Kabini (Nagarhole)

ESSENCE OF KABINI - Every place has a signature photograph to it. For me, this is the closest it comes for Kabini. The banks of the reservoir, with fresh grass growing at the onset of summer. The beautiful moist deciduous forest all around it. And the majestic animals that define the place - the Tiger and the Elephant.

WAR AND PEACE - A new day dawns on Kabini. Cool breeze and a fine mist hanging around the forest. And these 2 Sambars at war to establish supremacy. Contrasts abound...

COLOURS AT DAWN - One doesn't often associate summers with morning mist. Yet, at Kabini, there were so many mornings where visibility would drop to a few feet. This was one such morning. As the sun's light started shining through the forest and the mist started lifting, we came across this beautiful Peafowl in this fairytale setting.

ADVICE - Chital (or Spotted Deer) and Grey Langurs are the most common mammals one encounters on a safari in Nagarhole. They form a loose association with each other for food and safety. In this interaction, it seemed as if the "sagely" Langurs were advising the Chital fawn to be wary of the big bad world outside.

TRAFFIC JAM - Sound advice it was. For predators abound here. On a warm March afternoon, this stunner decided to lead the way. And we were more than glad to oblige.

LEOPARD-ON-TREE - This one decided to spend the afternoon on a fallen tree. One often comes across Leopards resting on trees here, probably to keep themselves safe from the one predator that can vanquish them.

CAUTIOUS - At dusk, the forest starts assuming a certain mysterious charm. A perfect setting for the shy Sambar - the largest deer in India. It is obviously wary...

HIS MAJESTY - ...and the Sambar better be wary. For this is the Tiger's realm. Sitting at the top of the food chain, the Tigers' well-being is an indication about the health of the forest too. At Nagarhole, India's national animal appears to be thriving. Here's one cooling off at a water hole in the park.

EFFICIENT - Dhole (or Wild Dog) is the third large predator that roams the Nagarhole. Dholes are social animals that are sometimes found in packs of more than 30. Due to their small size, they usually hunt down their prey and start feeding on it even before it is dead. The fact that this forest supports thriving populations of 3 large predators is an indication of the good prey base here.

SURPRISE - It's not just cats, dogs, deer and elephants here though. The beautiful squirrel is one of the largest that we find in South Asia. This one seems to be enjoying his perch.

ANGRY BIRDS - Sometimes, size doesn't matter in the wild. Here, a Brown Fish Owl has been discovered by this flock of Jungle Babblers. And they aren't too happy with their new neighbour. This behaviour is called mobbing - smaller birds often try to scare away much larger birds of prey by flying into them repeatedly, dive-bombing at times, and very often just yelling at them.

YELLOW - After a brief spell of rains, one often comes across these colourful fungi on the forest flooe. A break from the greens and browns of the forest.

SYMMETRY - In summers, huge herds of elephants congregate on the banks of the Kabini Reservoir. It is a spectacle that is unparalleled in India. They come from forests all around to feast on the fresh green grass. Here two of them (probably mother and calf) seem to be enjoying an evening meal, while posing symmetrically.

REFLECTION - The moment I saw the dried bamboo reflections in the Kabini reservoir, my mind was made - I had to make a photograph with that as the background. It wasn't until 2 days (and 4 safaris) later that I finally got the opportunity when this Great Egret decided to cross the waters.

SUNSET - Another day at Kabini comes to a close. What's in store for tomorrow? May be another day in the circle of life!