"Sultan" - the Prince of Ranthambore

Our group reached Ranthambore and started off on the first safari. We reached the outer gates of the safari and fort entry. From this gate the actual tiger reserve entry is about 3-4 km. This 3-4 km stretch is a public access road to the Fort-temple. People travel on this road in their 2 or 4 wheelers. At this entry gate, we heard that there was a tiger sighting on the road! So we started off quickly towards the zone entry. Right in the middle of the road, we found a huge crowd and on the left side we had this beauty seated. As this was a public road, the traffic was blocked and people wanted to leave while safari jeeps didn't! There was lot of honking and yelling to clear the streets. The forest officer tried his best to calm them down and clear the road. The tiger ofcourse got a little distubed and moved to a little higher perch. 3-4 minutes later, it decided to get up. I figured that it will cross the road, I had 4 vehicles ahead of me. So I stood of the chair of the jeep and got my camera ready. Within seconds the people in the front jeeps too got on top of the chair blocking my view. I didn't have time and I had a 3.5 kg lens in my hand. So I immediately stood on top of the back of the chair and balanced myself into position. "Sultan" - the Prince of Ranthambore majestically walked across the road and I got to be one of the paparazzi for a second.

After taking the shot, I got down with a smile and the guy in the car next to me said, "Sir, why are u taking such a risk climbing up with such a big lens just to see a Tiger". Well, he will never know the thrill!
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