Ankit Gita Photography

18/02/2024

Pride boys of Mara!

16/09/2023

15/09/2023

King...

10/09/2023

Africa so far...

I have been to three countries of the mighty African continent, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia... each one is unique from geography, variety and species pov! This is just the tip of the needle, much more is yet to be seen!!

So far, 12 African parks, 4 Giraffe species, 3 Zebra species, 2 rhino species 3 rivers, 4 cat species and uncounted herbivores species from the tiniest Dik Dik to the big Eland! The wishlist is big and life is small!!

19/07/2023

Maasai Ostrich!!
Lighthouse of Savannah!

19/10/2021

Matkasur has been an iconic tiger of both core and buffer zones of the park. He has glorious past and now in his late life surviving with the learnings of his exceptional years spent with pride. Guides say that he is cornered in the periphery of the park by young males and roams in buffer area, survives solely on cattle kills at times and gather strength to overpower other males. He is fathering two cubs of a tigress called Sharmily. He should be more that 12 years by now.

Ths Epic Battle!
In the March of 2018 Tadoba witnessed the epic battle between a tiger and sloth bear. The entire world probably is still in awe when they watch the bear match the tiger -for once Matkasur had to concede defeat. No wonder experts speak highly about a bear’s fur and claws as Matkasur was forced to leave the bear alone! He may have defeated powerful male tigers but here he had to surrender to the will power of a mother protecting her young.

Killing of Forest Guard!
In May of 2017 Matkasur killed a person who was on census duty and had squatted behind a bush to relieve himself. Speculations ran high whether Matkasur would be branded a man-eater or not. As per government guidelines, there has to be three killings before a tiger is labelled a man-eater. Matkasur was given the benefit of doubt- also he did not eat the body. Some experts feel when humans squat, tigers often get confused and accidentally kills thinking them to be monkeys or deer both of whom are regular prey. Most of the time it is a case of mistaken identity.

05/09/2020

Chinkaras of shrubland...

02/09/2020

AZRA_GODDESS OF THE SHADOWS (Greek)

Azra has large black wings (made of the elusive ink bird's feathers, which allow her to blend into her surroundings), a staff that assists her shadow-stealing and a long flowing black dress that helps her blend into the shadows. As all Greek gods and goddesses have their strong powers/elements, Azra has shadows. She gains strength from shadows, and takes them away from chosen ones. She holds her powers within the royal blue stone placed tightly on the top of her staff. The stone is wrapped with delicate tendrils. She dwells in shadows and dark, abandoned places because she feels protected by the ominous secrets it holds. If you are walking down a dark alley, you may hear the flapping of her wings and a gust of air but will never see her because she feeds off shadows and blends in immensely.

Her powers consist of shadow stealing and camouflage. The shadows she equips helps her become stronger and more powerful. Her camouflage is handy when she goes on shadow sprees, because her camouflage helps her not be seen as she pilfers victims shadows...

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher_Somewhere in Tamhini ghats...

25/07/2020

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher - Take life to get life

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is monsoon migrant to Western ghats and seen up to Vansada NP. Picture depicts the stark contrast of life... An amazingly beautiful and innocent looking creature taking life to feed self and cheeks or to survive. The paws of the skink, the language of destiny and almost Buddha like unperturbed attitude...



Nikon D850, Sigma 500mm F/4 Sport + 1.4X TC

17/07/2020

Cheetah Family_ A cautious mother on an observation post, Probably a once in a lifetime moment I could witness :)

While raising a family on her own, the mother cheetah is tireless, fearless and cunning. She waits till the hottest part of the day when other predators are snoozing in the shade, to transport her youngsters one at a time from den to den. Every two or three days she will find a new hiding spot. When the cubs reach about 3 months they are finally old enough to travel with her. At 4 months they will start to stalk and hunt and will be taking down prey successfully by 10 months.

In an interesting twist, it is the mother cheetah who leaves her cubs at about 18 months. They will remain in a sibling group for another year or so, and then the female siblings will branch off on their own. Males will sometimes live alone, but usually they stay together in groups of 2 to 6 probably related individuals called a "coalition"!

02/05/2020

Looking back at those days...

Ever-Cautious mother Cheetah!!
When I look back, I think we had far much better days... This is lockdown, time to look back and reflect!!