r/WildEscapes

F2, one of the resident tigresses of Umred Karhandla Gothangaon Wildlife Sanctuary, pauses for a moment while scent-marking her territory during the golden hour.

Territory marking is a vital part of a tiger’s life. By spraying urine, rubbing scent glands, and leaving scratch marks, tigers create a chemical map that can persist for days or even weeks. These scent signals communicate identity, reproductive status, and territorial boundaries, helping neighbouring tigers avoid unnecessary conflict while advertising their presence to potential mates.

Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, Umred Gothangaon is a beautiful reserve of lakes, bamboo forests and mixed woodland. Its varied terrain and rich prey base make it an excellent place to witness authentic tiger behaviour away from the crowds.

Photographed in February 2026 using a Sony A7III with 200-600mm f5.6-6.3 GOSS

ISO 5000 | 200mm | 0ev | f5.6 | 1/200s

River Terns during breeding season are almost impossible to stop watching.
I spent the morning watching a breeding colony of River Terns (Sterna aurantia) on Bhadra Lake.
For the adults, the routine never seemed to stop. Leave the island. Hunt. Return. Feed the chicks. Repeat.
The rocky islands scattered across Bhadra Lake may look barren, but they're carefully chosen nesting sites. Surrounded by water, they offer some protection from ground predators. Even so, breeding success depends on stable water levels, healthy fish populations and minimal disturbance during the nesting season.

River Terns fly low over the water, constantly scanning for movement beneath the surface. Every plunge is a calculated gamble, and during the breeding season, every attempt matters.

Elegant in flight and unmistakable with its bright orange-red bill and black cap, the River Tern is one of India's few freshwater terns.
Unlike many of its relatives that spend their lives along coastlines, this species depends on healthy inland rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

River Terns rarely wait for prey to come to them.
Instead, they patrol continuously over the water, using exceptional eyesight to locate fish just beneath the surface before making a rapid dive.

River Terns nest together on exposed islands, where dozens of breeding pairs raise their young side by side.
The colony offers many eyes to detect danger, but every pair still has to hunt, feed and protect its own chicks.

After each hunting trip, the adults return to the colony where hungry chicks are waiting.
During breeding season, these flights between lake and nest are repeated countless times every day.

Freshly hatched chicks are completely dependent on their parents. Their mottled down provides excellent camouflage among the rocks, while a constant supply of fish fuels the rapid growth they'll need before taking their first flight.

Watching this colony was a reminder that behind every fledgling is countless hours of hunting, vigilance and parental care.

When I don’t need to use burst mode in camera and the Ibises do it for me.