01 December 2010

The novelty of binoculars at Mt Abu


At Trevor's Tank, the reservoir in the wildlife reserve at Mt Abu in western Rajasthan, I offered the warden the chance to look around through my little binoculars. I prefocused them and showed him how to adjust them to fit his eyes. "Ohhh...!" he said, softly, as he gazed at the big muggers (crocodiles) hauled out on the rocks at the water's edge. It might have been one of the few occasions he'd looked through reasonably good binoculars.

[28 January 2007; Canon 20D, 24–105mm f4 L at 105 mm, ISO 200, 1/60 at f5.6]

All content © 2010 Pete McGregor

5 comments:

Relatively Retiring said...

Interesting that he has all that jewellery but no binoculars, which would seem to be an essential tool for a warden. I hope his companion also had a turn?

Zhoen said...

I love binoculars. Amazing technology. For a photo with no one's face clearly visible, this is utterly compelling. I want to ask him if I can look, next, when he's done...

pohanginapete said...

RR, I think the attitude to jewellery there differs substantially from ours. Much less a luxury or extravagance, much more part of the person. I speak largely from ignorance, however.
   The other man did indeed get a turn (he wasn't the only one, either).

Zhoen, binoculars and maps are wonderful ways to travel.
   Glad you find the photo compelling. :^)

leonie said...

Wow, what a wonderfully composed photograph and a fabulous story of a moment.

pohanginapete said...

Thanks Leonie :^)