Reptiles & Other Wildlife: Encounters in the Wild
Beyond the big cats, India’s forests hold a secret world of fascinating creatures. Join me as I document the quiet lives of reptiles and elusive mammals through my lens.
A Sloth Bear stands in the lush green grass during the monsoon in Ranthambore. These bears have an aggressive reputation as they evolved alongside tigers.
A smiling Mugger Crocodile basking on the banks of the Chambal River. These reptiles are a vulnerable species.
Two Nilgai (Blue Bull) males fighting for dominance during the mating season in Tal Chappar, Rajasthan.
A Desert Fox, or White-footed Fox, resting in the shade of a bush during a hot day in Rajasthan.
A Golden Jackal resting on a bed of dry leaves in the low light of dusk at Corbett Tiger Reserve.
A Sloth Bear walking away on a dusty track, its shaggy black fur covered in dust.
A close-up portrait of a Sambar Deer with mud and grass on its antlers and fur.
A Hog Deer peeking through the tall grasses, a shy and elusive resident of the Terai region.
An Oriental Garden Lizard, or Indian Garden Lizard, in its red breeding colors, peeking over a charred log.
A Rhesus Macaque monkey sitting alone by a water source in Rajaji National Park.
About Reptiles & Other Wildlife
Tracking these species requires a completely different mindset than birding or tiger safaris. Whether I am waiting for a Mugger Crocodile to smile on the banks of the Chambal or tracking a Sloth Bear through the monsoon greens of Ranthambore, I focus on capturing behavior that often goes unnoticed. It is about patience, understanding the terrain, and knowing exactly when to adjust my shutter speed for those quick, erratic movements.
While the allure of the tiger often dominates safari discussions, the true rhythm of the jungle is set by its lesser-known residents. This gallery is a collection of those moments where I slowed down to appreciate the biodiversity that makes Indian forests unique.
The Art of the Reptile
From the ancient-looking Mugger Crocodiles basking in the Chambal River to the Oriental Garden Lizards displaying their breeding colors in Bhondsi, reptiles offer some of the most rewarding patterns for a photographer. When shooting these cold-blooded subjects, I prioritize getting at eye level. It changes the perspective from a casual observation to a portrait that reveals their texture and prehistoric majesty.
Mammals Beyond the Stripes
My work also extends to the shy and elusive mammals that are often overlooked. Photographing a Desert Fox in the arid scrubs of Rajasthan or a Golden Jackal at dusk in Corbett requires deep knowledge of their habits. The Sloth Bear, for instance, is a fascinating subject. Capturing them during the monsoon—when their shaggy coats are wet and they are actively foraging—is a highlight of my work in Ranthambore. I use my Nikon D500 with a 200-500mm lens to ensure I can maintain a respectful distance while keeping the details sharp.
Why Biodiversity Matters
Every image here is a testament to the fact that a healthy forest needs more than just apex predators. By documenting Nilgai fighting for dominance in Tal Chappar or the quiet gaze of a Hog Deer in the Terai region, I hope to spark interest in these species. If you want to learn how to track, anticipate, and photograph these unique animals, my guided expeditions focus specifically on understanding habitat and animal behavior, not just rushing from one sighting to the next.
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