The tigress I met at ranthambore
Apr 20th, 2018, 11:37 PM
#29
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Thanks folks. Cali, this post is from 2012, when I was in Ranthambore that year. I decided to add the recent pics of Kabini here as the topic is related- Indian NPs and its fauna. Also did not want to clutter the forum with more threads.
The sightings this time was fantastic and I think I have the licence to brag that I was very lucky.I also saw the elusive Black Panther, a magnificent male in his prime. Unfortunately he did not offer a good photo opportunity.Believe, after a massive territorial fight with another male, he had gone missing for over a month,after having been badly injured.His presence brought in a lot of forest official and their vehicles.There was quite a crowd milling around.So, there he was Mr. Scarface...happened to get this from a fellow enthusiast
Mr. Scarface
The sightings this time was fantastic and I think I have the licence to brag that I was very lucky.I also saw the elusive Black Panther, a magnificent male in his prime. Unfortunately he did not offer a good photo opportunity.Believe, after a massive territorial fight with another male, he had gone missing for over a month,after having been badly injured.His presence brought in a lot of forest official and their vehicles.There was quite a crowd milling around.So, there he was Mr. Scarface...happened to get this from a fellow enthusiast
Mr. Scarface
Apr 21st, 2018, 12:15 AM
#30
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These photos below of this particular 'cat couple' were shared by fellow enthusiasts and are ' NOT' mine. These are also out in the social media. If the mods do have any issue with it,they are more than welcome to remove them.The reason for sharing these with you folks is that they are the rarest of rare situations photographed in the wild.A sight to behold
Earlier photos of him before he was rechristened 'Scarface"
In a veyr romantic mood
With Lady "Spots"
What a couple they make !!
Earlier photos of him before he was rechristened 'Scarface"
In a veyr romantic mood
With Lady "Spots"
What a couple they make !!
Apr 21st, 2018, 12:28 AM
#31
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Back to my photos...before embarking on a game drive at Kabini River Lodge would seriously advice a beer at the bar at Viceroy's Bungalow....and you get to meet the 'Viceroy' himself..
The coolest cat in the forest
The coolest cat in the forest
Apr 22nd, 2018, 11:55 PM
#35
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Thanks DT.
The 'black' coat of the black panther is said to be a because of melanism, genetic twist where there is an increase of dark pigments in the skin and fur.They do have spots or rosettes like 'normal' leopards but are faintly visible on their dark coats.In other words, normal spots on a dark background.
There is a very good possibility that spotted leopard and black panther to be born in the same litter.There are no other type of genetic variations known.It has to be either spotted or black.
The 'black' coat of the black panther is said to be a because of melanism, genetic twist where there is an increase of dark pigments in the skin and fur.They do have spots or rosettes like 'normal' leopards but are faintly visible on their dark coats.In other words, normal spots on a dark background.
There is a very good possibility that spotted leopard and black panther to be born in the same litter.There are no other type of genetic variations known.It has to be either spotted or black.
Apr 27th, 2018, 03:56 AM
#37
thank you so much Inquest for posting your lovely photos - the tiger is well, magnificent hardly seems the word. And the ones of the leopard/panther are very intriguing - I never knew that about them. Also you have rather changed my mind about going to Ramthambore after saying that the vehicles have to keep to their areas - the "safaris" we went on in Sri Lanka were notable for the fact they didn't do that and I quickly tired of seeing a dozen or more jeeps descending on some poor animal or another.
Those photos were well worth waiting 6 years for!
Those photos were well worth waiting 6 years for!
Apr 30th, 2018, 12:06 AM
#39
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Thx Ann, in fact the the so called 'safaris' or 'game drives in India are rather pathetic,in terms of the kind of vehicles used .They are often in a rather sad condition, the vehicles used not only in Ranthambore but practically every park in India. Its the Indian forest department that rule the roost and wield enormous power. They call the shots and decide what good or bad, right or wrong.They can shut the park gates over night without assigning any reason ( as in the case of Mudumalai Np,in Tamilnadu,adjoining Bandipore in Karnataka).You can say, for them wildlife tourism is incidental or by-the-way, as compared to the positive African approach and the revenue model.Private resorts and lodges surrounding the NPs are often harassed. No private vehicle are allowed into the park.In spite of this , wildlife tourism is on the rise and the density of traffic is very high. This is the reason the department assign designated areas/zones for their vehicles entering the parks.So wildlife sighting is sheer 'luck of the draw'.
But its still a worthwhile experience.Among them is the Jungle Lodges and Resorts ( JLR) in Karnataka is among the best as its a quasi-government establishment,they have some wonderful properties in Karnataka. Some of the Fodorites here have experienced them.I think Cali is one of them.
But its still a worthwhile experience.Among them is the Jungle Lodges and Resorts ( JLR) in Karnataka is among the best as its a quasi-government establishment,they have some wonderful properties in Karnataka. Some of the Fodorites here have experienced them.I think Cali is one of them.
Apr 30th, 2018, 02:01 AM
#40
Thanks Inquest - most of the "tours" of Northern India include some time at Ranthambore so the impression I had is of a very busy place which is of course inimicable to wild-life watching. At Yala we had to instruct our driver and guide not to follow the herd but to spend time looking for birds away from all the other vehicles which they found quite a difficult concept until we told them not to chase after something they had heard about on the radio but stick to our plan. Then we got on a lot better until the end when someone said something about a leopard and all the vehicles converged on one area by which time any self-respecting leopard would have been long gone.
