Under the Banyan – Bengal Tiger – AP – 11/76

9″ x 12″

“A trip to India is always a wonderful adventure. The word exotic is often over-used,
but in the case of this varied and colorful subcontinent, it really does apply. The ancient
history is still alive, and the people, from tribal villagers to sophisticated scientists, are
friendly and fascinating. But the abundance of nature in such a densely populated place
is always amazing. Birds are the most obvious, but many mammals, including large
ones, can be seen.

Tigers in the wild are, of course, the ultimate goal of anyone interested in the
natural world of India. They are also the hardest to see. On my first trip, I saw none.
The second trip yielded two, and the third trip one. But on the last trip with a birding
group and a tiger bias, we saw fifteen. Some sightings were from elephant back, some
were fleeting glimpses, but the best one of my life was by the old gate in Ranthambore.
There was a mother and two half-grown cubs relaxing not more than four yards
from our vehicle.

This painting is one of those cubs in a tranquil but proud pose with the sprawling
banyan or strangler fig roots as a background. I fervently hope that he and his
relatives will thrive and carry on the Bengal tiger tradition for centuries to come.”

S18-SEC RECEP