On that Rainy Day

a Mothers Love for her Calf was evident

Hi All,

It is Sunday and InFocus arrives a day late this time. Why? How? many reasons but I guess the key is which subject, what story, and that kind of delayed this InFocus.

Don has a few more stories but my thoughts went back to that Rainy Day in May 2022 at Kabini. The visit was gorgeous so far as a new tiger straight at us and Magge Rani tigress on the bund also a Tusker across the channel, and a leopard with a kill which he had taken up on the tree, we could not have asked for more. But such is the action in the wilds of India that there is a surprise in store at every turn and corner, & so it was on that afternoon safari.

We just saw this gorgeous peacock in rainy weather fly down the tree bark.

Droplets of rain turned to sheets of rain and the forest had that gorgeous look about it as we pulled the roof above us to shield us from the rain. Kabini has this excellent weaving safari track and every now and then we come to a junction where one has to make calls, straight - right or left ?

That call we did not have to make as we saw to our left this mini herd of elephants.

Two mothers and a calf.

Tall trees, an unwinding track that was wet & slippery the forest in shades of green because of pre-monsoon showers, and these huge elephants with a baby. We stopped and the elephants noticed us. Disturbed and enraged one of the female elephants sent out clear signals. Stay off.

We obviously stayed far and halted our progress. Emboldened the elephant ahead took the attention off us and decided to cross the track. Dutifully the calf behind turned and tried catching up with her mother as the other female elephant controlled the rear. “Mothers” never forget their duties towards their families and kids, do they?

The elephant ahead though was still cagey knowing the slippery ground and our presence and she kept us in her gaze as she stepped forward. The calf was tentative and she turned back to the mother elephant, for support and encouragement.

The mother elephant behind was enjoying the weather, and the rain and was having a mud bath too, with its trunk up, It was some sight.

The ground was slippery and the calf was too small, still, in its early phase of learning, there was a trench on the left of the track, camouflaged by the grass and weed on the ground. The calf tripped and fell down. Oops.

The mother behind noticed it instinctively and tried to use its trunk to push/pull the calf out. There was tension in the air, suddenly. The elephant ahead was completely unaware of the development behind her.

The mother pushed, to no avail. Knowing the dangers of the forest (not just us but predators like tigers and leopards around), she tried signaling the other elephant.

This (below) is one of my favorite shots as you can admire and appreciate the beauty of the Kabini forest and its unique driveways the tall teak trees and elephants along with Corbett one of the most gorgeous habitats of the Asiatic elephant.

The elephant ahead retreats, the mother behind pushes hard, the calf leg goes up, there is movement and finally, the mother is able to get the calf up and erect. Phew … I said.

Mission accomplished, it was time to move on.

With the calf firmly between them they cross the track. Constant drizzle and the gorgeous Kabini scape with the family crossing the track, made for a wonderful sight. Towards the right , you would notice the ground rose. But before that was a dip again and the mother behind cautioned the calf to take note. Ready to support in case it fell again.

As they crossed the mother was happy to see the calf manage the crossing and she saluted and blessed it, by raising the trunk.

The story does not end here.

It was what happened next, though not pictured, have a video but that’s not good to share.

We were on the safari with a new driver at the wheel as our regular driver was on leave. We were not the sole occupants as there were 6 other occupants, potentially not regular wildlife enthusiasts who were keen to videograph the elephant family from close. All this while as we pictured the elephants from far they stayed quiet. Their request to drive closer as the elephants had crossed the track was met in positive by our driver. Anita and I protested and advised against it.

The golden rule of the jungle is not to distract, agitate and threaten any species. You respect and provide space to wildlife.

Elephants are most dangerous when there is a calf around as well as when there is a lone tusker.

That Rainy Day, the mother elephant was already stressed by the calf’s inability to maneuver the trench, added to that our presence and of course the threat of a predator. As our safari vehicle turned left and made it just a few feet ahead, the mother who was pretty far off then, suddenly turned around, trunk up, trumpeting loudly, she came charging at us. We just saw her size above and added to that the elevation she had on the right with the ground almost at our roo level, the sight of her charging at us and her loud trumpeting, and the speed at which she charged was some experience. We barked quick instructions to the driver to stop and reverse and potentially send signals to her that we meant no harm.

It worked wonders and she stopped close to the high ground above us, trunk flailing until she was convinced we posed no threat. She turned around and headed into the woods.

What did we do?

We turned around too and wisely did not take that track.

Lessons learned, we advised our car occupants about not pressuring the driver as well as advised the driver to not pose any threat to the wildlife in the future.

To our car occupants’ delight, as we came close to a watering hole, we saw this handsome tusker climb the bund . hard to fit in the frame, I did my best. He stayed there only for a few fleeting seconds. He too had had a mud bath.

Down the bund, I made a few images of him.

He was accommodative as we stayed at arm’s length from him.

That Rainy Day will stay in my memory forever for the Mothers love and duty towards her family and little one and how from a loving - caring mother she turned to a fierce warrior in an instant.

Hope you enjoyed this episode of InFocus and as always, if not for anything, visit the wild at least for lungfuls of Oxygen.

Do comment and share.

InFocus is always indebted to you all for your support.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Gears used: Camera: Nikon D 750, Lens: 400 prime f 2.8

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