I just realised that I am at my 1000th post. So took a break from posting comments and dug out this image from my files. This is special for me as this was the first time when I was charged by a tiger. It is not something to be proud off but it was a big moment.
It is time for me to reflect, as this is the first time I have posted so much online.
This is one of the dominant male tigers in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in India. This image was before it charged at me.
I was tracking this huge male tiger. It is notoriously shy of human beings and often charges at the vehicles. This tiger gave me a slip twice, but I predicted its route and was waiting for it near a grassland. Soon another jeep with two French tourists appeared. I was waiting for about twenty minutes before the tiger appeared at a distance on my left. The other jeep was in front of my jeep. When the tiger tried to cross the road, the other jeep driver moved the jeep ahead and positioned it in front of the tiger. The tiger was about forty to fifty feet away, but sat down near a bush when it realized that the jeep is trying to block its path.
After some time, I realised that though the tiger was trying to cross in front of my jeep, it was coming straight in our direction. I had rested my lens on the side seat of the open jeep and was shooting. Rama Shankar - my driver - was afraid of this tiger, due to its past reputation and also the manner in which it was growling. He suddenly decided to move the vehicle ahead, when the tiger was about twenty feet away from us. The moment he started the engine, the tiger charged. I lost my balance and fell on the jeep floor. I could just see that the tiger and our vehicle were running parallel to each other with the tiger’s head turned towards us and he was continually growling. And suddenly our vehicle slowed down and the tiger crossed in front of us. The charge happened at a split second and was over perhaps within a minute. My driver was speechless. I was really annoyed with him, as he started the vehicle without my instructions. However, it was not the fault of the tiger. People try to block the path of the tiger - and tiger being a gentleman – sits down and waits for people to pass. This helps people to click a few shots. Most of the drivers do this to impress their clients as they get substantial tips after such an incident. However, I believe these incidents cause a lot of stress to the animals and should be avoided.
Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF 300mm F4 L IS USM, ISO 100, F4, 1/60 sec. Full frame.
Congrats on your 1000th Sabyasachi. Thanks for sharing your story related to the image. Great enviromental shot, showing the tiger with a growling pose. I like the vegatation colours, and Im sure these guys are pretty well camaflauged. I think you have exposed the colours perfectly, and overall, a great image. Well done.
Congrats, Sabyasach, on reaching 1000 posts and surviving your encounters with the tigers. ;) Your input on the forum has been really helpful and appreciated.
Sabyasachi, I love the story and I love the Image! The over the shoulder snarl is quite impressive. There is nothing quite like capturing a powerful predator with attitude. Well done.
Congratulations, Sabyasachi. Great story, great image and great effort reaching 1000. Your comments are always appreciated as being well considered, gentle and encouraging.
Fantastic image Sabyasachi and I enjoyed a lot with the reading. Fully agree with you about the the tigers. Congratulations for the 1000th post, I have enjoyed a lot with your stories about animals and conservation and with your excelent critic style. I wish you a very happy 2009 for you, your family and your beloved tigers :-)