Ranthambore

Above: On my first safari into Ranthambore, out of the reeds and wild grasses, walked a totally calm, cool tigers. He was huge, and just as disinterested in us as we were totally amazed by him.

Left: A young sambar feasting on greens amidst the dwindling blue waters of the lake.

Below: Within the park are ruins of forts, temples and so on. Just the sort of place for a hungry croc to hang out.

November 14, 2004 continued:
I then caught the train to Ranthambore national park. It was a wildlife sanctuary established by the rajputs of rajasthan for better hunting for the raja. Anyway, since the raj were in power up until the 60s the hunting grounds remained protected and it is one of the few places that tigers and deer run unhindered by villagers, their cows and their polluting ways. I stayed at this beautiful new eco-friendly hotel right next to the park owned by Doranne's friend. It is luxury and uses a gray water system to keep their xeriscaped gardens which include pesticide free veg gardens-- they don't get gray water. My room was this beautiful room with white marble floors and a giant bed with super soft sheets and a view of the rajasthani hillside. The best part... I was a guest!

Left: Tiger, looking for the easiest way to walk past the crazy people in the jeep that are blocking his path.

Right: Sometimes, you also have to appreciate the smaller animals... not just the Tigers.

Journal Continued:
In the morning, I got up very early and went in a jeep where I was seeing tons of deer, peacocks, crocs, and sambar... and I was worried that I wouldn't see a Tiger when out of the tall grass, one appeared. He looked at us in the jeep, vaguely intrigued by the new obstacle that was blocking the road, and then he walked around behind us. I got some good photos of that one I think. Once you see the Tiger, everyone relaxes a little and then you start to enjoy the rest of the drive a little more.

Left: Tiger in the brush.

Right: Adult Sambar, looking rather regal.

Below: A little bird in the branches against the blue sky.

Journal Continued:
In the afternoon, waiting for the second safari, I sat by the pool and chatted with the children of some german embassy people. The kids were very friendly. They surrounded me, and wanted to know everything about the US and life there. They spoke English as well as german. It is nice to meet kids that aren't terrified of strangers.

I also went to a local cooperative work place where they make goods and sell them and export them. The money goes to the women and for the first time, their children are able to go to school the women have money to pay for health prevention... a major success story. It was nice to see such a positive example of good deeds.

Journal Continued:
In the afternoon, I went out on my safari with the assumption that I wouldn't see a tiger... they can be quite elusive. Some people went out several times and never saw one. I did see one though... in fact, I saw four walking along the road. They eventually tired of the jeeps following along behind and went into the bush. About ten minutes later, just inside of the brush I heard what sounded like an attack and a crying deer or something. I think that I heard the hunt- a successful one at that.

On that trip, I didn't get a good photo. We were a couple of trucks back.. so most of my photos have just the tail or the head and about fifty bodies of people trying to get good photos.

Above: A croc just sitting in the sun.

Right: Deer and Monkeys, out for a morning stroll.

Left: A baby sambar where is the mother?

Below: A monkey, hanging out. He doesn't seem to be bothered by the horde of clicking cameras.

Journal Continued:
That is ok, if I had been faster, I could have gotten a good shot since they were right in front of me briefly, but my manual camera isn't the best at things like that. I have to zoom and focus and check the light meter and focus again... and then the tiger has walked out of the frame. Anyway, after such a succesful day, I was happy.

The next morning I hiked up to another abandoned fort. The fort of the raja that overlooked the park. It had become a monkey city with langors everywhere running around and sitting on the fort walls enjoying a fine view. I guess the life of a monkey isn't so bad. They seem to enjoy themselves.

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