Leopard in Monsoon @ Kabini

[Vijay Rajan]

Although I'd been advised by my friends not to venture out onto Kabini (Nagarahole) owing to lack of predator sightings and the heavy downpour, I still went ahead just to enjoy the jungle in the rains. Out of the 4 safaris, I sighted herds of Elephants, Gaurs & a Leopard in each of the 3 safaris while the last one was washed out due to heavy rain.

While it was about time for everyone to begin driving back to the exit without any cat sighting on a rainy day, our Jeep got stuck in the slush and all of us had to get off the vehicle to push it back onto the track. The moment we took to the track, we heard alarm calls of spotted dear as well as langurs. We turned around the bend and there he was, walking ahead of us right on the track. We kept following him at a leisurely pace for over 2 KM before he decided to dismiss his audience & get back into the lush green undergrowth. A chance sighting of the male known as "Scarface". It truly was exhilarating to meet up with him after a long time & to know that he still rules the roost in his domain. It is interesting to note his nonchalant ways in an area ruled by a dominant Tiger.

Canon 7 D, Canon 500 mm f/4 L IS, f/4, 1/2000, ISO 1000 (bumped up the ISO since the light was poor & I'd anticipated him to bolt back into the undergrowth), -2/3 EC, beanbag support.