Tusker in Nagarhole

[Shyamala Kumar]

We had entered Nagarhole from a different gate for a change( We usually enter via Kabini).We were rewarded with plenty of elephant sightings.We had one amusing encounter with a herd which comprised of this bull, one matriarch, a younger female, and and a small calf grazing by the track.Our safari vehicle came upon them suddenly and surprised them.The matriarch waved her trunk trumpeted loudly and charged our vehicle.This brave bull charged headfirst into the shrubbery turned around and covering his head with soil as if to camouflage himself and convince us of his non existence.So much for for the myth of males being the protectors of family.Nikon 7100+70-300mm f/8 ISO 800 1/30s FL 150mm late evening in Oct.

[Saktipada Panigrahi]

Live and wonderful image of the young tusker from the Jungle under his command. Owner of deadly barrel type horizontal tusks. Sitting in the comfort of a man-made high H.P noisy machine you have intruded upon his valuable time.

"This is not the way of wildlife viewing. Why not on elephant back or on foot?" - Asked the young tusker.
You are fortunate that you will never have to face the Manas colossus of early eighties !
Thanks for sharing. SaktiWild

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Your observation of male Homo sapiens may be true more often than not , however the animal species are different and mostly better than us. The young tusker is showing typical displacement behaviour. They break branches, throw mud on themselves during such moments. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Sabyasachi