On a recent trip to India to photograph Royal Bengal Tigers, we had a unique experience that I would like to share.

We were traveling around Bandhavgarh National Park looking for tigers to photograph.  Luckily for me, our driver was also a photographer.  We had been having problems with some of the drivers positioning the truck for a good photo.  But not Hersch.

As we were driving around (you stay on the dirt roads in the park)  Hersch stopped the vehicle.  He said "See that faint furrow across the road and into the bush?  That is where a tiger dragged a kill into the bushes.  And I know she is still there because the crows are up in those trees over there.  If she was gone they would be eating the prey."

Note:  I highlighted the path.

7R501023

Then, in a moment I will never forget as a wildlife photographer he said "She will finish eating and then I believe she will emerge from the bush over there.  We will reposition the truck so she will walk right past us on her way to the pond.  After they eat, they go to water to drink and cool off.  She will spend some time there and then move on."

And, she did!

First, emerging from the bush:

A1A07574-Edit

Then, my favorite photo:

A1A07587-Edit-2

Time in the water:

A1A07675-Edit-2 A1A07638-Edit

And another favorite - the Leap

A1B08849-Edit-2 A1B08850-Edit