While on vacation, we visited Bandipur national park, and were blessed with a 5 minute sighting of the King of the Indian wilderness - the Tiger. It was a very lucky sighting and here we share with you our 'Royal' experience. It had been drizzling continuously since the time we reached Bandipur and it was no different when the morning alarm woke us at 5 am. In spite of the wet and cold conditions, we set out on our morning safari at 6:30 am. We sighted nothing at all till about 7:00 am; when the monotony of the raindrops was shattered by a Sambar alarm call. We searched the area where the alarm call was heard, but the thick lantana, continuous rain and overcast lighting conditions made it really challenging for us to sight anything.
All this changed around 7:40am when we heard our wireless crack with a message that a Tiger has been spotted about 10 minutes away from our current location. We immediately raced towards the area, not sure if we would reach there in time or not. But we were in luck. As we reached the spot, we were thrilled to see the "King of the Indian Wilderness" ambling along the edge of the lantana, busy scent marking his area.
In the 5 minutes that followed, we saw the king in his many moods and poses; here are some of the unforgettable ones. The images were taken in continuous rain and overcast lighting conditions. D300 mounted with our trusted 300 f2.8 lens didn't let us down in these conditions. All images were taken hand held; literally hanging out of a moving jeep.
The majestic look of his highness.
His nonchalant, confident walk.
That strong neck and the massive head shows the size of this 8-10 feet long beast. 
Scent marking his territory - a typical behavior of the king.
In a pensive pose - the king seems to be wearing his thinking cap for a change.
All this changed around 7:40am when we heard our wireless crack with a message that a Tiger has been spotted about 10 minutes away from our current location. We immediately raced towards the area, not sure if we would reach there in time or not. But we were in luck. As we reached the spot, we were thrilled to see the "King of the Indian Wilderness" ambling along the edge of the lantana, busy scent marking his area.
In the 5 minutes that followed, we saw the king in his many moods and poses; here are some of the unforgettable ones. The images were taken in continuous rain and overcast lighting conditions. D300 mounted with our trusted 300 f2.8 lens didn't let us down in these conditions. All images were taken hand held; literally hanging out of a moving jeep.
The majestic look of his highness.
His nonchalant, confident walk.
That strong neck and the massive head shows the size of this 8-10 feet long beast. Scent marking his territory - a typical behavior of the king.In a pensive pose - the king seems to be wearing his thinking cap for a change.
101 comments:
Thomas, these are truly majestic photos of the king. I like how you take them in action, not just poses. Excellent work, and I love every bit of it. Anna :)
Gorgeous! especially the one in pensive mood is totally awesome...!
Old Or may be not well ???
Oh that first picture is so full of menace!
I often wonder what I would do if I came across a tiger in the wild on my own. (That is, not in a jeep or any such controlled situation!!)
I think I will just be frozen by that look!
Terrific!
just superb!!!! you guys are really lucky to see the king of the Indian jungles...
btw, I have tagged you on my blog.. check it out...
A Royal experience indeed! I have a deep yearning to see a Tiger in the wilds. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!
It sure is majestic Thomas. We are so lucky to be able to live in these places where we are able to see these magnificent animals. They are fast disappearing in so many parts of the world where humans are taking and/or destroying their habitat.
A real majestic beast. great photos.
The last shot would make a great wallpaper, thanks for sharing. :)
sublime sighting and photos
absolutely stunning captures!
what a beautiful serie of pictures !!!! looks like the tiger is actually posing for you !
Excellent shots again. The 300 f2.8 never lets you down does it? I can imagine the wet and less than ideal conditions in which you took these pics. well done.
Some hard to erase images of the retina, congratulations.
My dear Thomas and Shilpy,
Thank you for the pictures and the words in context.
Tell us, when you go out into the wild and capture these pictures for us, what do you see is happening to the habitat of these animals?
What are their chances that they will survive the destruction by human beings? Do you see any hope?
Peace and love,
- Joe.
Totally awesome and masterly photos!!!
Magical photography as usual.
A superb collection Thomas. It's so good to see such a majestic animal in his own kingdom like that. Let's hope he can always have his own land.
That first shot is just perfect. The stare says, 'this is mine.'
Nice cat.
Beautiful photos! The first is fantastic! Honestly, thanks for sharing!
What a majestic animal. I love seeing him in his natural environment and not in a zoo. Perfect photos - as always.
Your photographs perfectly match the mood you painted with your words. Fascinating captures, wonderful work!
I like how well you succeeded despite his preference for remaining partially hidden. Wonderful detail and color. Fine series!!
Beautiful animal. I really like the shots where he is blending in with the environment. Great series of shots.
Thomas: He is the king of your jungle and well deserving. You captured him in all his glory.
Every shot is a masterpiece.
these are unbelievably stunning photos!
how luchy are you t o work with this nature and animals!!!
Genial serie. Muy buen trabajo. Saludos.
Hello,
Une fois encore tu nous émerveilles ,par la qualité de tes images ,c'est une splendeur à chaque fois .
Amitiés .
Superb shots of the 'King' Thomas.
wow, my hands would be trembling like mad when i would be looking at such beauty in wild.
Considering the conditions you were working in, I'm amazed at the quality you pulled off also
très belles images de cet animal superbe
these are indeed fabulous captures of this king.. great shots.. :D
Definitely awesome images of this powerful animal. The tiger has always been my favorite, a fascinating creature. Excellent clarity, great shots as usual. From your images, I would have to agree that is one great lens.
Great series! Even in spite of the rain! Thanks for stopping by; I always appreciate your comments.
Anywho, both Thornton (yesterday's post) and Drew (today's post) were hypnotised when I took their pictures.
Your patience rewards you over and over again, Thomas...and we are the lucky recipients!
Royal experience, indeed! The first image is so absolutely gorgeous - it should win a prize! I LOVE this composition and the way the tiger is peeking back out of the grass!
All are just wonderful!
Awesome series as always, especially the first shot. Thanks for sharing. Blue Skies.
the first pic looks wonderful. excellent shots of a majestic animal.
I can imagine how difficult it is to capture shots of this wild animal, great shots man!
You take amazing photos. This series is beautiful. I fear for you, it looks like you were right there, ten feet away.
Cool shots. The last one looks like he's resting.
Just majestic. Your pictures are fabulous. Great series indeed!
fantastic captures. you are the best
oh wow! i loved the hidden perspective of shooting the image!
Wow! You've done a wonderful job Thomas. I feel so good when I find that there still is something left that we can call wilderness, not completely maybe.
Photos from Kas Plateau
Hi Thomas,
Despite the conditions, the pictures are truly awesome. He is majestic and you got him really well! it looks like this 300mm f2.8 lens is perfect in your hands!
These are great pictures. I like the one of him biting the tree. My husband saw a bear cub the other night.
Gorgeous. What's happening to tigers in India is a sad story, but your pictures give some hope.
amazing, my favourite one is the first shot when he is looking directly in the lens
What a majestic animal! Your photos really do justice to this stunning creature.
It is amazing how cat's, no matter how big or small do the same things. Wonderful images you really are lucky to see all of the wildlife that you photograph.
Cheers
Really great series. Loved the one of him chewing on the tree!
Wow! So majestic!
Your wild life report is a gift, thanks for sharing this tiger and all them here*
Thomas, great photos as always.
I frequently entered this kind of lantana buses alone while birding. This pictures scare me. ;)
Gorgeous. How fantastic to get to look at your photos! Thank you for sharing these.
A majestic animal and a so beautiful serie of pictures...
I like the one of him biting the tree ;-)
What a wonderful beast! Fantastic capture!
Wonderful pictures and impressive animal. I love the last one.
mister tiger, excellent capture, dangerous capture !
Beautiful images, thanks for sharing.
WOW...what beautiful sight...i dont understand how you manage too hold your camera so steady...i shake like a leaf in a autumn storm
This really is the king.
Now i follow you so i don't get lost;-))
excellent series - great work
http://krikis.aminus3.com
Stunning capture! I think it is locating you in the first shot. TFS
Wonderful. The strength and size of this male tiger are stunning.
Outstanding image.
Oh Thomas - how amazing to see your wonderful photos of tigers again!
These are so amazing and I keep thinking "gosh, he gets to be so close to them, how awesome, how lucky!"
Wonderful and amazing images! Really love your shots! :)
up close and personal. thats one brilliant cat. Its such pity they are on the verge of extinction. great images.
Omigosh these are absolutely stunning! I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to see this majestic animal in the wild.
Thomas, these are an outstanding set of photos of this gorgeous animal. My favourite of course.
I particularly love the first and last picture... it must have been a scary and exciting encounter!
An exciting encounter. I especially like the first image.
lovely and beautiful shots! so cute! :D
:O the first shot is just outstanding. Great work my friend!
Just look at that neck! I think my adrenaline would be pumping pretty good upon seeing him in the wild!
A King, really.
Very nice serial.
Bravo.
Yvon.
Pleased to meet you! If your "cats" seem almost timid and hesitant here, they are no less majestic, and the pictures just as beautiful and strong as usual.
mta et françois
Power and strength.
Wonderful photos!
sweet series. the compositions are fantastic.
wow, what a beautiful beast!! and you've got some amazing shots of him!!
Wonderful! I wish I could come by my favorite sites more often! :)
Cheers, Klaus
You are really really amzing, I love your work. It's really wonderful, thank you :))
Me gusta mucho esa mirada felina de este rey de la india, las texturas de su piel son impresionantes.
Buen trabajo, como siempre.
Saludos.
Truly beautiful images despite the weather conditions, Thomas! You are so fortunate to have this wildlife right in your own 'backyard'...hard to believe these images were taken from a moving jeep! Fantastic!
Awesome images and great clarity on the King!
He was most probably wondering whether you would make a tasty snack or not! ;D
Superb photos, Thomas. I love that first one.
Fantastic shots, my favorite is the last one.
Thanks for sharing those pictures : I love tigers ! Et this one is splendid, indeed !
I know these are candid shots. Truly natural... BUT, it's hard to believe it's possible to catch the mood of a tiger the way you did here.
Awesome. Incredibly good photos!
Beautiful photography of a majestic animal.
Thomas, that's an awesome series of a royal animal. The first one with that look is exceptional.
Really amazing tiger shots. my favorite is the one of the tiger stepping onto the dirt road, I think it's the wildness of the tiger and the man made road. really good series especially since you were hanging out of a jeep!!
Stunning captures of the King Thomas. You never disappoint!
superb!!!!!!
Really cool photos! TigerRRRR!! :)
Walk the wilderness - indeed. Really great work!
Great series, very majestic looking animal.. Very nice work
Great shots, I love cats.... hihi
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