Up at 4 AM, into the park by 5:00. The cloudy, wet weather has persisted long beyond what is normal: a climatologist told us that this is the rainiest it’s been this time of year in a century. Today, an anemic sun barely broke through the haze and mist as we drove into the park. So we decided to go to check a trap we’d on a small island in the middle of a beel—a spot where otters sometimes pull out to eat a fish meal.

As we approached we saw that an animal had hit the trap—and had bent a ¾ inch bolt. When we checked the camera we found that a drooling water buffalo had come to investigate the alien box. So had an elephant, making good and unusual pictures. We repaired the damage, and headed off into the western part of the park where the largest animal groups sometimes congregate.

In the distance, we spotted a tiger laying in the road, and a herd of 15 elephants feeding upwind. After 20 minutes, the tiger rose, slinking towards the herd, and disappeared into the grass. The elephants drew into a tight circle around the young ones, trumpeting and stomping. The tiger returned to his resting spot briefly, then slipped back into a crouch, muscles tense, stalked back, and ran at them. The elephants held their ground, and the tiger gave up. End of excitement, but it was great to be in the right place at the right time. It can be frustrating shooting here, especially trying to document animal behavior other than feeding because you can’t be on foot, or wait in a blind—it’s too dangerous. My photos all have to come from camera traps, shot from the Jeep, or very occasionally—from elephant back. But we’ve identified the most promising areas, and circle through them day, after day—and sometimes our persistence pays off!

A tiger slinks through the grass near a herd of elephants.

Photograph by Steve Winter

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