Kanha National Park is located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The park has become famous for its landscape and animals having been the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' (1894).
Dhole (Cuon alpinus) - Indian Wild Dog
Chital (Axis axis) crossing the road in the early morning mist.
Dhole (Cuon alpinus) - Indian Wild Dog
Herd of Chital (Axis axis)
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Peacock
Chital Stag (Axis axis)
Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
Our thanks go to our driver and naturalist, Shyam Yadav. His extensive knowledge of the park, wildlife expertise and excellent driving skills enabled us to get in the best position to photograph many amazing animals and birds. The following images are some of the species we encountered during four days in the reserve in March 2020.
Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).
We came across this big male tiger known as M1, around 6:30am. He was resting by the side of the road where he stayed for about 20 minutes. He was grooming himself and after yawning, he began to growl. WOW!! To be so close and to have the sound reverberating through your body was an amazing experience.
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Big male named M1
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Big male named M1
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Big male named M1
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Big male named M1
Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Big male named M1
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus) with the leg of a chital which has been torn from the carcass.
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Changeable Hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus)
Grey Langur or Hanuman Monkey (Semnopithecus)
Grey Langurs feeding on watercress, which is growing in the waterhole.
A female Langur with her youngster clinging to her underside, suddenly leaps out of the water.
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
A Peacock displays his glorious plumage to attract the attention of a Peahen.
Peacock (Pavo cristatus) displays his plumage to attract the attention of a Peahen.
Peacock (Pavo cristatus) displays his plumage to attract the attention of a Peahen.
Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus)
The amazingly colourful feather train of a Peacock.
Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis)
Shikra (Accipiter badius)
Shikra (Accipiter badius) perched on a termite mound.
Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Gaur (Bos gaurus) also known as Indian bison.
Female Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), also known as Swamp Deer.
Female Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii)
Female Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii)
Grey Langur or Hanuman Monkey (Semnopithecus)
"Wait for me mum!"
Chital (Axis axis) also known as Spotted Deer.
A very alert Chital (Axis axis).
Sambar Deer licking rocks in search of salt and minerals to supplement their diet.
Female Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) with calf.
Female Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) at salt lick.
Chital stag (Axis axis)
Chital stag (Axis axis) clambers out of a hole at the salt lick, with female Sambar looking on.
Chital hind (Axis axis) with a stag in pursuit.
Indian Jackal (Canis aureus indicus)
Jackal digging into a termite mound.
Jackal watching a passing Spotted Deer (Chital).
A tiger strolls through the grassland whilst a herd of chital in the background raise their tails, stomp their feet and bark out alarm calls, whilst closely watching the tiger's every move.
Photographs: ©Don Davies
Whilst in Kanha we were also extremely lucky to be able to photograph the very rare Dhole (Indian Wild Dog) which I have included in a separate gallery.
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