After waiting for seven hours in the scorching sun, an Indian wildlife photographer with a passion for big cats snapped a once-in-a-lifetime photo of an Asiatic lion drinking water from a natural source. He had coveted the moment for years, and his powerful photo exemplifies both the majesty and vulnerability of this amazing species.
Hardik Shelat, 35, is based in Gujurat, India. Since developing his interest in wildlife photography into a full-blown passion eight years ago, he has frequented many national parks, sanctuaries, and forests, hiding unobtrusively, to capture stunning photos of animals in their natural habitats.
For the past five years, Shelat has visited Gir National Park in Gujarat, which is an 8-hour drive from his home.
Shelat told The Epoch Times, “I’ve captured so many lions–males, females, and cubs–in different habitats and different moments, but it was my dream to capture lions drinking water from a natural waterhole.”
In April 2022, Shelat returned to Gir National Park on a sweltering day accompanied by a permit and guide from the forest department. They set out before dawn, clad in camouflage gear carrying Shelat’s equipment, a Canon 7D Mark II digital camera with Sigma 150-600mm lens.
“It was more than 45 degrees Celsius [115 degrees Fahrenheit] inside the national park,” Shelat said. “You have a limited time of three to four hours for the morning safaris, and three to four hours in the evening ... it was my first safari in the morning, and while searching for the lions I came across one of the natural waterholes, which came from recent rain, two days back.”
Shelat and his party waited patiently by the watering hole but to no avail. Unwilling to give up, they returned at 3 p.m. to the very same spot for their afternoon safari. That’s when the magic happened.
Shelat said: “A sub-adult male lion approached the waterhole ... we were hiding in one of the bushes. That lion came to the waterhole and drank the water; slowly ... we were on the exact opposite side. After waiting for almost seven hours, and four to five years, I took my dream shot.”
As the lion quenched his thirst he was bathed in “perfect light,” Shelat said. His majestic face, the glistening light in his eyes, his tongue lapping, and his entire body captured in one frame—it all made for a masterpiece.
Shelat and his guide also noticed a wound above the lion’s right eye. The guide explained that the wound had been inflicted during a fight between the lion and its sibling two days before, over territory.
“Unfortunately we missed these shots,” Shelat said, “but I caught the lion drinking water and looking straight at us, so I am more than happy. It was my ‘dream come true’ moment.”
Back in Ahmedabad, Shelat went straight to his local photography shop and printed the photo, to be framed in his home.
Shelat stressed that his dream shot was the product of immense patience, and also caution.
“To witness wildlife you have to be very patient,” he said. “Patience is the key.”
It was a scorching hot day so they had to cover themselves. Additionally, they even wore camouflaged clothes in order to hide from the lion, as they wanted him to approach the water hole fearlessly.
Shelat said: “While taking the photograph, and while roaming in the jungle, you have to be careful that you are safe. You [also] have to make sure that animals or birds don’t feel unsafe and don’t get hurt.”
Shelat, a Gujarat University graduate, works as a senior manager for ICICI bank when he is not taking photos. It was taking walks in the park near his house at the age of 22, observing birds and nature, that first deepened his interest in the natural world.
“It was difficult to afford a camera when I was not working. I didn’t want it to be a burden on my parents, so I started working hard and earning money, and I bought my first camera when I got my third salary,” Shelat said.
“I still am learning ... I have not done any courses or anything,” he said.
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