More at http://www.sanctuaryasia.com | Photofeature
Dr. Pramod Bhalchandra Bansode
Kartik Bhat
LOCATION: Kumbhargaon near Solapur, Maharashtra, India DETAILS: Camera: Nikon D300, Lens: Nikon 80-200 mm. f/2.8,
Shutter speed: 1/13 sec., Aperture: f/8, ISO 200, Focal length: 86 mm.
LOCATION: Hirgana, Karnataka, India DETAILS: Camera: Canon EOS 6D, Lens: Canon EF 24-105 mm. f/4 L IS USM,
Shutter speed: 1/500 sec., Aperture: f/4, ISO 320, Focal length: 105 mm.
Bird Wind In the winter, immense
fl ocks of birds crowd the skies
over Kumbhargaon, Maharashtra, in
fantastical murmurations. They cavort
and wheel as one giant entity, dancing
in the wind and commanding the
attentions of all those in the vicinity.
This breathtaking depiction of the
phenomenon manages to portray
the size of the gathering and the
fl uid grace of the birds. Dr. Pramod
Bhalchandra Bansode’s decision to
make this image from a low angle
ensures that the murmuration stands
out against the sky and the slow
shutter speed gives the formation a
smoke-like quality. Truly beautiful.Depth of Despair The accusing,
yellow eyes of the melanistic
leopard that fell into an open well
in the Hirgana village of Karnataka
monopolises this frame. Luckily for
this particular individual, help was
at hand. The well-owner called the
Forest Department who mobilised a
swift rescue by covering the mouth
of the well with a net, except where
they lowered a ladder into its depths.
The ladder led into a cage, which
the drenched cat obligingly entered.
It was later examined and then
released into the nearby Kudremukh
National Park. This powerful image
illustrates one of myriad invisible
threats to India’s wildlife – uncovered
wells. NGO Wildlife SOS estimates
that over the course of a decade,
1,500 wild animals died from falling
into open wells in Maharashtra alone.
The numbers for the country will
no doubt be many times that. Given
the situation, such charismatic and
wrenching images are essential to
bringing attention to the problem.