Summer time in the backwaters of Kabini - The amazing KAAV

[madaboutcheetah]

When we arrived at Tiger Tank - we saw this single Tusked Elephant have a drink ........

[madaboutcheetah]

Whilst we were viewing the Elephant at Tiger Tank ..... I do not know how, but, Eagle Eyed Ramu spotted a Tiger's tail in the bush ............

As soon as the Elephant left - we were treated to this young male who came out to have a drink ......... and then take us on a Cat Walk ......

[madaboutcheetah]

Well ..... here he is taking us on a walk in the most remarkable photographic opportunity! Well - lesson for me to go with the flow and not to obsess about one particular thing ......... All of this, having left a Tiger in the water ahead. Only 2 vehicles here as the others were still at Hoskere tank with the female....... Thank You, Ramu - I am speechless!!!

 

I think this guy is my absolute favourite Tiger and one to follow for years to come ..........

[madaboutcheetah]

He continued to take us on a walk until he disappeared into the bush ........

[madaboutcheetah]

We raced back to Hoskere tank - and who'd believe it! She was still there ......... This is a true sighting of how far Kabini has come along! Just two or three years prior, you'd see a flash in a pan of a Tiger!!!! Although, back then there were Leopards to be photographed in plenty........ I digress .....

[madaboutcheetah]

Until she decided it was time for her to put on a show!!!!

[madaboutcheetah]

Continued ............. She did put on quite a show!!!

 

We had friends in our vehicle who were already in Kabini for a couple of days prior and according to them - she was following the exact route a Male Leopard had taken earlier in the morning and marked the same trees too!

 

And then as time was running out for us to exit the park - she took a turn into the deep bush. What a game drive!!!! Phew!!!!

[madaboutcheetah]

Scattered T'storms through the night would mean we had a very quiet morning that followed ........... No cats at all after the rains...

[madaboutcheetah]

We are going through a severe drought here in Southern India at the moment that by the afternoon game drive things were happening again -

 

Here's Tiger Tank where all the evening action was to be with all 3 Sub-adults putting on a show at the Tank.

[madaboutcheetah]

Tiger Tank (Contd)

[jeremie]

Wow wow wow!!!! What is the relationship between these two last tigers?

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks @@jeremie ..... siblings I think ....

[Atravelynn]

2 nights -- this was 2 nights? It would be impressive for 2 weeks. You got "Blackie" too.

 

Very encouraging about the evolution of Kabini becoming a safe haven for so much wildlife with such great viewing experiences.

 

Thanks for sharing this!

[Kitsafari]

such great pictures of the male walking among the tree trunks - the backdrop made it so natural.

 

the backwater female has gorgeous shaded stripes on her left side going down to the belly - rather unusual.

 

2 tigers in a pond?! you are so spoiled Hari!

[SidSafari]

WOW! These are incredible moments captured perfectly!

 

The lighting and detail of the action is excellent. I always thought Kabini was more known for its leopards then tigers which makes your tiger series that much better!

 

I have read that to get jeep safari in Kabini you have to stay in the JLR resorts (official state resorts). Is that true?

 

Also please give us some indication of how the jeep safari's were handled. Do the resorts allow photographers to hire out the entire jeep like in Tadoba, Bandhavgarh, etc

so you have more room. Or is it 5-6 people to a jeep and it goes full?

 

Your captures makes me want to plan a trip sometime in October so any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Edited May 1, 2017 by SidSafari

[madaboutcheetah]

Thanks for all the kind comments - much appreciated!!!

@@SidSafari ........ Kabini WAS well known for their Leopards - but, with so many Tigers out and about ..... one needs more luck wrt Leopard sightings as they tend to hide a bit.

 

Unfortunately, there are no Gypsy safaris like they have at Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore etc etc., so no Private Safaris ...... On the plus side, there isn't the severe over-crowding that happens in those parks.

 

My best advice would be to pick Week Day visits and outside of Holiday Season to avoid the crowds ..........

[madaboutcheetah]

The BBC have a film crew out in Kabini for the next year ............. Can hardly wait to see what they come up with!

Thanks to them - we found "Blackie" ........ Here he is in his "habitat"

[madaboutcheetah]

Final Game Drive ........... Very quiet morning, until literally time to get out of the park that this Tiger comes out at Tiger Tank ........

 

 

[SidSafari]

Thanks for all the kind comments - much appreciated!!!

@@SidSafari ........ Kabini WAS well known for their Leopards - but, with so many Tigers out and about ..... one needs more luck wrt Leopard sightings as they tend to hide a bit.

 

Unfortunately, there are no Gypsy safaris like they have at Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore etc etc., so no Private Safaris ...... On the plus side, there isn't the severe over-crowding that happens in those parks.

 

My best advice would be to pick Week Day visits and outside of Holiday Season to avoid the crowds ..........

@@madaboutcheetah

 

So these were all taken from the cantor? Wow...that's even more impressive. Great job getting eye line shots sir!

 

Btw are you using a 600mm / extender to get these shots?

Edited May 1, 2017 by SidSafari

[madaboutcheetah]

@@SidSafari - no these are from the jeep not canter.

[madaboutcheetah]

I meant there are no private safaris like in Central India -

 

JLR has a mix of jeeps; boleros and Canters. I happened to luck out in the jeep mid week! And a lot of pleading

[SidSafari]

@@SidSafari - no these are from the jeep not canter.

I don't understand. So you can book jeep safari's? Do you have to stay at the govt resorts to go on jeep safari?

[SidSafari]

I meant there are no private safaris like in Central India -

 

JLR has a mix of jeeps; boleros and Canters. I happened to luck out in the jeep mid week! And a lot of pleading

Ahh, makes sense. So you basically have to stay at JLR resorts and then hope to get a seat in the jeep.

 

What kind of rush did you face during your stay? I'd hate to come all the way there and not be assured of a place. I've been on a cantor once and it was a nightmare from a photography point of view.

Edited May 1, 2017 by SidSafari

[madaboutcheetah]

@@SidSafari - if you stayed at JLR then you can push your way to riding on only the jeeps - but, you may still need to be adamant at check in.

 

I've never been on a canter and will refuse to get in one! UGh!!!!

[madaboutcheetah]

Another KAAV weekend ....... Many Thanks as always to the incredible KAAV team of PK, Vikas and their entire team of staff ...... Jagdeesh, Ramu, Sunil etc etc., Can't wait to go back - probably in a couple of months.....

 

Reality bites ....... Early pre-monsson showers meant that the viewing wouldn't be upto what it had been in recent weeks ...... Oh Well! Lovely weekend in any case - here are a few images in any case.

Edited May 21, 2017 by madaboutcheetah