The Hunter and The Hunted

[Debasis Bose]

The hunters know what they are doing, what to expect, which deer to kill, which to let go and where to ‘steer’ the herd. Our gypsy was rolling down through the forest path, when suddenly the smooth sound of the petrol engine was subdued with the alarm cries of chital deer. The driver stopped the gypsy and switched off the ignition. We could see the herd of chital running helter-skelter, but could not spot the predator. When suddenly observed a jackal breaking out of the cover of the grass and dashing straight toward the fawn. In the image one can see the fawn leaping and the jackal about 10 m to 15 m behind the fawn. Any guess! was it the day of the jackal or fawn.

Nikon, Nikor 70-200 F 2.8, Shot @ 200 mm F 8, ISO 640, 1/250s. Kanha National Park, Sarahi Zone