Tiger Trifecta; Thirty Three sightings of Twenty Three Tigers in Ten and a half days

[wilddog]

So just to add a few things from Pench.......................

 

Pench Centre Point (rest area) where we 'met' Mogli

 

 

 

When I went to India in 2004 Elephant riding was permitted. This practice has long gone but elephants are still used for ranger patrols.

 

We often dropped by at Elephant Camp as it had 'facilities'  Not the best rest rooms ever! but when you are desperate............. I think this is the one that John Wier would not use

 

 

a Ghost Tree

 

 

A few of wildlife photos from me...............

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very disappointed Laxmi

 

 

A lovely Langur baby with Mum

 

 

 

 

Videos of leopards...................

 

 

 

 

and video of the Golden Jackal on a mission.

 

This took place as we headed towards the rest area and it lasted 10 minutes.

 

We have no idea what was driving him on, but when we reached the rest area we found vultures on a kill, but our friend did not make an appearance..............................

 

 

 

On 12th March we would head for Kabini

 

 

and a final note on Pench.

 

This was my first ever sighting of the Dohl, although it was very brief and the sighting of the 2 Sloth Bear disappearing was equally valuable.  Both were on my wish list for this trip.

 

 

Edited May 12, 2023 by wilddog

[wilddog]

Not our best 24 hours- but stuff happens

 

When we are still at home, it was suggested that we change our over night accommodation in Bangalore, to the Taj Bangalore (at the airport). This was suggested due to the fact that the previously reserved hotel had changed it’s style/ethos etc. The Taj is expensive but, after discussion Lynn and I agreed to share again, to reduce our costs

 

Subsequently, whilst in India, Indigo airlines changed the flight out of Nagpur from 16.20 hours to 22.00 hrs, arriving in Bangalore at 23.45. There was really no alternative to this. WWI negotiated for us to have a full morning drive at Jamtara, keep our accommodation until later, and have some lunch at the camp, before setting off for Nagpur Airport.

 

Our morning drive was enjoyable, if unremarkable, and after we had had a nice lunch and finalised our packing we set off for Nagpur Airport, saying goodbye to our WWI guide, Rajen, en route.

 

The airport formalities, and the flight, were uneventful and we finally arrived at the Taj at………….12.30 am or 1.00 am. the following day. Having been awake from about 4.00 am, we were tired to say the least.

 

On arrival, at the Taj, we were advised we had been upgraded for the night (morning).That sounded nice until we got to the room………… no extras (fruit and such like) ………..and just one enormous double bed!!!!!!

 

Lynn was, as always very diplomatic, and pointed out the problem to the staff, noting we were not a couple. After a couple of phone calls it became clear than no twin bedded rooms were available.

 

For me this was the last straw. I quite simply ‘lost it’ , as the saying goes, and told the staff that what they could do NOW was get me a glass of red wine,. Lynn very cleverly said it should be complimentary. We accepted defeat in the bed front and the wine duly arrived. 

 

We both slept well, with my complimentary half bottle of red calming me down. We hardly moved all night due to exhaustion

 

I should just note 2 things.

• WWI had made it clear to the Taj we needed twin beds
• Lynn and I got on superbly during our sharing at Jamtara, and elsewhere. 2 totally different people, who worked it all out well, and I would be happy to share with her (In twin beds!) anytime.

 

So the next morning we set off for Kabini from the Taj, by road. The final chapter of our trip was about to begin, and what a chapter it would turn out to be.

 

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by wilddog

[Atravelynn]

Thanks for the videos. They bring back fond memories of the speedy jackal that shared the road and roadside with us, and two of our four leopards we saw in Pench.

 

After the red wine was ordered at Taj Bangalore, I put on my sleep mask and immediately conked out.  It was not until the following morning that I learned it was a half bottle of wine.  Linda deserved every last drop!

 

Though the Taj Bangalore’s fruit plate and cheese knife were bereft of actual fruit or cheese, the sprawling breakfast buffet, sampled a few hours later, was truly a spectacle to behold.

 

The drive from the Taj Bangalore to Kaav in Pench was 7:30 am to 12:15 pm.  We arrived in time to have lunch with Hari and his sister.  Finally, we had made it to Kabini!

 

Hari had wanted us to come to Kabini for quite some time to see the array of wildlife and with luck find the black leopard.  It was finally the perfect opportunity to visit the park Hari enjoys so much and supports so generously.  The black leopard was rarely seen anymore when we booked the trip, having moved to inaccessible areas. But in the airport in Nagpur, waiting for the flight to Bangalore, a WhatsApp came in from Hari.  The black leopard had returned and was being seen in Kabini.

 

Upon arrival at Kaav we observed that the Sightings Board showed the black leopard had been spotted daily for the past 3-4 days, so it definitely was around and visible.

 

Kabini proved to be a happening place, or as Linda put it, "what a chapter it would turn out to be."

 

To put the “happening chapter place” into perspective:

 

(1) Of my 324 keeper photos from Bandhavgarh, Pench, and Kabini, 178 were from Kabini.  That’s 55%.

 

(2) I rarely used my Nikon Coolpix P1000 with 125x zoom in Kabini because the activity was close enough not to need it.  See the comparison chart.

 

 

Of the 10 shots in Kabini using the 125x zoom, 4 were of birds on Kaav grounds.

 

(3) Breaking down the numbers from the title of the report, a lot happened in Kabini. 

 

 

Wasting no time demonstrating its happening status, within 40 minutes of our first Kabini drive (afternoon), we had an excellent tiger sighting.  A female called Maggie was at a waterhole, left, then returned and made the rounds for us.

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.

 

 

Sighting #19 Female Maggie in Kabini. Between 0 and about 6 vehicles from start to finish of this sighting.  She is calling her two cubs, which remained hidden.

 

On the first morning’s outing in Kabini, without our good luck charm Hari who was attending to business, we did not see much.  In fact, I have zero pictures.  But we did get word that the black leopard had been spotted in the park.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Atravelynn

[janzin]

Ugh, I can barely stand to read this section of the report, as we had such terrible luck in Kabini just a few weeks before you. Eight safaris and not a single tiger photo to show for it. But, you just never know with wildlife, that's for sure, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad for your success there. Still, there was a lot about the way Kabini is run that we felt made it very difficult, but you'll have to wait for my trip report to hear why!

[Atravelynn]

15 minutes ago, janzin said:

Ugh, I can barely stand to read this section of the report, as we had such terrible luck in Kabini just a few weeks before you. The way the weather is going, there may be quite a difference in Kabini in March vs Feb now. Eight safaris and not a single tiger photo to show for it. But, you just never know with wildlife, that's for sure, Always luck is involved.  Our first morning, nothing.  We actually were stopped for a while at a mating leopard sighting, but too many vehicles to see a single thing, so in essence nothing.  and don't get me wrong, I'm glad for your success there.  Thanks and you did get lots of birds, way more than we did I am sure. Still, there was a lot about the way Kabini is run that we felt made it very difficult, but you'll have to wait for my trip report to hear why!

I will be very interested in your findings.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Atravelynn

[wilddog]

@janzin once we reached Kabini we were told that February, normally good for tiger, had not been this year.  As we have already discussed at length in this TR, predicting the best time is difficult.

 

We went at the time we did, because I was targeting Feb/March and Lynn had another commitment which meant we could not go before the beginning of March.

 

Try not be too disheartened. Next time it could be the other way round. 

Edited April 29, 2023 by wilddog

[wilddog]

Just to rewind.... @madaboutcheetahbecame involved in our planning, for Kabini, as soon as he realised we had this on our potential itinerary. (March 22). Thanks, Hari, your involvement was invaluable.

 

Hari lives within a few hours drive of Kabini, visits there quite regularly and, as many members know, brought to this forum the first sightings of the black leopard some years ago now.

 

We took his advice about where to stay, Kaav Lodge. It was later that he said he had booked to join us, at Kaav, on this trip, Lynn has met him a few times and I met up with him once in London may years ago. This was a huge bonus, as well as a delight.

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by wilddog

[wilddog]

Kaav Lodge, Kabini,

The lodge comprised a house converted into 4 apartments upstairs, with public areas below. There were also some separate accommodations on stilts a short distance from the central area. Our accommodation was in one of the apartments.

 

On our arrival we were met by Hari and his sister Beena, as well as the camp staff.

 

The approach to the main building

 

The separate accommodation

 

The dining area

 

The separate lounge area where we spent much time with Hari and Beena for pre Dinner drinks

 

Around the camp (Lynn searching for birds including the resident Flycatcher)

 

 

 

Our accommodation- I seem not to have taken a photo of our sleeping area (single beds) which was spacious and very comfortable ? Did you get one @Atravelynn

 

 

and the resident dogs

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by wilddog

[wilddog]

A couple of my pictures of our first sighting of Maggie (Tiger 14) who would prove to be the star, in many ways, of our time in Kabini.

 

 

Edited April 29, 2023 by wilddog

[Atravelynn]

10 hours ago, wilddog said:

Our accommodation- I seem not to have taken a photo of our sleeping area (single beds) which was spacious and very comfortable ? Did you get one @Atravelynn

I did not get a picture of our single beds or any other features at Kaav.  That's actually a compliment to Kaav, to the good company and hospitality of Hari and Beena and to guide Sujith.

As Linda’s photo above shows, I spent non-safari time on the lovely Kaav grounds in search of birds, etc.  At the end of each day, Hari and Beena treated us to drinks and even a cheese board and were a delight to socialize with.  Guide Sujith offered an insect and reptile safari on the grounds one night and another evening showed a fascinating photo presentation on wildlife stories of Kabini.  There was so much happening (in this happening place) I never got around to lodge photos.  Glad Linda took the time and effort to get the accommodation shots.

 

But Hari’s suggestion to stay at Kaav was an excellent one from both a location standpoint and an amenities standpoint.  For example, as we were driving to Kaav from Bangalore we got a phone call from the manager asking about our food preferences.  Linda and I both were open to most anything but emphasized, “Nothing too hot!”  The food was excellent and not too hot, and such variety—everything from a welcome drink in a coconut to a local breakfast pancake-type specialty known as Dosa.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Atravelynn

[Atravelynn]

Seen on the grounds of Kaav:

Red-whiskered Bulbul from my Kaav balcony in Kabini

 

 

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher seen from the outdoor dining area in Kaav

 

 

Red-vented Bulbul feeding chick on Kaav Grounds in Kabini

 

 

Paradise Flycatcher seen from outdoor dining area at Kaav

 

 

Paradise Flycatcher seen from outdoor dining area at Kaav

 

 

Lizard on grounds of Kaav

 

 

Coppersmith Barbet chick on Kaav grounds

 

 

Coppersmith Barbet feeding chick on Kaav grounds

 

 

Coppersmith Barbet with chick inside on Kaav grounds

 

 

Huntsman spider on right, exoskeleton from the spider on left.  Seen on night walk safari with Guide Sujith at Kaav.

 

 

Walking stick seen on night walk safari with Guide Sujith on Kaav grounds

 

 

Back to the tigers.  We found a female with 4 nearly adult cubs who still remained nearby.  Sightings # 20, #21, #22, #23 were of Temple Female and 3 of her 4 cubs.    Only one of the cubs was photographable.

Sightings #20 & #21 Temple Female (back to us) and her nearly adult cub, big as the mother, looking through the brush in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sightings #20 & #21 Temple Female (back to us) and her nearly adult cub getting a nuzzle in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini.  Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20  Temple Female in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female anticipating a drink in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female  in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20  Temple Female marking her territory in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female, in Kabini. Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini.  Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

 

Sighting #20 Temple Female in Kabini.  Gumball Rally with 10-15 vehicles.

 

 

Sightings #22 & #23 were two of the nearly grown cubs running across an open area as the light faded.  One of the Gumball Rally vehicles pulled in front of us on the side of the road with standing guests, so no photos.  A consolation was the light was likely too low to catch the moving tigers in a photo.

 

Sujith had us positioned nicely to see the activities of the Temple Female and the other vehicles were not intrusive and not even very noticeable until the one pulled in front of us on the side of the road.

Edited May 7, 2023 by Atravelynn

[wilddog]

Temple Tigerress Portrait from me (Tiger 15-Sighting 20)

 

and rear view of her with one of her Cubs (Tiger16- Sighting 21)

 

Edited April 30, 2023 by wilddog

[Atravelynn]

We were the last to arrive at a morning Gumball Rally, so we knew something exciting had been happening.  It was the female Maggie, described by Linda as “the star, in many ways, of our time in Kabini.”

Sighting #24 Female Maggie in Kabini.  No vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

We stopped about about 25 yards/meters away from the line of vehicles, leaving a big gap in the road between them and us, and observed Maggie at a distance as she sat in front of the brush.  She promptly got up and walked along the brushline in the direction of our vehicle and collected her two 4-month old cubs.  A moving and magical sighting unfolded in front of us.

Sightings #24, #25, #26 There are 2 cubs present with their mother, Maggie in Kabini.  One is well hidden in the brush. No vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

 

Maggie and one of her two 4-month old cubs, Kabini.  No vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

 

 

 

 

The bolder of the two cubs, Kabini.

 

The mother tiger communicates with her cub, Kabini.

 

The mother and cub tiger interaction was very moving to watch in real time.  But this touching exchange was the source of another heartwarming encounter.  When I got home, I shared some of these photos on my tablet at a family gathering.  My sister-in-law who has Alzheimer’s never had any interest in wildlife, travel, or nature but she was a phenomenal homemaker and devoted mother to five children, now grown.  She looked through my photos distractedly and said very little. But, when I scrolled to this next shot, she put her finger on Maggie the tiger stated loudly, “Look, that mother is calling to her cub!”  Somehow recognizing and responding to the maternal bond transcends time, species and cognitive decline.

Maggie calling to her cub, the bolder one.

 

The cub answering its mother.

 

By now the Gumball Rally, approached, no longer 25 yards/meters away, but none of the vehicles passed or surrounded us, so our vehicle was at the front of the line of cars.  Our view of the tigers was unobstructed, except for trees here and there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother and bold cub, Kabini.  15-18 vehicles

 

Shy cub running back into the brush.  15-18 vehicles.

 

 

The mother realized the shy cub had fled back into the brush so she returned to fetch the little guy.

 

Bold cub, Kabini.  15-18 vehicles, which this bold cub ignores.

 

Bold cub following his mother who is retrieving the shy cub from the brush, Kabini.  15-18 vehicles, which this bold cub ignores.

 

 

 

Mother and cub, Kabini.  15-18 vehicles, but as the photo shows, they were not close to the tigers.  For my own shots, I blurred out the tires in the background.

 

 

 

This bold cub is with the mother now, but was also comfortable laying in the middle of the road alone with a line of vehicles behind while the mother approached the shy cub.

 

Shy cub peeking out of the long grass, gazing toward its mother and sibling, Kabini.  15-18 vehicles.

 

 

Maggie the mother and bold cub to the rescue of the shy cub, 15-18 vehicles.

 

 

We realized the shy cub needed more space to be comfortable in the open, so we backed up, again putting at least 25 yards between us and the line of vehicles and creating a big gap along the road.  Guide Sujith deserves credit for putting the tigers first and not just trying to get his guests as close as possible.   So now we were alone or maybe there was one other vehicle on our side of the 25 yard/meter gap now.

 

Maggie and both cubs, Kabini. 0-1 other vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

 

 

 

Another attempt to relocate both cubs, Kabini.  0-1 other vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

 

Taking time to mark territory, Kabini

 

 

Kabini, 0-1 vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My only shot of just the 2 cubs

 

 

At this point I lost track of which was the bold and which was the shy cub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is enough space between our vehicle and the line of other vehicles for the shy cub to feel comfortable crossing with its sibling and mother.

Sightings #24, #25, # 26 Maggie and her two 4-month old cubs cross the road, then disappear. Kabini.  0-1 vehicles near us, 15-18 vehicles 25 yards away.

 

 

Viewing something as thrilling and unexpected as this may mean emotions cloud our memories, kind of like witnesses to a crime may give differing accounts.  Perhaps Linda and Hari recall a slightly different sequence or different unfolding of events.  I look forward to their recollections and accounts.

 

Our morning of excitement was not over.

Edited May 2, 2023 by Atravelynn

[michael-ibk]

Aww, what a most wonderful sighting. Very precious. Great photos Lynn! 

[Atdahl]

Wow!  What an amazing encounter!

[wilddog]

Lynn has illustrated this 20 minute long encounter with Maggie and her two cubs beautifully.

 

The most moving part was watching the effort Maggie made to get the shy cub to appear and join them. As can be seen from the photographs one was very confident and was within our sight constantly and not afraid to wait on her own or run ahead of Mum. But the other was very nervous

 

It took a total of 3 attempts to get the shy one to finally cross the road. 

 

I did a bit of videoing of this and you can hear Maggie growling quietly and see her waiting patiently. 

 

The video ends when the shy cub bolted back to the bush, for the second time.

 

 

It was at this point that we all agreed we should reverse back to create a wider gap. Sujith communicated with the 2 or 3 vehicles behind and we all reversed. 

 

Finally, as you can see from Lynns photographs, the cub joined Maggie and the sibling and they headed off

 

It was a fabulous encounter and one we will never forget.

[madaboutcheetah]

Ladies, hello from Tanzania …. Just a quick glance here and puts a smile on my face. 
 

btw - met an Italian lady here who claims she invented the hashtag #madaboutcheetah. I was totally bewildered…. I’ve had the screen name here since what 2007 ????? That’s waaay before Instagram or hash tags !! Anyway, sorry to digress from kabini … thought it’s a ticklish update from here !

Edited May 2, 2023 by madaboutcheetah

[wilddog]

Hi Hari Nice of you to drop by on your travels.

 

There will always, only be one @madaboutcheetah

 

Looking forward to hearing about your trip, and hopefully you will have time to add some comments, thoughts and photographs in this thread when you get back.

Edited May 2, 2023 by wilddog

[KaliCA]

Hello all,

what an absolutely lovely and unforgettable encounter this must have been! Wow! I’m blown away. Also nice to see that not one vehicle was crowding in too much. And your guide hat the instinct to not join the group in the beginning and it paid off handsomely for all of you “machine gunning” away and sharing your pics and video with us. 
Many thanks for your words and pics. Such a treat!
(BTW, Our guide agreed to postpone our three week trip by two weeks and now our first day in India will be February 25 and most of the time in parks will be in March. Hopefully, it will add to our chances!)

[Atravelynn]

On 5/1/2023 at 2:00 AM, michael-ibk said:

Aww, what a most wonderful sighting. Very precious. Great photos Lynn! 

We were all thrilled. 

On 5/1/2023 at 9:54 AM, Atdahl said:

Wow!  What an amazing encounter!

Even Sujith, a guide in Kabini since about 2019 thought it was his best sighting.

20 hours ago, madaboutcheetah said:

Ladies, hello from Tanzania …. Just a quick glance here and puts a smile on my face.  We look forward to your contribution to the report.
 

btw - met an Italian lady here who claims she invented the hashtag #madaboutcheetah. I was totally bewildered…. I’ve had the screen name here since what 2007 ????? That’s waaay before Instagram or hash tags !! Anyway, sorry to digress from kabini … thought it’s a ticklish update from here !  Thanks for the update on the international hashtag madaboutcheetah scandal.

 

2 hours ago, KaliCA said:

Hello all,

what an absolutely lovely and unforgettable encounter this must have been! Wow! I’m blown away. Also nice to see that not one vehicle was crowding in too much. And your guide hat the instinct to not join the group in the beginning and it paid off handsomely for all of you “machine gunning” away and sharing your pics and video with us.   That must have been Hari and Beena.  What's funny is I was never aware of the sound at the time.
Many thanks for your words and pics. Such a treat!
(BTW, Our guide agreed to postpone our three week trip by two weeks and now our first day in India will be February 25 and most of the time in parks will be in March. Hopefully, it will add to our chances!)  Wise move!

 

@wilddogThanks for reminding me the shy cub retreated 3 times, which increased the drama of it all.  I had remembered 2 of them. 

[Atravelynn]

Alarm calls had us searching the thicket for a tiger.  We all were concentrating on the jungle in front of us, where we followed the movement of the alarm calls.  Suddenly there was an alarm call of a different sort at the back of our vehicle.  It was Hari whispering, “There’s a tiger right here.” or something like that.  The Temple female was RIGHT behind the vehicle, in stalking mode.  Fortunately, not stalking Hari but something more distant.  We put a little more room between the tiger and us by pulling forward.  We remained close enough that I recall Hari talking about getting good whisker shots.

Sighting #27 Temple Female, Kabini, directly behind our vehicle. Initially no vehicles, then a couple.

 

 

Sighting #27 Temple Female, Kabini, directly behind our vehicle. Initially no vehicles, then a couple.

 

 

Sighting #27 Temple Female, Kabini, directly behind our vehicle. Initially no vehicles, then a couple.

 

 

Sighting #27 Temple Female, Kabini, directly behind our vehicle. Initially no vehicles, then a couple.

 

 

Sighting #27 Temple Female, Kabini, directly behind our vehicle. Initially no vehicles, then a couple.

 

 

Sighting #28  The only tiger I spotted by myself was one of the nearly grown cubs of the Temple Female. The cub was too obscured for photos.

 

Sighting #29 was a tiger known as the Backwater Female entering the brush. I think Linda has photos.

 

Then the rain fell, the first rain of the year in Kabini.  March 15 was way too early for rain, but there it was beating down relentlessly for hours. Although this was the heaviest rain of the trip, we did have rain in Bandhavgarh and Pench also.

 

Edited May 2, 2023 by Atravelynn

[wilddog]

The sighting of the Temple tiger was indeed exciting. We had not intended to stop there but the road was blocked off. 

 

As we sat and listened (or stood in Hari's case) Hari just looked over his shoulder and there she was, right behind him.

 

The first image shows the Temple female. The blurry shadow on the right is @madaboutcheetah's leg! 

 

The tigress was watching sambar deer down in the valley near the water. She spent a lot of time weighing up her hunting options, as you can see from Lynn' photographs, the tigress then made her way around us, using the vehicle as cover..

 

 

You can see the road block in this second picture, as she moves off.

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by wilddog

[wilddog]

Tiger 21 -Sighting 29 

 

The backwater female's daughter edited after Hari's input on ID

It was indeed getting very overcast at this point and the rain was imminent.

 

My photographs are not very good but do show the sighting and the very distinctive pattern on her side.

 

 

The rain then began, and being brave adventurers, we decided to stick it out.

 

But 10 minutes later we were grabbing the ponchos and covering up the cameras and ourselves as best we could, as the heavens opened. We set off for camp rapidly.

 

When we arrived back, the cameras were safe, we were all sitting in puddles on our seats and were ready for a celebratory G&T and another good meal.

 

It had been an amazing day

 

 

Edited May 15, 2023 by wilddog

[Atravelynn]

10 minutes ago, wilddog said:

 

It had been an a amazing day

 

 

Indeed! Maggie and the cubs, Temple Female eyeing Hari's leg (ha ha--her gaze extended beyond the body parts in our vehicle, but Linda's photo shows how very close she was, then the monsoon!)

[wilddog]

There was obviously a lot of discussion that evening, and first thing in the morning, about how much the rain could affect our sightings.

 

The animals would not need to travel to drink as the bush would be full of puddles.........

 

On the other hand, it was suggested that as all the tiger markings on the trees etc would have been washed away, this might encourage them to come out and re-mark their territories

 

Only time would tell.

Edited May 3, 2023 by wilddog