Tiger from BR hills

I had made a quick trip to BR hills earlier this week and was fortunate to see a tiger in the night. Since I have been traveling mostly in the rain forests the last year or so, it has been almost 2 years since I’ve seen a tiger in the wild.

The photograph and the sighting would not have been possible without Mandanna who was driving the vehicle and Giri Cavale who was spotlighting because of which both of them could not photograph. Hence the multiple copyrights on the image.

Even though I have seen and photographed some very rare and endangered species, there is still no better thrill than seeing a tiger in south indian forests.

17 Comments

  1. Anonymous · October 11, 2008 Reply

    Magnificent! Had a question for you. Most of your previous photos of tigers, that at least I have seen were smaller sized while this one appears huge. Are the prior pics that of younger ones?

    And are you planning to bring put a calender this year like you did couple of years ago?

  2. Anonymous · October 11, 2008 Reply

    Congrats

    Congratulations on the brilliant shot. Its amazing to see how much dedication you have for what you do. Its inspiring

    Regards
    Prateek Dayal
    http://www.prateekdayal.net/blog

  3. sgowtham · October 11, 2008 Reply

    Holy ….

    Cool (and goosebumpy) as always 🙂

  4. bindu11 · October 11, 2008 Reply

    Beautiful! Is it very hard to see them in the wild? Good to know they are abundant enough still to be spotted.

  5. admin · October 11, 2008 Reply

    This was a male, though I do not think he is in his prime.

    Yes, looks like the calendars will be mostly coming out this year too 🙂

  6. admin · October 11, 2008 Reply

    You know how its in south india 🙂

  7. yathin · October 11, 2008 Reply

    what’s the red on its right ear? looks like some wound?

  8. Anonymous · October 12, 2008 Reply

    Lovely picture

    Pity I missed you at BRT, Kalyan. I heard of this sighting from Narayan as soon as I landed and my hopes were high that I would sight a tiger at least this time at BRT. We only saw fresh scat and heard the chital alarm call. He was there but did not condescend to give us an audience.

    Vittal

  9. Anonymous · October 12, 2008 Reply

    had the same question when i saw it on INW .. also i see some thing that resembles a golden ring on its left ear ??

    I wish i could see a tiger in the dark someday .. excellent photograph .. your photos are very realistic …

    Anand Narayanan

  10. Anonymous · October 13, 2008 Reply

    awesome.. fortune favors the brave.. must be true 🙂

  11. anoopts · October 13, 2008 Reply

    Kalyan,

    You made my day. What a sighting it is. Good to see South Indian Tigers.

    Cheers,
    Anoop

  12. Anonymous · October 14, 2008 Reply

    Kalyan,

    We were also at BR hills on this night….. We even met…

    But not the tiger!!!!!!! Where did u sight this!!! Philip was not with you?

    Raja

  13. Anonymous · October 14, 2008 Reply

    Love the pic, but using spot lights in forests is banned right. So how do you folks getaway with this?

    -Mohan

  14. admin · October 15, 2008 Reply

    Spotlights banned in the forest ? There is no such rule really… also its about how carefully you do it vs how you can abuse it.

  15. Anonymous · November 18, 2008 Reply

    Not Hard to Find… But Hardest…………..

    I have been to almost all south Indian forests, and seen abundant wild life like deers, Elephants.. Buffaloes etc… few fox.. one injured leopard caught by forest officials (were informed later died on the same day) we are yet to catch up with the tiger.

    Of late i was told there are frequent sightings in and around Nagarahole.. BR Hills and Kabini.. yet to sight one.
    Luckier are those who get to see the magnificent animal of this side of earth.

    My words may not give you true picture about how hard to find this Jewel among the animal world… to give you an example low rung Forest officers who are inside deep jungles everyday would not have sighted a single jewel in their entire career.
    Tiger is being spotted regularly now a days in and around BR Hills, Nagara Hole and Kabini.. and some times in BHadra is a soothing factor for every tiger lover.

    Vsh U

  16. Anonymous · February 8, 2009 Reply

    yes that is ayoung sub adult,pink nose is quite prominent.A very rare photo indeed.hats off to you
    regards
    christopher

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