Look around you

Continuing with my aim to get guest posts for you each quarter, I had requested Shreeram MV, an ace photographer, a good friend and one with whom I did my very first phototrip, to write.

He agreed and has written about such an important aspect of wildlife. The smaller beings.

Often in India, people bemoan the tiger tourism that overshadows genuine wildlife tourism. Shreeram points out that we need not go that far. He talks about all that rests under our noses, all around us... which we usually miss.

To check out more about Shreeram and his organization Darter Photography check out - https://www.shreeram.photography/index and www.darter.in

It had been a long drive to Lake Nakuru from Nairobi. Hopes were high as we had spotted a group of sleeping lions close to the camp. “They should get active by evening.”, said my inner voice optimistically. The mind was racing, as it always does on the first day of a tour. The walk to my room was long. The birds made it interesting and helped me alight from my trains of thought. As I came around a corner, a pair of eyes were transfixed on me. Perched on a rocky wall, the animal stared for a few seconds before disappearing into a bush. The next instant, another one appeared from a crevice below!

A young Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) peeks out from the lodge boundary to investigate

– Lake Nakuru

Rock Hyraxes. The size of a hare. Any guesses who their closest relatives are? That’s correct – the largest land animal indeed! The camera had rested enough.

We often associate wildlife only with the great open spaces, thick woods and vast wetlands. Expeditions and trips are often planned to these wildernesses. How often do we realize that our place of stay – resort, camp, guest house – is a haven for wildlife? For it was also part of the same landscape, possibly within living memory. Wildlife still calls it home, albeit in a modified way. 

Hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius) fight it out in the river by the dining area – Masai Mara

This Andaman Day Gecko (Phelsuma andamanensis) stood out against the yellow walls of the lodge – Little Andaman

Over the years, I’ve seen wondrous wildlife of all sorts around the resort. Some around my room! Birds of all hues, five-footer monitor lizards, hairy tarantulas, camouflaged pit vipers, tree frogs seeking hydration – the list is long. I’ll never forget the Honey Badger scuttling outside my porch in a rest camp in Kruger.  Or the Brown Wood Owl calling away outside my room in Goa. 

A Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) scavenges the carcass of a young yak in the backyard of the home stay

– Spiti Valley

A migratory Pallid Scops Owl (Otus brucei) returns to its winter home  – Little Rann of Kutch

Animals adapt in various ways to changing landscapes and increased human presence. Some move away (or sadly perish), seeking only ancient habitats. Some linger on, adapting to a new reality. There might also be some that will move into this new habitat from elsewhere because it suits them well!

A Wasp-mimic Jumping Spider (Rhene flavicomans) that I found crawling on my bed

– Kabini River Lodge

As a wildlife photographer, I see many advantages to this. It gives me an opportunity to discover and photograph a wider diversity of wildlife from the place. 

A young Collared Cat Snake on a night walk – River Tern Lodge, Bhadra

An Assassin Bug feeding on a tiny millipede – River Tern Lodge, Bhadra

It helps me work on a different skillset in wildlife photography. When you are on safaris where big mammals are your priority, your resort might give you opportunities to photograph birds, insects, spiders, reptiles or even landscapes. Each of this needs working with different lenses, as well as practicing a new field skill in how to approach them for photography.

Play of afternoon light on a Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) that resided next to my cottage

– Little Rann of Kutch

And, there is the catch. Different gear is often needed for different forms of wildlife. An insect or a frog might need a macro lens, with artificial lighting equipment. Birds might need longer lenses. Deciding on how much gear to carry on a tour is a big decision. Especially with airlines and their baggage restrictions.

A nymph of a planthopper, with its intricate patterns and streamers that give it a flower-like camouflage – Agumbe 

Sometimes, wildlife is only accessible within the resort, due to various reasons. Like the Western Ghats endemic wildlife that I came across in Wayanad. Due to protected areas, and to stay safe from elephants, most of the trails are restricted to the resort. The variety and sanctity of habitats within the resort makes it possible to see a great representation of wildlife from the region a few steps away from one’s room.

Malabar Gliding Frogs (Rhacophorus malabaricus) need stagnant pools of water to breed – Wayanad 

Ochlandra Shrub Frogs (Raorchestes ochlandrae) live in a microhabitat of the bamboo species Ochlandra setigera – Wayanad

A Malabar Vine Snake (Ahaetulla malabarica) stares back at me as I step outside my room – Wayanad  

A Rock Python (Python molorus) tries to hide itself amidst the leaf litter – Wayanad

So, the next time you travel, account for the wildlife that you might see around the resort. I guarantee that it will open up new perspectives about the place for you!