Named after an avid naturalist and tracker, Jim Corbett National Park is a paradise in the state of Northern Uttarakhand for wildlife enthusiasts. Homeland to Royal Bengal Tigers, gigantic Asiatic Elephants and an abundant species of birds, the forestlands provide immense sightings and photographic opportunities. Summers and winters are the right time to visit here to get a preview of a variety of fauna. We were glad to make a guided photography tour here.
Our plan included 3 nights in the dense forests of Dhikala which grants us myriad eco-systems like the grasslands, wooded forests, swamp, and riverine scenes. Each eco-system holds different species of wildlife to fulfill the souls of nature lovers with variety and diversity.
Our first day at Dhikala began with the evening safari, waiting for a tigress and her cubs to emerge from within the forests to a nearby water pool. As we thought that our luck was not favorable to sight the tigress, we noticed the cubs heading towards the pool. We started flashing our cameras as soon as our lady luck came in the form of a tigress and her cubs. Love is where life is, we secretly captured their candid moments of bonding with each other.
The grasslands of Dhikala are famous for Elephant sightings and our target on day 2 was to seize them in our cameras. As we geared up to witness the giant Asiatic Elephants, we heard the faint call of a Black Francolin. We navigated further to find the partridge and made fine images of the bird. We had an average Elephant sighting but we were delighted to find the pug marks of a tigress and her cubs merging into the forests.
We further explored other locations and on the high banks, we glanced through the entire Corbett forest range and flowing waters of River Ramganga. We noticed a huge herd of elephants drinking and playing in the river. We also spotted a Jungle cat with his prey in the mouth and scurrying towards the grass. Peeping through the lens our cameras, we found that the prey was a Ruddy-breasted crake!
On the third day, we heard a strong alarm call from a Sambar Deer. As we carefully tried to get into the direction of the call, we stumbled upon the pug marks of a Tigress and waited for her to approach the high banks. We had an outstanding sight of the Corbett Tigress near Ramganga River where she came to drink water and sat inside a puddle to cool herself down. We clicked many pictures as the Sun commenced to set behind her. An encounter with a massive tusker on the same day gave us a good night’s sleep.
Jim Corbett National Park sanctions proximity to the grandeur of wildlife where a photographer can capture and reminisce the time spent with animals and birds of the region. Photography connects us to the nuances of nature and makes us realize that we are all the same, resided and sheltered on Mother Earth!
Birdwing heads to Corbett National park every year in the month of Feb, May, and December. If you are interested, do get in touch with us.
