Picto Diary - 11 January 2016 - AM. Best Nigel sighting yet!

Note: I inadvertently omitted from yesterday's picto diary a description of an evening sighting of Nigel on our third outing, PM 10 January 2016. For a long time the leopard was visible, head only, in the rocks, at the left base of a euphobia bush. Nigel was difficult to see, but his two ears and head outline could clearly be discerned. Just before dark he stood up and started to walk to the right, giving us a full view for only a few seconds. We didn't sight him again, elsewhere, in the dark, as we did last night.

Above: Langurs on the ridge awaiting the sunrise. Jawai Leopard Camp. Sumerpur, Rajasthan, India. 11 December 2015.

Dawn image captured while waiting quietly in the Maruti for Nigel to make his appearance in the rocks below.

The guides and spotters know that Nigel went into a cave at this spot last night... and, that he will come out at dawn today. Ergo. There is a high likelihood we'll have a leopard sighting.

Above: 30x telephoto, with my dust filled Leica lens, of lemurs on the ridge. Jawai Leopard Camp. Sumerpur, Rajasthan, India. 11 January 2016.

Hear no evil. See no evil. Do no evil.

Above: Bishop, 1% and Heat, and naturalist guide JD wait in the Maruti for Nigel to appear. Jawai Leopard Camp, Sumerpur, Rajasthan, India. 11 January 2016.

Hat tip: Shock

Above: Nigel. Leopard. Sumerpur. Jawai Leopard Camp. Rajasthan, India. 11 January 2016.

Not a great pic, but my pic! Sophisticated wild life camera, Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Nigel is walking to the right on the downward slanted rock, just below image center. In front of green euphobia bush.

We are about 200 feet distant from Nigel. I had a very good look at him through the field glasses. Guides report that game watchers often get much closer to other leopards, but, that Nigel is a recent arrival to the area and still a bit skittish when near humans in Marutis.

I wanted to use my lumix and get a telephoto, but, I couldn't figure out how to disable the flash which automatically goes off in the dawn light. I never said I was a real wild life photographer... though after opportunities to get shots like this, I should look into getting a decent SLR and telephoto lens oriented towards wildlife shots.

Above: Nigel. Samurpur, Jawai Leopard Camp, Rajasthan, India. 11 January 2015.

Hat tip: Image taker Maui, using telephoto, seated in the adjacent Maruti safari car.

Leopard sightings, all of Nigel, are four for four. Sightings on each of my four outings.

Nigel is nice... but, are there any other leopards around?

I think on tonight's safari outing I'll push for trying for another leopard... even if the location is not pin pointed and the odds of a sighting are reduced.

Addendum:



Very cool pictures of the kids skiing.

Mr. Z3,
Ojai, CA