Hi all,
The Time has come and InFocus is back again this weekend (albeit a day late).
Apna Time Aayega (famous Bolloywood number from the Hindi movie, Gully Boy a bit of the background for all my International InFocus readers).
Have been travelling and was a bit unsure of whether I would be able to make it with InFocus or even what should it focus on , this time. Made a mistake,in an earnest desire to travel light, which I almost invariably do, did not carry my hard drive which has all my pictures on it, so the days miss.
The travel though gave me time to reflect on what next in, InFocus. Options galore kings, queens, empress, clans etc etc. Lots to choose from my travels to the jungle. But one thing stuck and I felt I must try bringing this up InFocus and that was “Apna Time Aayega” (My Time would Come). The future belongs to ?? Right, you guessed it right … the smart, the fearless, the innovative, the ambitious, the dreamy yet willing to work hard the GenNext.
Once clear, I let my brain run through multiple experiences of mine and froze on this one. Of the sub adult cub at the cusp of greatness. Ranthambhore it was and am sure it would soon be full of stories of this prince and his exploits. We saw him for a short very short time unlike many other experiences , but Quality is Better than Quantity. It always is and am sure all readers of InFocus would admit, post this post (ha ha).
Saw him twice. On a hot afternoon , with temperatures north of 40 degrees (45 degrees centigarde it was that day) I saw him behind this huge tree trunk. He looked cool as he peered from behind the trunk. Barely caught him as he was well camouflaged and actually below the eye level (you generally are looking a little above this height to spot the tiger), so had he not peered that slight bit out would have missed him altogether.
A little closer look and I could feel the intensity in those eyes as he sized me up. That deep cold look in them could have sent a chill down anyone spine. I knew he was the King in Waiting.
He was T 101’s son. The unchallenged King of Ranthambhore, the most dominant tiger there at this moment (that’s right, things change fast in the wilds of India). The prince had picked up some habits from the old guy, who despite his dominance has some softer (do not get fooled) side too. Saw T 101, in a water hole , peeping outside as the first safari vehicles converged on this spot at the break of dawn as the first rays of sun, bathed and highlighted him as he raised his head to give a view to the hungry for tiger wildlife enthusiasts. Notice the similarities? The prince had taken off on the old guy and hence I felt he had a bright future ahead.
Prediction and anticipation on track. The next day we went searching for T 101. On our right was the hillock, much ahead a watering hole and there was anticipation that T 101 would walk the track that evening as he was sighted an hour back ahead in the jungle. In anticipation about a dozen safari vehicles had parked themselves all along and adjacent to the track. Up on my right on the hill I could see 2 nah 3 cubs. They were fairly up and the dry forest and dry leaves that had fallen and a rocky hill terrain had provided enough camouflage to the cubs. It was hard to make a good shot. Also the backdrop was fairly average.
So we waited patiently, minutes ticked by and an hour too as we neared the 2 hour mark a movement on the hill was noticed. Safari vehicles moved. Sometimes desultorily to just please the vehicle occupants and build excitement. Then another and the 3rd cub also got up. It was all happening and happening fast. The safari track got packed as everyone tried to outdo each other and were anticipating where would the cubs go and where should they hence be. That is one of the best as well as most frustrating part of a safari. The thrill of anticipation and the frustration of someone not being a photographer and not understanding animal behaviour and in an attempt to please the vehicle occupants making wrong choice, robbing everyone of a gorgeous moment as the tiger or any other cat disapproves of the aggressive advances and stops or changes track. That’s the life in the Indian jungle. Sad.
Within that tight space we pulled ourselves to a spot. We were focussed on the Prince and not his 2 siblings. It helps to stay focussed. Down walked the prince and in a dip of the safari track, paused & paused momentarily. We were to his left at a higher point on the track and standing up in the jeep, I made this image at the most appropriate point. He looked purposeful and was growing into a fine tiger , I thought. He was sharp and agile (despite the heat), also confident. Observe his fur and the dusty track, imagine parched tree leaves also in yellow around and then you realise how a tiger merges in the background in summers. In winters it is different. The cold means the fur gets thicker and denser and also orangish and the background is green. Easy to spot the tiger then? Nah … it never is easy as the thick undergrowth covers it up and the need for water is less so frequent visits to the watering hole do not happen. Different in summers though. But the winter pictures hence, are at a premium because of the orange fur and green backdrop. We are though in summer and incidence of tiger sighting is the highest (one has to brave the heat for that).
The prince moved ahead. Turned right and climbed the track. Scramble as the vehicles adjusted for the road journey. T 101 was forgotten. His progeny was the centre of attraction now and why not. He looked commanding.
As he walked up the track, we saw the mound ahead. Our driver guided by Sachin Rai decided to go to the lower position of the track (which was where the cub was as above). Anticipation, position and hoping that nobody spoils our party. Standing into the jeep, I peered from behind the view finder (imagine all this is happening within seconds and you have to act, respond and be prepared). There is no “retake” no “2nd shot” in the wild. The prince climbed up. It was the highest spot on the track. We were behind it. He higher than us. He was the King in Making / Waiting. The backdrop had a tinge of green as the tree cover on the track was still holding on to its green and the Prince surveyed the land ahead.
As far as the Eye could see, he knew would be his, soon. He took it all in , in that gaze. He made a gorgeous sight. How confident he looked, how commanding he was. A dozen jeeps around and he stayed cool and ignored all us mortals (observe the back of his ears.
Apna Time Aayega …. My time would Come … am sure with these thoughts he surveyed his future kingdom.
InFocus of the Golden Girl it was where I had introduced you to the back of the ears look like eyes to fool any attacker from behind and tricking them into believing that the tiger is looking at the attacker). On this note, I must share with my readers that the “Golden Girl” of Bandhavgarh is no more, Spotty the Golden Girl breathed her last about 2 weeks back.
As I made this picture, I silently prayed for prince to turn. Turn he did & what a pic he made. Hope you love it as much as I do ? A heady combo of youth, innocence & ferociousness, he presented.
Can you see the high point where he was? and the vantage point he provided for me and the occupants of our vehicles. It is hard to get a shot as this in the jungle. I lapped it up.
He filled up my frame. So close were we to him. I was thankful I had the New Nikon Z9 Mirrorless on me and the new Nikon 400 prime f 2.8 lens designed for the mirrorless camera (super light lens). It helped me make these terrific pictures.
The prince’s time would come soon. He had T 101’s blood in his veins and was growing into a fine adult. A season down, he would get into creating his own space. Brothers and father would hold no special place in his life then. A tiger is a solitary predator. The Smart & Mighty rules. Apna Time Aayega (My time would Come).
As the safari vehicles contested for pace and one upmaship, the prince had already expressed and assessed his position. Time up, he moved ahead and back up the hill.
Hope you enjoyed this special episode of InFocus, first time we covered a potential King.
The time is of GenNext and they need to be given space to express and create new milestones. Old have to give way to the New. That’s the rule of life. Old have to hand over the batten but also pass on their knowledge and train the GenNext. Most importantly have faith and an ability to ‘let go’.
So friends, do let go, do embrace change, be the change leader and ensure that the future is in good hands.
Have a great weekend. Do comment, share and subscribe InFocus because “Apna Time Aayega”.
Ciao.
Well What can i say!! Your description and the Tiger captured through your lens says it all. Word after word beseech me to visit the wild! Excellent is still an understatement. Superb photos and as they say memories remain!!
The first two pictures make the cover page/poster for this story ! the gleaming intense eye, peeping from behind the bark ,"The eye of the tiger”
The cub exudes, power, authority and aggression as it stands tall and poses fearlessly ..true to the lyrics of the famous song “Rising up straight to the top, had the guts, got the glory…went the distance, now I'm not going to stop, Just a man and his will to survive..
It's the eye of the tiger,It's the thrill of the fight !
All so well captured and narrated.
Also, the color of the fur and the back drop in summers and winters.,.The back of the tiger’s ear…those are some amazing piece of information, as always bought up by Infocus !
Thanks for sharing.