PHOTOS
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A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM
This is a culmination of wildest imaginations possibly coming true for me. A female leopard, lying on one of the strongest barks, rubbing her spotted fur coat against spasmodic surface and yet it seems all the more surreal. This is what I truly love capturing about moments - moments that make you dream about it all over again.
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THAT KID IN ME
As we progress in our lives, we constantly see ourselves wearing an adult hat, often trying to take bigger roles and responsibilities in life. But no matter how hard we try we cannot fend off the hidden kid within us. This shot of an adult elephant playing with dust reminds me of all the joys we had while we were kids. It brings whiff of bliss of fun and almost reminisces us of those carefree, non-judgment phase of our childhood days.
THE MAASAI DANCE
East Africa is incomplete without existence of Maasai tribe. Maasai tribe originally inhabited Egypt in the North Africa, migrating south along the Nile Valley and arriving in Northern Kenya in the middle of the 15th century. They continued southward, conquering all of the tribes in their path, extending through the Rift Valley and arriving in Tanzania at the end of 19th century. To be a Maasai is to be born into one of the world's last great warrior cultures. From boyhood to adulthood, young Maasai boys begin to learn the responsibilities of being a man (helder) and a warrior. The role of a warrior is to protect their animals from human and animal predators, to build kraals (Maasai homes) and to provide security to their families.
TOGETHER WE STAND TALL
During my recent visit to Tanzania, I had a great opportunity to meet one of the true inhabitants of Maasai region.I greeted them with ‘Jambo’ and they greeted me back with Maasai dance. I joined them with enthusiasm but had my eyes still fixated on vibrant colors. Red denotes strength while Orange denotes hospitality; Green denotes the need to protect territory while Blue denotes sky. This isn’t merely a fashion statement but more a representation of the Maasai community as a whole.
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THE DESERT RAMBLE
Situated in the southeast of Morocco, Erg chebbi has a special place in my heart. Berber community and Nomads have long established harmony, resulting into a cultural diversity in the region. I had an amazing opportunity to meet a young berber named Ahmed, in his late 20's to show me around Sahara dunes. Along the journey to my camp, I noticed another berber man crossing paths. He introduced him as his friend, Hamid who later accompanied us along our journey to the camp. Together, we sang songs in broken Hindi and Urdu and even went on to share a camaraderie of laughter. By the time I got to the camp, I was more of a reveller than a traveller.
HER NAME IS TOUDA
I was very fortunate to be able to meet Nomad family based outside of Merzouga village, Morocco.
As the tradition goes with Berber family, wives normally do not sit with strangers, with exception to kids. I introduced myself to kids and each one of them told me their names in broken arabic language.As I looked around, I came across Touda who was extremely shy and was absorbed in her own thoughts. The gaze in her eyes seemed like a long road lies ahead of her. Ironically, her name means "Lead to" in Arabic.EYESGAZESTRIKINGFEATURESGIRLPORTRAITMERZOUGAMOROCCOBERBERTRIBEVILLAGEPEOPLE
CANDID ME
After taking a brief hiatus from travelling from Northern to Central Serengeti, hardly did I know that 30 min. stop will turn into a fun break. I was chasing super starlings and that kid in me led to follow each of them for a close up. Just few metres away from where I was sitting, I saw a superb starling perched atop a tree. After few shots, I got a candid shot of superb starling that I was really after. The half closed hooded eyelid seemed like this starling was nicitating at me.
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LEGENDS OF AFRICA
PAINT ME ALL OVER
During my recent trip to Morocco, I had stopped over in Khenitra and was drawn to this picturesque moment. What fascinated me the most is how the owner has painted vivid colors all over the rickshaw. From what I know back in India is, 'the prettier your rickshaw is, the faster you get your passengers.' It seems that the driver is in luck and shall bring fortune in his life.
SPOT A DIFFERENCE
Of four species, coat patterns found on the exterior of giraffes, serve as a form of camouflage, helping young giraffes blend with the patterns of light and shadow that their preferred savannah woodlands cast along the ground beneath the trees. For adults, patterns will be distinct enough to recognise each other.
Even from a distance of more than 200m, the mosaic look alike patterns are quite distinct. All of which makes the prospect of “spotting” giraffes on safari much more exciting, eh?
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
Long red oat grasses come to the aid of two lionesses who were lazying in the afternoon. Within 15 minutes upon our arrival, one of the lionesses hid in the grass as she sensed a heard of zebras crossing across the plains. Another lioness chose a different path to block the escape. It was a great opportunity for lionesses to make a kill and indeed, witness a live hunt. However, within few minutes, the chase was called off due to lack of co-ordination and returned back empty handed.
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MONTICLE OF FORTUNES
Serengeti means endless plain and with endless plain comes endless wait for one glimpse of Cheetah. Many of us think it shouldn't be that difficult but plummeting numbers of cheetahs make it extremely difficult to spot. This is an old cheetah who has suffered many injuries on its body due to constant fight with lions, leopards and hyenas. This mound is currently the only comforting thing for Cheetah. The constant fight for survival still goes a long way for Cheetah.
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THE ATLAS
Unravelled true beauty of Atlas mountain range during sunset, moments before Iftar during auspicious period of Ramadan. It was around 7PM, when I witnessed crimson sun casting upon pink and red hues on the Atlas mountain range. The magnificent mountain dazzled under dark grey clouds, making one of the most memorable moments in Morocco.
GLOWING BASKET
Waking up early in the morning at around 5:15 AM by perilous Mara River does not seem to be one of my routines. However, waking up with an excitement to catch golden ball was already marking a good start to my morning adventure. As I cross 2-3 camps along my way, I hear an overlapping hippo grunts and male lion roar not far from the campsite. It is otherworldly when all of a sudden you realise that you are far away from hustling New York city. A minute later, I step outside of the campsite and catch a glimpse of this beautiful golden ball rising behind carefully woven intricate thorns. It almost gives me an illusion of a 'Glowing Basket'.
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IT"S BETWEEN YOU AND ME
SUCKLE ONTO
Cow elephants and calves are more of a common sighting to behold in the Savannah grasslands of Africa. What makes them even more special is the birthing of a calf and undying bond for life. The gestation period of a Mother elephant is around 650 days (22 months approx). The birthing of a calf is quite precious considering how long it takes for a Mother to give birth to a calf. During birthing, both Mothers and calves are precarious and are highly susceptible to unexpected illness. If all goes well, the female calves enjoy a life long support from Mother, Aunts and cousins. Juvenile males would eventually be driven out and are forced to either join or lead another herd. Elephants are extremely social and highly intelligent animals. During dry season, the Matriarch has been known to lead the entire herd to hidden water wells and waterholes. This remarkable ability to find water helps elephants to survive in famines. There have been known evidences where elephants traveled for 100 plus miles in hunt of a waterhole.
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CUTENESS OVERLOADED
I was walking through one of the 9600 streets of Fes where I stumbled upon two kittens sleeping by each other's arm. It was the dawn of Ramadan, where people are out on streets greeting each other. Amid all chaos around them, kittens left no stone unturned to ensure that they find their comfort in middle of busy streets of Fes. Fes's streets are like a game of labyrinth, where narrow lanes pass through everyone's house and is indeed astonishing to see how cats and people live together.
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QUENCHING THIRST
While visiting Tanzania, I had an opportunity to witness great diversity in both wildlife and landscapes. As I headed towards one of the watering holes in Ngorongoro crater, I saw herds of wildebeests and zebras heading towards the watering hole. In midst of barren plains and scorching sun, these animals travelled from hundreds of miles to quench their thirst. I could literally see wildebeests dusting off their large hooves in dry heat to mark a victory of their journey towards watering hole.
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MIRRORS OF NATURE
The very existence of our means of daily life lies in nature. Imagine, how our ancestors lived without mirror. They used reflection in ponds, freshwater lakes, and shallow wells to mirror themselves. The early morning light escaped through thick clouds to condition silent waters along shores of Orca Islands, Pacific Northwest, US.
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