Recently returned from a 12 day trip to Bandhavgarh National Park in India ( same location as the recent BBC dynasties series ) . It was a really difficult trip from a photography perspective as my prime target the Bengal Tiger is so elusive and difficult to see let alone photograph , the time of year made it more difficult as the jungle was in full bloom after the recent monsoon rains which helps the Tigers stay even more concealed. Had I have gone next April / May time it is apparently easier to spot them as it is the height of the dry season and with daytime temperatures well over 100 degrees both Tigers and their prey do not stray far from the dwindling water holes and the Tigers spend a good proportion of the day actually lying in the water to keep cool. However I chose Nov/Dec because the park looks so much more vibrant as opposed to a dry dustbowl. I managed 7 separate sightings during my stay albeit the majority were fleeting glimpses from distance or when it was getting dark but I had a few photographic opportunities but had to think and act fast as they tend not to hang around. This one is a young male who along with his siblings are still with their mother, something disturbed him as he suddenly appeared out of the shadows of the bamboo thickets snarling and growling before walking back into the shade of his resting place but not before having a quick look back at our jeep.
Bengal Tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris ) by Steve Dawes, on Flickr
Bengal Tiger ( Panthera tigris tigris ) by Steve Dawes, on Flickr
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