Ranthambore National Park, the home of Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Samba Deer and many more Indian Wildlife
We arrived late night in Sawai Madhopur at a farm house. Farm house, in India? Yes, it is possible. My friend Ravindra from the Ranthambore Regency has built a farm house in a wonderful setting at the edge of the Ranthambore National Park. He offered us the house, which has 5 beautiful big rooms. It was brand new; we were the first guests among Swedish guests. The staff service was beyond many can imagine. Just one example, I have asked Ravindra for wheelchair ramps for Jan. They have put in ramps at all steps, these ramps were a tad to steep. I asked for better longer ramps not steep, showing them how long they should be. Same day, few hours later, after our safari, the new ramps were installed. This made it easier for Jan to use and move around. Special thanks to the great staff and Ravindra. You have made our stay in Ranthambore special.
Bengal Tiger Portrait. FujiFilm X-T2; XF 100-400mm & 1.4x TC
The Exiting Wildlife, The Bengal Tiger
Yes, I stop with yada, we come to the exiting wildlife of Ranthambore. I was in touch with my guide Nafees the last 6 month to organize Ranthambore through and through. All needed to sit on the dot, which is in India quite a challenge sometimes. Here it comes, the word “but”. But when you know a bit the Asian culture and customs, as well follow the words of Jeske: “go with the flow”, nothing will be a problem, it always will work out. No worries, be happy!
Nafees organized and guided for us unforgettable safaris. He booked us 2 jeeps for the upcoming 14 safaris in Ranthambore. Himself guided us on one jeep; the second jeep took over Hansraj, fantastic great spotter & Jahid great driver and spotter as well. My compliments to them.
We had plenty of sightings of Tigers on this trip, Jan’s Indian wildlife photography wish list got shorter day by day, once a trick has been accomplished. We have sighted 2 Tigress, each with their 3 playful youngsters on a kill and in the water. It was a scene of such bliss to watch these young cubs playing. Sometimes some challenges were included to get a good composition. Branches or grass in the way and some other unwanted things. Hmmm, no hmmm, this makes you move on the jeep and not just sit and push a button. You needed to work your way around all this. Move up or down to the side and floating if you are able to. I love these challenges in photography. It makes you see not only the animal in the viewfinder, you observe around the animal. You have to work on your image; you take your time to accomplish it with or without branches the way you want. Oh well, if all odds were against me, the tiger did not fit into the image, I squeezed the tiger into a landscape photograph. (insider info of this great group, see an example of a wildlife landscape photograph
Bengal Tigers tender moment. FujiFilm X-T2; XF 100-400mm & 1.4x TC
Seeing And Photographing A Bengal Tiger
Indian Leopards or even the very shy Sloth Bear can transform a wildlife photographers face into a very happy glowing face. Evgeny had such a face when he had his first Tiger sighting, smile from ear to ear, he was very happy with what he captured with his cameras.
One day we entered Peacock paradise. Jan & Evgeny’s playground to photograph these big birds. Big birdies everywhere, on trees, on ground, on the big wall of the Ranthambore Fort, where you looked you saw them. The mission peacock started. Get the “bigger chicken” of the jungle as you would like to photograph it. We all gave our best, not quite sure that the peacocks gave their best! We photographed them flying, dancing with their beautiful long feathers spread to a wheel to impress the females, good luck, or just doing the “gugg in die Luft” position. (gugg in die Luft > doing nothing, or in other words, the empty box is in use. Maybe zen?)
Last day has arrived and with that the last 2 drives into the bush. Carole had to fly back to Europe one day earlier, due some work related obligations. At that stage we still did not see the Indian leopard or a sloth bear. At the last safari, late afternoon, Evgeny, Jan and Jeske hit the little Jackpot. They had the pleasure to capture the Indian Leopard and Sloth Bear. Both animals are quite shy, not easy to spot. Their guide and driver managed to spot these two animals, they even spent quite a while with them. I envy them for that. What a great finale of this photo tour with a bunch of great people 🙂
More Post And Pages To Explore
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