Praveen Siddannavar
18-04-2011, 08:00 PM
From the same series posted yesterday, the sighting lasted for almost 20 mins or more, we were getting late to reach the exit gate hence had to leave leopard family in peace.
We were on other side of the backwaters when we got call from Bazel a naturalist from JLR about a tiger sighting at sunset point on the backwaters, infact the tiger was soaked in the water. So we were driving back to reach sunset point, when the Leopard crossed our way at distance. We were in 2 minds, whether to shoot from distance or go little closer, we chose to take risk and moved ahead. The leopard that was walking peacefully stopped and turned back looking for something.
It is when Shivanand our naturalist guessed that this is the mother leopard and is looking for her cub. In the meantime we spotted the cub on our left at a distance hiding behind a tree stump and was camouflaged in the dry grass. A little later the mother called out for the cub and it started sprinting towards its mom. I have captured all these wonderful moments.
Then both mom and cub started walking towards the bush, a old banyan tree was ahead of them and again Shivanand was spot on and said sir the leopards will climb the tree & they did. Must appreciate Shiva's judgment, he has done this time & again.
After climbing the tree, the leopards hid behind the branches and leaves, ours was the only jeep by now. With no disturbance and absolute silence, the mother leopard quite peeped out to check if we were still there. when she saw us, she sensed no threat or danger to her cub. She gave full license to the cub to play.
It was wonderful to watch the cub descend the tree in hurry, quite a few times & in process he slipped:), probably lack of experience. And then mom was training him on climbing skills. These were really beautiful moments that are in my memory and also I have captured in my camera.
In the meantime we had forgotten about the tiger that was waiting for us:), Bazel again called us to inform that the tiger has disappeared in the bushes. We too informed him about the leopard and by the time they reached some 6-7 jeeps followed and with all the noise the leopards again hid behind the leaves.
We then had to leave the leopards and return back to the resort, I had to return back to blore same day due to some urgent work and same evening again the leopards were sighted on the same tree.
Camera Model Canon EOS 7D, 500mm
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 8
ISO 800
Focal length 500mm
Almost full frame
Bean Bag Support
We were on other side of the backwaters when we got call from Bazel a naturalist from JLR about a tiger sighting at sunset point on the backwaters, infact the tiger was soaked in the water. So we were driving back to reach sunset point, when the Leopard crossed our way at distance. We were in 2 minds, whether to shoot from distance or go little closer, we chose to take risk and moved ahead. The leopard that was walking peacefully stopped and turned back looking for something.
It is when Shivanand our naturalist guessed that this is the mother leopard and is looking for her cub. In the meantime we spotted the cub on our left at a distance hiding behind a tree stump and was camouflaged in the dry grass. A little later the mother called out for the cub and it started sprinting towards its mom. I have captured all these wonderful moments.
Then both mom and cub started walking towards the bush, a old banyan tree was ahead of them and again Shivanand was spot on and said sir the leopards will climb the tree & they did. Must appreciate Shiva's judgment, he has done this time & again.
After climbing the tree, the leopards hid behind the branches and leaves, ours was the only jeep by now. With no disturbance and absolute silence, the mother leopard quite peeped out to check if we were still there. when she saw us, she sensed no threat or danger to her cub. She gave full license to the cub to play.
It was wonderful to watch the cub descend the tree in hurry, quite a few times & in process he slipped:), probably lack of experience. And then mom was training him on climbing skills. These were really beautiful moments that are in my memory and also I have captured in my camera.
In the meantime we had forgotten about the tiger that was waiting for us:), Bazel again called us to inform that the tiger has disappeared in the bushes. We too informed him about the leopard and by the time they reached some 6-7 jeeps followed and with all the noise the leopards again hid behind the leaves.
We then had to leave the leopards and return back to the resort, I had to return back to blore same day due to some urgent work and same evening again the leopards were sighted on the same tree.
Camera Model Canon EOS 7D, 500mm
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/800
Av( Aperture Value ) 8
ISO 800
Focal length 500mm
Almost full frame
Bean Bag Support