After three hours of a winding, jolting and a dusty ride in an open 20-seater, we all were pretty disappointed. Then, across a gradual climb we saw tens of safari vehicles lined up down a slope. Vehicles were all lined up two abreast. Zone-1 having been temporarily closed, almost 30 vehicles of both Zone-4 and Zone-1 had converged there.
Tigress Shakti with her two cubs had been spotted across the stream. Hidden in dense grass. Shooting against the sunlight was a challenge. Sharing few pictures below.
Zoom and spot a faint tigress in the grass above.
Another short video clip by Animesh.
The story doesn't end there. As we were on our return leg with failing light, we toom a detour. Suddenly, a co-passenger who runs a wildlife travels business, spotted another tiger. About 50 metres away. It retraced its path. We manouvered closer to it. And again, it appeared from the bushes. This time moving towards our vehicle. If kept coming closer and closer. Like the saluting dias on a parade ground, it majestically walked past us and then took a left turn to cross thr dirt track and disappear into the jungle. It's home. She was Riddhi. The showstopper for us. Pictures and video for you.
The story still doesn't end here.
As we were returning, we saw all the vehicles lined up once again. This time, all eyes on a cliff a km away. A solitary leopard had perched itself on top of the cliff. See our long distance shot followed by a picture shared by the forest guide.
After sighting the Tigers and a Leopard, a sloth bear also gave a brief 'darshan'. Sloth bears are sighted in the wild, at a lesser probability than the tigers. So, we were really lucky.
After such an eventful day, a campfire was in order. Few pictures.
Readers can get a feel of the Tiger Reserve as well as our resort in the pictures below.
Sharing the link of our earlier sighting of the fearsome tiger T-24 of Ranthambhor who is no more.
Tiger After 27 Years - When we sighted a tiger for the first time in 27 years. And that too T-24. See him growling below.
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By now these majestic creature must be recognizing you by your smell Sir. Too Good. Thanks for sharing Sir. Best as always@ Rakesh
ReplyDeleteThanks much Rakesh. It is always a treat to be in a forest.
DeleteThank you sir for such a detailed insight...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful narration as always...very adventurous & thrilling....Zindagi ke bharpoor maze le rahe ho Professor Sahab...keep it up...keep going..
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ghumakkad's well wisher.
DeleteAppreciate.
Been there, seen that. Ranthambore has had an explosion of tiger population and hence a few tigers strayed to outskirts of jungle, a few had to be shot in the last 1 year after they attacked and killed guards.
ReplyDeleteMe and my Bridge friends had been there 3 years ago and we saw atleast 5 tigers from close distance, one walked for nearly 2 km in front of our jeep and we almost got bored. Saw a few crocks in the lake too
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
DeleteMan animal conflict is a challenge. But forest tribes have happily cohabited for centuries.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
DeleteMan animal conflict is a challenge. But forest tribes have happily cohabited for centuries.
Great to sight these majestic animals. Worth the 24 year wait, would I say!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Krish.
DeleteExcellent reporting with thrilling pictures, Ghumakkad ! Many thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVeena and Anand Khandekar
Ghumakkad thanks Khandekars, our regular readers.
DeleteGreat. Admire you courageous visits to wild life. By now you must have attained skill to guess the behaviour of these creatures and they also know you well.
ReplyDeleteGood to see the beautiful pictures.
Thanks much Prof LSB for your appreciation.
DeleteGorgeous pictures ...I'm sure they are out to greet and welcome you always !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Ruma.
DeleteCan't say for the tigers, but I feel thrilled every time I visit a jungle.
Dear Cmde Harsh sir,
ReplyDelete**बधाई हो मेरे दोस्त! 🐅**
*Ghumakkad* जी, आपकी Ranthambhor यात्रा का यह वृत्तांत पढ़कर और तस्वीरों को देखकर मन प्रसन्न हो गया। तीन घंटे की धूल भरी, उबड़-खाबड़ सफ़र के बाद भी निराशा को विजय में बदल देना — यही तो असली *Ghumakkad* का हुनर है।
शक्ति टाइग्रेस और उसके शावकों की झलक, फिर ऋद्धि का वह शाही अंदाज़ में आपके क़रीब से गुज़रना — जैसे परेड ग्राउंड पर सलामी दे रही हो — क्या शानदार पल रहे होंगे! और तेंदुए की चट्टान पर विराजमान मुद्रा, और स्लॉथ बियर का दुर्लभ दर्शन — सचमुच *किस्मत* ने साथ दिया।
आपका travellogue हमेशा की तरह जीवंत, रोमांचक और प्रेरणादायक है। Video clips ने तो जान डाल दी।
**ये तो बस शुरुआत है मेरे दोस्त,**
**अभी और कितने जंगल, कितने रास्ते बाक़ी हैं।**
**'Ghumakkad' की यायावरी जारी रहे,**
**हर सफ़र में नए क़िस्से साथी बनते रहें।** 🙏
Stay blessed, stay wandering!
Warm regards - Kishor
Thanks Kishor for your encouraging words.
DeleteHighly appreciated.
What an interesting read uncle...it's like sitting there in the vehicle with you!👌
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Rachael.
DeleteLet's do an outing together ❤️