Species: Elephant | Location: Maharashtra, India
The Matriarchs of Mudumalai
They call it “an elephant's memory.” True to the idiom, it is the strong memory of an elephant that leads the herd to the water holes miles away during the hot dry summers. Intelligent that they are, they enjoy strong family bonding living within the herd of related females. The herd is often lead by the oldest and strongest matriarch of the group. Males generally part ways to lead a solitary life when they reach an age between 12-15 years.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, I prefer calling it the Mecca of elephants, offers a very dry hostile weather condition for photographers. Elephants have always been my second love right after the Big Cats, and shooting them has always been fun as they display a wide range of emotions like grief, joy, anger and pain. Not one to be demotivated, I wait patiently for the perfect moment to capture them. They have offered me multiple scopes for a perfect shot by their unique mudbath, bathing, stamping of feet and lifting of trunk during my earlier visits.
This young mother and her calf captured in their playful moment made my day. I loved what I got. Perhaps it will be there within me as “an elephant's memory” for years to come...
About The Photographer
Mumbai based wildlife enthusiastic and nature lover,love to be in the jungles of India.
