGRAPHS standout from the rest! I was, literally, not bothered about what was happening around, except the Lions!
It’s all in a family! When a mother makes for a feasty food, it is bound to derive satisfaction and happiness! A Lioness makes a kill, feeds on it, then lets her cubs do the honors!
Here’s a spellbinding photograph of cubs feasting on the carcass of a herd!
Cubs involved in a play is always a DELIGHT to WATCH!
Without any second thoughts, the portraiture of a Lion is a sight to behold! But, a big cat’s hunting methods is a whole different story! Typically, Lionesses, do the majority of hunting. And, one of the reasons for this is that their bodies are slimmer! Here’s a terrorizing photograph of a Lioness feeding on its prey. Later, three of her cubs joined the feast. Look at that EXPRESSION!
What I like about this shot is the habitat of species! An interesting aspect is that these species are very sensitive to habitat disturbances. A cute pair of Spotted Owls peeking out from a tree cavity (typically, where these species live)!
In my numerous Jungle trips across the country, I have got many fascinating photographs of this bird. But, this one from my recent travel is close to my heart! Though the bird was easy to spot, it was at a difficult angle to be photographed. After a minor struggle, when I got everything right to shoot, the bird was preparing for a flight. Here’s a fascinating photograph of a medium-sized bird of prey, named, Crested Serpent Eagle!
Love those fluffy feathers all around! It’s just INCREDIBLE! And, the habitat, of course!
Turning a blind eye to what is going on! Typical, nocturnal, behavior – To have one eye open and one eye closed! What I like about this shot is the habitat of species! An interesting aspect is that these species are very sensitive to habitat disturbances.
The bird was perched high up, and was at a difficult angle to be photographed. After a minor struggle, got this wonderful photograph! Here’s a fascinating photograph of Oriental Honey Buzzard!
It’s a large bizarre shorebird, also, found on dry grassland. Typically, active at night and spends the day sitting unnoticeably. Here’s one such fascinating photograph of Indian Thick-knee!
Being Protective. Another fascinating photograph of Indian Thick-knee!
These species belonging to green pigeon. One of their prominent behavior is that in the early mornings they are often seen sunning on the tops of emergent trees in dense forest areas. And, so is this photograph!
Love those vibrant colors! And, the pattern of its EYES! It’s just INCREDIBLE!
While it may be tricky to spot this bird species during the day light, it is equally tricky to spot them after dusk. And, the reason for that is their supernatural reputation of silent flight. These nocturnal species have their grey-brown, barred plumage providing an ideal camouflage during the day light! Here’s a beautiful photograph of an Indian Nightjar resting on a tree branch!
Among the most beautiful and charismatic bird, a Peacock is always a delight to watch! I have had many close up shots of this beautiful bird! It’s always amazing to see those intricate detailing! However, it’s the habitat shot that I love! For it portrays the real beauty!
All thanks to Wild Ark for carrying out meticulous planning and combined team effort! It was such a pleasure right from Day 1 until I left the camp!
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Thanks for sharing this! I really enjoyed this and could visualize the big cat’s life style.
Appreciate your time! I am glad you liked it! Thank you very much for the feedback!
Thanks for sharing your experience Vijay!! As always, nicely written!
Thank you very much, Pradeesh!!!