After spending nearly eight hours in the sweltering heat, Indian wildlife photographer Hardik Shelat received the picture of a lifetime. He was able to see and take pictures of an Asiatic lion drinking from a natural watering hole at the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India, because of his tenacity. A cut next to the large cat’s eye and its gentle lap-taking of the water serve as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of living in the wild.
Shelat exhibits a high level of care for the creatures and their habitat, whether he is taking pictures of birds, a rhinoceros, or a lion. He is able to get amazing images of them going about their daily lives by taking care not to disturb them.
Shelat frequently travels to sanctuaries, parks, and forests to enhance his wildlife photography and learn more about the biodiversity in his immediate environment. He believes that endangered and rare animals are essential to establishing the “perfect balance to flourish on Earth” and hopes that people would recognize his love of wildlife photography as a means of protecting them.
To understand more about how Shelat took his fantasy photograph of a lion drinking, read on for My Modern Met’s exclusive interview.
How did your love of wildlife photography begin?
I’ve gained recognition for my wildlife photos since 2014. My fascination with and appreciation for nature was the beginning. I always prefer taking a stroll and unwinding in a natural setting, whether it’s a garden, park, riverbank, or woodland. I used to take pictures of the beauty of nature on my walks, but I always felt compelled to capturing various spontaneous moments of birds and other animals.
I developed my love for wildlife photography through time. While traveling to numerous national parks, sanctuaries, and forests, where my enthusiasm was an asset, I started devoting more time and effort.
What type of gear do you use in your photography?
I currently use a Canon 7D Mark II digital camera with a Canon 500 mm and a Sigma 150 to 600 mm lens.
What sort of research and planning goes into your trips?
I always take the weather and season into consideration before leaving on my trips because India is a large country with a variety of weather patterns. Animal sightings can occasionally be influenced by the weather.
One must also think about their clothing in relation to the season. I always choose to wear camouflage gear and hiking boots because they not only don’t upset animals but also help us blend in with their surroundings.
I also need to have a camera and lens cover with me during monsoon season for security.
For my travels, I always make sure to pack the necessities, including an extra charged camera battery, binoculars, memory cards, a compass, a torch, a cap, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and last but not least, a first aid kit with some simple prescription medications.
In regards to your photos of the lion at Gir National Park, what can you share about your experience?
I frequently went to Gir National Park in hopes of capturing the picture of a lifetime: an Asiatic lion sipping from a natural water source.
When I was there previously, I had the opportunity to take pictures of one, but the lion was using a man-made watering hole.
Before daybreak, we began our day. To make sure there was a natural water source, we wandered throughout the national park.
We were overjoyed when we finally saw it because the location and markings indicated that there was a good chance of seeing a lion.
After settling down, we waited for about eight hours on the other side of the water hole. The Asiatic lion eventually emerged from the underbrush and started to move toward the watering hole. In addition to having the camera ready, we were also waiting for the lion to move while being careful not to make any noises to avoid waking him up with our own movements.
It was over 46 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) when the lion finally began to sip water to relieve its thirst in the sweltering heat.
 How did you feel when he finally emerged to drink?
My most anticipated moment was eventually recorded after numerous journeys to Gir National Park over a long period of time. I was very happy that my fantasy had come true.
What inspires you about lions as a photographer?
The only cats that live in a group, or “pride,” are lions. The pride as a whole roars. The range of a lion’s roar is up to eight kilometers (five miles). They use their urine to scent-mark the boundaries of their territory. They move from one location to another in order to live in harsh climates.
In the same way, people spend their entire lives with their family, with whom they have deep relationships of love and affection.
The qualities that inspire me most frequently are courage and strength.
How do you ensure your safety in a situation like this?
We always keep a safe distance from wild creatures and try to stay away from wearing clothing in garish colors like red, yellow, and orange.
We never ever get out of the jeep out of precaution. We let the animals free rein in their own environment.
We also respect their privacy by not teasing them or making undue noise around them. Aggressive behavior only results from a sense of insecurity about one’s own existence.
What is your advice for up-and-coming wildlife photographers looking for opportunities?
I’ve taken approximately 10,000 photos since 2014, and as a result of traveling widely, putting in a lot of work, and dedicating a lot of time, I now have a varied portfolio of animal images.
My experience has taught me that being patience and being optimistic are essential.
Leave a Reply