Yuvraj The Tiger of Tadoba

My name is Yuvraj. Yuvraj the tiger not the cricketer- what with the IPL-25 season just concluded!

I like to cool myself in a pool. While in the pool, I submerge rest of my body but keep my head above water. Literally. I like to keep my eyes and face dry. See my picture shot by Ghumakkad. 

I like to take a mud bath. It may discolour my golden skin, but it acts as a cleanser. See another picture below.

While I am in the pool, I am aware that hordes of humans are waiting to see my face. 

I don't like to be disturbed. That's why I keep my face away from the humans. 

The back of a tiger's ears have a white and balck coloured patch. It looks like eyes. But it is only Nature's deception for any possible attackers from the rear. See the picture below.

I know that the humans are waiting for me. Some of them leave after waiting for 30 minutes in the noon sun. But those with patience, like Ghumakkad and his companions, keep waiting. Patience pays. I decide to get up and leave the pool. 'At last' said many humans waiting with their telephoto lenses.

It was time for me to return where I belong. The jungle. Jungle is my home. 

They call me the king of the jungle. But I live there along with fellow animals and birds. Ghumakkad took many pictures, some of which I am sharing below.

The barking deer or Muntjac. It alerts all the animals about the tiger's presence in the vicinity.

Hope you enjoyed being with me. Do visit Yuvraj at Tadoba again. Bye till then.

That was Yuvraj the Tiger. Special thanks are due to Sunil our Forest Guide and Kishor the Gypsy driver. They showed tremendous patience. The light had faded when we finished the safari at Khutwanda gate. Ghumakkad was behind the lens hence not in the picture!

We share below some of our earlier stories on Tadoba, its Tigers, flora and fauna. Just click the link to browse the picture story.

More Than Tiger Sighting - The forest is larger than the tiger. The picture story shows how and why tigers eneter the water backwards?

Follow Me  Said the Tigress - Have you ever seen a Tigress doing a cat walk? Click to browse Sonam's real-life cat walk in Tadoba!

Maya The Tigress of Tadoba - This picture story depicts Maya's maya (माया ) which casts a spell on the visitors. Seen with her cubs, she has mesmerised thousands of visitors to Tadoba.

Tiger Ahoy! - The thrill of tiger sighting in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.

Remember tiger sighting is a matter of chance. This is conveyed so beautifully in a cartoon in Tadoba. See the picture below.

Thanks for browsing and stay connected. More stories about a Tigress and Tadoba's dying bamboos are coming up!

   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Tadoba/ 5th June 2025/ World Environment Day 2025

#tadoba #tatr #tiger #yuvrajthetiger #Tigerreserve #TigerSighting #Langur #BarkingDeer #SpottedDeer #wildlife #wildlifephotography #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Birds of Tadoba

Matching the Majesty of the Tiger- Magical Birds of Tadoba

Tadoba is known for its tigers. Rightly so.

But tigers can’t thrive unless they get their prey like spotted deer, sambhar, bison and langurs. And these animals can’t survive unless there is plenty of grass and leaves to eat -- which means there has to be enough trees and plants. And who assures the growth of trees, plants and flowers? Birds. How?

Birds help in pollination of trees, plants and flowers. They are an essential part of the food chain- even a school child will tell us that.

Therefore, if the King of the Jungle continues to rule his kingdom, birds are an essential part of it. Tadoba jungles are an example of balanced environment. 

Having seen the tigers in the wild , this story captures the birds sighted in Tadoba during two days in May 2015. Those of you who wish to go to Tadoba by road from Hyderabad , browse the story.

A word about photography from a moving 4x4 vehicle in the jungle. It is a tough call to capture birds from a moving vehicle. It is best done on foot. However, in Tiger reserves, you are not allowed to get out of the vehicle. Therefore, you try your best to keep the camera steady. Use a tripod or a monopod or even a bean bag kept on the handle bar of the safari vehicle!

See the picture below which has camera shake despite the precautions.

But photographers don't give up easily. Here are some selected shots. For ease of readability, we have categorised the birds of Tadoba into the following categories:

1.      Jungle beauties
2.      Waders and ducks
3.      Predators

Jungle Beauties

Lapwings in flight, probably trying to ward off a predator attacking a young duckling.

Animals and birds exist peacefully in the jungle.

Even the langurs are keen bird watchers!

 Waders

The lakes in Tadoba are home to many varieties of ducks.

Predators can't be far! We could capture two of them. Oriental Honey Buzzard (OHB) which feeds on the honey from beehives. We spotted an OHB near the lake to have water. Notice the beak and the talons.

Another OHB silhouetted against the sky.

And the mighty Eagle-- the Indian Serpent Eagle.

Oops, and the camera captured some birds of a different kind!

We also saw the nail marks of wild boar/sloth bear who feed on bees. It climbs a tree having beehives.

See some more pictures of birds from earlier 'shoots' in Ranthambhore Tiger Park.

It was time to say good bye to Tadoba.

Hope you enjoyed the birds.

Please do share your experience/pictures.

Bye till the next post,

     -   Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 1st June 2015