We have been subject to many a mock charges by Asiatic Elephants. And every experience has been unique and exciting. However, it was the first time that we found a wild Tusker blocking our Jeep and believe us, it was an absolutely thrilling experience! We were exiting the Nagarhole national park when we spotted this huge Tusker standing at a turn in the road. Normally when spotted, wild Elephants quickly move into the latana and hide themselves. But this Tusker was very different. He literally blocked the road and kept moving closer and closer to us, reducing our chances of driving past him.
He moved forward and at every step he would pause for a few minutes to check our reaction and then continue walking.
All this while we were photographing him at 600mm focal length using the 300mm f2.8 lens mounted with the 2x TC. But at this point he was so close that we had to remove the convertor and shoot at 300mm. While all this was happening, the teenage daughter of one of our friends, who was in the Jeep starting getting a bit scared. She had been completely rattled by another mock charge experience the previous day and was not very happy to see this huge fella move towards our Jeep. We did not want to upset her further and immediately started the Jeep engine. As soon as we did that, the wild Tusker turned and quickly disappeared into the lantana.
We must say that watching a huge male Asiatic Tusker getting larger and larger in your viewfinder is an adrenalin rush and is definitely not for the faint-hearted!!
He moved forward and at every step he would pause for a few minutes to check our reaction and then continue walking.
All this while we were photographing him at 600mm focal length using the 300mm f2.8 lens mounted with the 2x TC. But at this point he was so close that we had to remove the convertor and shoot at 300mm. While all this was happening, the teenage daughter of one of our friends, who was in the Jeep starting getting a bit scared. She had been completely rattled by another mock charge experience the previous day and was not very happy to see this huge fella move towards our Jeep. We did not want to upset her further and immediately started the Jeep engine. As soon as we did that, the wild Tusker turned and quickly disappeared into the lantana.We must say that watching a huge male Asiatic Tusker getting larger and larger in your viewfinder is an adrenalin rush and is definitely not for the faint-hearted!!
22 comments:
WoW!! he looks so majestic! It must have been a wonderful experience!!!
Yeh I guess you're right, to see him becoming bigger and bigger in the viewer is probably quite impressive, just as this set of pictures which is once again fantastic!!!
You probably lived one of the most exciting experience and got nice pictures out of it... Congrats!!!
We had some cows block our path at the Charles M Russell Wildlife Refuge which was a bit disconcerting. (I'm used to herding cows not the other way around.) I can't imagine having this big fella step in your way. Yikes!
amazing road block indeed and fantastic photos as always!
I've experienced a couple of "mock charges" where the elephant actually runs at the car and stops short.... It's a bit worrying. Definitely gets the message across though! Great shots.
Wow, what a great experience. Wonderful images. I would have been excited about getting the images and also very intimidated by them. They can certainly be dangerous. Stay safe~
Beautiful shots. He is very majestic.
Great shots Thomas I had the same experience in the Kruger this elephant blocked the road for 30 Min. It finally moved back into the Bush excellent shots :)
nice blog and nice photo; bravo
Kabini never disappoints..as for share of blockades, Ive had my share of them too across kaziranga to kabini
Wonderful photographs of an awesome experience!
Oh Wow Thomas, beautiful images. I probably be scared too, but he is just majestic. Thanks for sharing your photographs and the experience. Elephants are my all time favorite animals. Anna :)
Oh my! First I read about lions prowling around the house in MOnkeys on the Roof, and then I read your blog with elephants charging your jeep while you take photos.
Some areas of this world are definitely more exciting than others.
that's one thing i like about your shooting wildlife there.. the thrill of the chase.. :) you've got great storytelling too.. :)
wow! it would have been a really thrilling experience!
Hi Thomas, this is a really exciting meeting.
Have a good day
So majestic. How well you have captured that quality.
I love elephants. they look so sad. magnificent animals. you are so lucky to see and be with all of the animals and birds you photograph.
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nice photo; and nice blog congratulations
Brilliant post and beautiful animal and photos as always :0)
Another set of great captures, Thomas. I would be quaking in my seat too if a bull elephant was making his slow but steady way toward a vehicle I was in. That certainly takes a strong set of nerves.
Great encounter, and lovely photos!
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