06 May 2010

Sambar, Ranthambore NP, Rajasthan

The price of life is eternal vigilance

Sambar (Rusa unicolor) were common at Ranthambore. While they seemed relatively unafraid of the jeeps and canters (open trucks), they remained alert, those big ears swivelling almost incessantly, the nose constantly lifting to check the air. They have good reason — they're a favoured prey of the tigers for which Ranthambore is perhaps most famous.

[28 February 2007; Canon 20D, 300 mm f4 L, ISO 200, 1/400 at f4]

All content © 2010 Pete McGregor

2 comments:

  1. must have missed this pic, he/she is very camoflaged, love how the background is all out of focus but really wiry, tom

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  2. Cheers Tom — yes, the background could have been far too messy for a good picture, but the shallow depth of field saves it. I like to think it's typical of sambar in this habitat. It's a she, too — the males had antlers and a noticeably different build, particularly around the neck.

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