Article by Wim

Handsome Wim

It was in February 2000 I decided to go to India. After a few trips to Africa it was time to discover another country. I booked a seat on the airplain and sooner than expected, on the 27th of November I arrived in Delhi. A taxi brought me to my first park: Keoladeo N.P. nearby Barathpur. Early in the morning I jumped on my bicycle. It was still dark, but half an hour later I saw one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen.

The day started in an orange light and there were birds all-over. During the day I took pictures of numerous birds and after a few days I had already seen more than a houndred species.

"A bird I always wanted to photograph in Belgium was the Common Kingfisher"

Because there was no monsoon this year, the waterlevel was very low and the birds were concentrated on a few isolated water parts. One of the birds I always wanted to photograph in Belgium was the Common Kingfisher. Here I could find him on several spots and after a few days I took a very nice shot of him. Not only waterbirds can be seen here. At the nursery I saw, in the early-morning light, a male Orange headed ground thrush and on my last day in the park I took a really good picture of the Coloured scops owl.

My visit to the Keoladeo N.P. ended after six days and I took a night train to reach my second park: Kanha N.P., the land of the tiger.

"This was the reason why I came to
India, to see tigers!"

The first drive already gave me a good impression of the park. It looks familiar to an African park and it has a very high density of wild animals. We heard the alarm call of a spotted dear. Soon the langur monkey's started their alarm call. The tiger was very near but we didn't see him. Hours later I still felt the adrenaline pumping through my vains. The next morning I was the first one to jump into the jeep.

I couldn't wait to see a tiger. In the early morning light the park was amazing. Fog was hanging above the plains and the sun painted the tall grass yellow. All of a sudden she was standing there, 20 meters away from our jeep... a tigress! My heart was beating and I took a dozen pictures, then she was gone. Just like she came, out of nothing, into the high grass.

"The last week I took some time to visit a few villages"

During the next week I saw a total of seven tigers and every time I felt the same excitement. An experience you can't explain with words. The last week I took some time to visit a few villages, temples and especially to meet and talk with the local people.I took pictures of them at the markets, on the street and at the well.

The famous Taj Mahal

Also this week passed by, as quick as the others and I had to leave.

I was impressed by India. Impressed by the nice and friendly people. Impressed by the wonderful landscapes and the wildlife.

India, I'll come back!!!

Meeting Mohit and Pankaj at Kanha !!