It was wee hours in Jim Corbett National Park and there, we were tracking a tiger. It was cold and quiet. Though there were many people around, we still could hear leaves dropping on the ground. There was almost a tangible tension that was mounting up following the roar that we were chasing. Commotion amidst the calmness. Deer were making the call and we were almost too sure that the tiger was near us. We stood still, eyes tearing deep into the woods and ears open to any and every sound.
I was manning the camera with a big zoom lens, panning the camera to get a better look into the deeps of jungle bushes. Suddenly, out in the distance, I saw a shadow moving very slowly. It was a lone tusker. A huge elephant slowly moving towards the water body. I was then reminded that being in a National Park does not always necessarily mean that we get to see the apex predator. It is the immense diversity of flora and fauna that makes up the jungle.
We sped directly towards the tusker. He, with his graceful walk, was continuing on the path to the water body. Maintaining a safe distance, I started clicking pictures. We spent a good amount of time with him and he was also patient with us around. There were few moments where we thought that he was about to charge us but luckily, for us, he did not.
Here are few of the pictures depicting the sheer size of the animal. It was a wholesome experience in my books.
I will be sharing more such stories - About this tusker, Birds we spotted and a glance of the majestic beast. Stay Tuned!!!
If he was to charge here, we had no space to outrun him.
Instead, he decided to cool himself down with a mud bath.
Walked away as we were of no interest to him.
Walking on ramps is so over rated.
