March 26, 2026 - We were back in my favorite Dhikala Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve. The focus of this excursion was to observe and document elephants in the wild. In our last 3 trips in 2 months (Jan-Feb), we hadn’t spotted any. Elephants typically move across corridors and herds had moved south into the mainland Terai forests and further into Nepal.
Right at the onset of our afternoon safari, we spotted this tusker in the mood for love! He was in musth. Musth is a periodic condition experienced by male elephants characterised by a massive surge in testosterone (up to 60-100 times higher)! They become fiercely territorial, restless, and unpredictable, often attacking anything in their vicinity. Visible indicators of Musth include a high-odour fluid discharge from the temporal glands (on the sides of the head) - this hormone-rich liquid is called temporin. Experts strongly advise maintaining a very respectful and safe distance from any bull elephant showing signs of musth.
This tusker, however, did not charge at us and moved into the jungle. The pungent odor of his hormonal discharge of temporin was picked up much later in the safari by our driver Deepak and my chief tracker cum partner in crime – Rinchen. A couple of hours later, we spotted another male tusker (or so we thought). Rinchen quickly identified him as the same male who we had run into earlier (although the rest of us shrugged off her suggestion). But lo and behold it was the same giant roaming the grasslands…he still had the Rohini tree shrub that we had seen him tossing playfully with his trunk earlier in the day. Could this behavior be more than just play?
PS: Temporin can be spotted flowing from the giant’s glands between his eyes and ears in the last pic
#elephant #corbettnationalpark #sonyalpha #discovery
Corbett Tiger Reserve, Dhikala Zone. Legendary Tigeess Paarwali on the move in her dominion. Everything freezes, even the air!
#corbettnationalpark #sonyalpha #discovery #natgeoyourshot
Dhikala - Into the Light
Corbett Chronicle Series - The ethereal light of the Dhikala Zone and its majestic tiger habitat hypnotises you. Our ancestors walked and respected these jungles. When you enter these spaces, your genetic memory kicks in as you are once again reminded how deeply we’re all connected with these forests and its magnificent creatures!
#tiger #wildlife #sonyalphasclub #createwithsony
Looking for Layla
Location: Chillawali Range, Rajaji National Park
We entered from Mohand Gate. Lovely chilly crisp forest morning. Sun came and the light was out of this World. The jungle entered our breath, inhaling it made me come alive. Nothing quite like a winter morning Safari in India’s legendary National Parks and Reserves (so grateful to all those who had the vision to earmark and protect these for posterity).
Through the morning Safari and the through all the soul stirring calls, we kept looking for the legendary leopards of Rajaji. They remained in the shadows. In the evening, we were rewarded with a sighting. The silhouette of much loved Layla walking across the dry river bed - she’ s majestic and borne several litters. Our driver informs us that she’s ageing and been recovering from illness. A few yards ahead we spot Layla’s daughter perched on a tree. Her eyes hypnotising and her supple golden fur god-like. She watches us intently and as more Safari vehicles start to gather around her, she glides effortlessly across the tree, crosses over and dissolves into the forest. Her mother ambles across the river bed gingerly behind her. You sense the Wheel of Time (Kaalchakra) turning. A new generation is set to take over.
Encounters in the Wild reveal your forgotten selves!
@stripesandrosettes_ Thank you for reintroducing me to Rajaji
@im_arunprakash Thank you for incredible eye and knowledge. Learnt much from watching you shoot.
@rinchuy Thank you for being the ever inspiring partner through the wild and otherwise.
#wildlife #leopard #sonyalpha #createwithsony
Textures and Trees
Living Forests, Divinity at Play
Living, dead and dying trees of a healthy forest communicate, support and share knowledge with each other over thousands of years, the ultimate library of life. They build the divine stage where life happens - wild and wow!
Some clicks from Corbett’s Bijrani Zone and the Rajaji National Park’s Chilawali Range . Shot on Sony A7iii with 200-600mm
#forests #wild #sonyphotography #livingstories
The Leopard Kingdom - Rajaji National Park. Thrilling sighting of young adult Mogli on the prowl, stalking a deer - alert, focused, almost meditative! Thanks @justintowild for organising everything.
#rajajinationalpark #leopard #livingstories #wildlife
“All elaborate lies lose meaning once truth reveals itself through a small hole.”
Nithari - Truth, Lies and Murder streaming on Discovery Plus and HBO Max #nitharicase #warnerbrosdiscovery #discoveryplus
“All elaborate lies lose meaning once truth reveals itself through a small hole”
Nithari - Truth Lies & Murder
streamlng on Discovery Plus and HBO Max
#WarnerBrosDiscovery #nitharicase #discoveryplus #docuseries #HBOMax
