Year Thirteen: Still on the Road, Chasing India’s Wild Wonders

A journey with tigers, lynx, mangroves, snowfields, and the ever-evolving dreams of a wildlife photographer.

This June marked the completion of 13 incredible years as a full-time traveler and wildlife photographer. Each of these years has brought its share of thrills, satisfaction, and inevitable disappointments—but 2024–25 stood out as particularly rewarding.

One of the year’s biggest highlights was photographing yet another elusive wild cat—the Eurasian lynx—in the stark wilderness of Ladakh. I was also fortunate to finally see the rare and secretive Asiatic golden cat. And perhaps the most surreal moment came in Kaziranga, where I captured images of the magnificent Golden Tiger—a sight that will stay with me for a lifetime.

My journeys over the past year spanned all four corners of India. From Munnar in the deep south, where I documented the delicate beauty of tiny, vibrant frogs, to the icy reaches of Ladakh in the north for snow leopards and lynx. I explored the dense, rain-drenched forests of Arunachal and Assam in the northeast, travelled through the wilds of Bengal and Odisha in the east, returned to the heart of India in Madhya Pradesh, ventured through the arid landscapes of Rajasthan in the northwest, and spent time in the forests of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the north.

I visited eight different tiger reserves this year, each offering its own magic:

Corbett

Still my favorite tiger park in India. The Dhikala landscape, with its mix of grasslands, riverbeds, and dense sal forests, continues to give me stunning photographic opportunities. Since I visit Corbett more than any other park, naturally, most of this year’s frames are from here.

Bandhavgarh

Another park close to my heart. After a brief hiatus, I’ve been returning regularly over the last three years. This year, I made two visits, and each trip reminded me why Bandhavgarh retains a special place in my heart for tiger photography.

Kaziranga

This breathtaking park in Assam always delivers. Though I usually visit once a year, this time I went twice—and was rewarded handsomely. The sighting and successful photography of the Golden Tiger was the crown jewel of my year. Adding to that was a beautiful encounter with the king himself—the King Cobra.

Panna

Once renowned for its diamonds, Panna has carved a new identity—as a tiger stronghold. I visited the park three times this year and was treated to some truly fabulous sightings. The rugged cliffs, deep gorges, and teak forests of Panna always offer something raw and dramatic—perfect for storytelling through the lens.

Pilibhit

What began a few years ago as a tentative, exploratory trip has now become a cherished annual ritual. This year, Pilibhit gifted me with some stunning winter frames—especially of the shy and elusive Tarai males. Watching these massive cats emerge from the winter mist under the ancient sal trees is always a rewarding experience.

Kishanpur & Dudhwa

I returned to these two parks in Uttar Pradesh after nearly a decade. While some of the tracks were unfortunately closed during my visit, I was still lucky to get a few good sightings and came away with enough photographs to tempt me to go back next season. The landscape, with its marshes, sal forests, and grasslands, remains as enchanting as ever.

Sundarbans

The mystical land of mangroves—a place I’ve been returning to for over a decade, driven by the hope of witnessing its most elusive inhabitant: the mysterious marsh tiger. Last year offered a fleeting glimpse, just enough to keep the dream alive. But this season, that long wait was finally rewarded.

I was blessed with a sumptuous sighting—a mother and her two cubs moving gracefully through the mangroves, followed by another sighting of a solitary female. It was surreal. That one magical encounter washed away a decade of missed chances and monotonous boat rides. It reminded me why I keep returning to this hauntingly beautiful, untamed world.

Ladakh

A permanent fixture on my annual itinerary, Ladakh is usually where I go with no set agenda—I go there just to be there, to soak in its stark beauty, solitude, and silence. But this year was different. I travelled with a specific goal in mind: to track and photograph the elusive Eurasian lynx.

And fortune favoured the determined. I was lucky to not only spot a lynx but also photograph it—a moment of immense satisfaction. As a bonus, the mountains revealed even more of their secrets: two snow leopards and a pack of wolves made appearances, turning an already special trip into an unforgettable one.

Bera

For me, Bera is the most relaxing wildlife destination. There’s never any doubt about spotting a leopard here—the only question is how good the photographic opportunity will be. This year, I timed my trip for August, hoping for a touch of green in the landscape. Along with some lovely leopard sightings, I was lucky to also spot a Rusty-spotted cat—a rare and welcome bonus

Eaglenest, Arunachal

Two of the three wild cats I’ve yet to photograph are found in this remote, magical corner of Arunachal. That made them my primary targets during my visit to Eaglenest this year. Last year, my attempt had yielded no results.

Looking back, I suspect I made a small mistake with my prayers before the trip. I asked, “O God, show me the cats,” when I should’ve said, “Please let me photograph them.” As fate would have it, I did see the stunning Asiatic Golden Cat—an unforgettable moment—but couldn’t get a single frame. A classic case of so close, yet so far.

Still, the trip wasn’t without reward. I returned with some beautiful images of the Ward’s trogon. In Eaglenest, even what you don’t find has a way of enriching the journey.

Munnar

For the first time in my journey as a photographer, I ventured into the world of macros. The Western Ghats, with their incredible biodiversity, are a treasure trove for this genre—and what a place to begin.

I was lucky to photograph two spectacular species: the dazzling Galaxy Frog and the aptly named Resplendent Frog. Both were as challenging as they were rewarding.

That said, diving into macro photography and starting off with two of the most prized captures—even for seasoned macro photographers—felt a bit like a street cricketer suddenly being drafted into the national team. Exciting, overwhelming, and humbling all at once. But it opened a whole new world for me—one I hope to return to with more skill and steadier hands in the years to come.

This concludes my annual account of another unforgettable year on the road. Many of you would have seen these images shared across the months, but I felt it was only fitting to curate the best from this year’s captures and bring them together in a single album. I hope you enjoy revisiting these moments as much as I did living and photographing them.

And with that, the journey continues. When I return with my 14th-year update, I hope to have one more wild cat added to the album—one more dream chased, one more story lived.

In my earlier avatar in the corporate world, we had profit targets. Now, as a wildlife photographer, I have wild cat targets. The difference? Those corporate targets often felt like management fantasies—far removed from ground reality. But these wildlife goals, though tough, are still grounded and achievable. And the one thing they have in common? Both give you a reason to wake up each morning, keep pushing forward, and never stop chasing.