Leopard country! Back with the Bang!

I still remember, it was little cloudy and also a bit chilly weather. We started for the afternoon drive, and the jungle was very pleasant and silent as well. We were driving for about 25 mins through the wooded patch. Although no alarm calls, but the birds were entertaining us with their beautiful calls! As we were just driving without any clue towards a busy water hole, our park guide literally screamed, LEOPARD!! We quickly reversed the vehicle, and there it was! Sitting about 200 feet away from the vehicle inside the wooded patch. we observed it's movements for 10 mins, and meanwhile another few vehicles gathered around us. And now everyone was trying to get it's glimpses, but unfortunately handful of people saw it. After spending few mins there, I decided to carry on and check the nearby waterhole. As we were approaching, I saw our Naturalist Dipu coming from opposite direction, and the guest in his vehicle were pointing out something. We quickly rushed there & what a surprise!!! The leopard was there drinking water!! What an enchanting sighting it was! We saw it for another 10 mins and headed back. I still wander, how this elusive cat just escaped from in-front of our eyes!

Posted: Baghvan by Kaustubh Thomare, Date: 23 October 2009