Tiger Family

Gallery: WildlifePosted September 22, 2010221 views9 comments

Summer in Central India begins in mid-March. By early May, when this photo was taken, it was hot and dry, with temperatures reaching 110-120 F. Having made a sambar (deer) kill the day before in a shaded part of her territory with abundant water, the Bengal tigress and her year-old cubs had no need to go anywhere else. They remained near the kill for three days. On the second day, the young male from her previous litter came through the territory to share the meal. He greeted the tigress and cubs, ate from the carcass then rested close by but away from the family. No aggression or conflict.

D300, 70-200VR, ISO 800, f/3.3, 1/30, hand held. 80% FF.

C & C appreciated.

Butch

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ron Richins on September 22, 2010 at 1:49 PM

The clarity is great. Also, great job on capturing the tongue action (that sounds kinky). I like how they blend in with the foliage. Too bad there isn't more of the fallen leaves in the LRC. Herding cats is difficult; herding these types of cats is impossible.

Registered on March 6, 2008, 113 Posts, 1009 Comments

Comment posted by Anand Narayanan on September 22, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Thanks for this glimpse into big cat society. Always nice to see a bunch of stripes. Especially one that has three generations in it.

Registered on October 25, 2009, 110 Posts, 835 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on September 22, 2010 at 5:20 PM

Wonderful interaction. Thanks for sharing this beauty Butch.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on September 23, 2010 at 9:43 AM

Hi Butch,

A wonderful spectacle to observe...and photograph! The clarity looks good and I agree with Ron that it's good how the cats blend in with the leaves (and that it's a shame the leaves don't continue into the lower right corner. But overall this is a very pleasing and interesting shot...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this (and the info about the 3-generation interaction)

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on September 23, 2010 at 6:57 PM

This had to be a special moment. Congratulations for making good with a find image capture.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 23, 2010 at 9:24 PM

Very interesting to see a tiger family, they are really amazing looking animals with their stirped fur. I like the look the tigers are giving, the cubs look curious while mom seems to be checking something else out. Wonderful shot and story, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 24, 2010 at 7:50 AM

Wonderful family shot & some behaviour too !
I'm not a fan of top view but it works very well here, as a result all the tigers are well placed in the frame!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on September 25, 2010 at 6:27 AM

good composition and details. it's a pity there are no leaves in the LRC.

cheers Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Burton on September 28, 2010 at 4:13 PM

Wonderful serene shot of a relaxed family.

Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments