With a simple black and white camera, we could get scintillating images of a tigress at Kanha National Park in the year 1972. What followed was a series of photo tours whence wildlife tourism had come of age in the late nineties. As a holidaymaker visiting tiger reserves for some exciting safaris and photoshoots I was in the dark about what was to come. My interest in birding had peaked in the interim period and my interest in the wilderness had become holistic.
Much before our family business closed, I had begun to freelance as a naturalist in resorts at Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench. With a primary interest in birds and mammals, the tourist found my services appealing. There were thus frequent calls.
It was during my association with Tigerland Resorts and later with Indiafootprints Adventures that I became fully involved and spent some of my best years traveling as naturalists with foreign groups focused mostly on bird watching and tiger safaris. I also conducted photo tours in Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
Although the focus on other tours was on bird watching and tiger safari photography was an essential element. The same applied to my five years plus a stint as a naturalist at Courtyard House Kanha National Park in Central India. In between exciting tiger safaris, my indulgence in Digital Marketing especially in SEO and Content Writing was being fortified. This involvement was since the days of Yahoo Geocities and one year of work as SEO Team Leader at Jeenec in Ahmedabad. I had since long started to provide SEO and Content Writing Services to many clients and my freelancing stint allowed this multi-indulgence.
During the tours with Indiafootprints Adventure, I visited North India which included New Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur, Chambal, Sat Tal, Pangot, and Corbett Tiger Reserve. Without a camera, I focused on guidance to enthusiastic overseas visitors on photography along with the search for avians and big cats. This was the learning and giving period, especially photography. I had realized how important a good camera was as a learning tool but due to the paucity of funds, it was not possible to buy a good one.
Chambal and Corbett Tiger Reserves were as I discovered the most photogenic destinations that carried weight for photo tours in India. Never disappointing in avian species with encounters with gharial, marsh crocodile and Ganges River Dolphins the trips to Chambal were most fruitful and exciting.
Corbett too never disappointed in avian species and there were some exciting animal encounters for the lensmen at work. Tigers are more elusive at Corbett but nevertheless, you end up photographing the big cats in panoramic surroundings.
Sat Tal and Pangot visits were entirely focused on avian species frequenting this Himalayan Region. Photography here is possible with fast and long lenses that the many enthusiasts in my group carried along. In those high-altitude cold climes with unstable light, the tours were immensely challenging. The professional birding guides from overseas carried some of the finest equipment for the photo tours and there were lessons to be learned.
Sometime later during freelancing at Courtyard House Kanha, I was able to procure a bride camera and another story begins. With an aim to purchase a sophisticated camera, there will be more exciting challenges in time to come. Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Preservers are in my view the most productive places for photographing tigers in India. The visit also accords the opportunity for capturing images of other mammals and reptiles.
Factfile Photo Tour Destinations
Bharatpur and Chambal are in close proximity to Agra near New Delhi. A visit to Corbett and Sat Tal, Pangot entails a long drive from New Delhi. Prior permits have to be obtained for tiger safaris in the reserves mentioned here. Excursions on foot are not allowed in the core. In winter cold and snow at higher reaches can be intense, especially at higher reaches. Hence carry warm clothing during winter visits.
Kanha and Bandhavgarh are at equidistance from Jabalpur Airport in Madhya Pradesh or Central India. They are accessible by road from Jabalpur. Permits have to be booked well in advance. Winters can be cold and summer heat intense so be prepared.
The best time to visit these destinations is from October to April before the heat takes over. For professional photographers summers with extended light and animal congregation taking place is the best if you can stand the hear.
Image Courtesy Margret Norah, Teerath Singh, Hari Lama...
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Uday is a blogger and offers Seo + Content For Digital Marketing Services.
He teaches digital marketing (SEO) in Jabalpur.
He freelances as a naturalist/birder at Kanha National Park. He loves to write about travel.
He can be contacted at:
pateluday90@hotmail.com
09755089323
