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Soma Modi

@modi.soma

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Nature (what’s left of it) is my solace in an otherwise insane world.
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Grand daughter of the legendary Matkasur and the iconic Choti Tara, daughter of the fierce Jharni & the indomitable, current ruler of Alizanza, Chota Matka - this young tigress comes from an illustrious gene pool. Having inherited her father’s bluish eyes and his sparsely striped but strong shoulders, she’s been aptly named Chanda. Much like the moon, her captivating beauty is all consuming and she lingers on in the proverbial mind’s eye, long after an audience with her in her kingdom concludes. Matkasur, the first tiger I sighted in the wild (with @pranadpatil), lit a fire that has since turned into an inextinguishable blaze. Almost a decade later, to have his grandchild (with a name that shares its meaning with that of mine!) lock eyes with me on my birthday, felt like divine design. With immense gratitude for this kindness, I can only hope the Universe continues its generosity and one day grants me an opportunity to witness Chanda advancing her bloodline. @jigneshpatel_jd , can’t thank you enough for bypassing the traffic jam and getting the jeep positioned so strategically - it was vital for this shot! Also thank you for all the information regarding the genetic characteristics she has acquired. Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari with @hiss_and_croak in the Alizanza buffer of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. #tiger #tadoba #tadobanationalpark #natgeo #animallovers #animalplanet #discoverindia #bbcearth #nationalgeographic #nationalparkphotography #bigcat #wildcatsofindia #wildcats #wildlifephotography #incredibletadoba #indian_wildlifes #othallofframe #safariphotography #tigerconservation #tigerlover #wildencounters #indianwilderness #nikonphotography #incredibleindia #maharashtratourism #tigerconservation #capturedonnikon #animalsofinstagram #naturelovers #bbcwildlifepotd #tigerdiaries by @modi.soma
459
a year ago
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Monday Mood! Sometimes the ‘bear’ necessities in life are a comfy bed and a long nap! Polar bears spend a third of their day sleeping. A 7-8 hour period of unbroken sleep is quite the routine. In addition to these prolonged periods of slumber, they also like to take short naps of 1-2 hours, which could be at any time of the day, but is more likely after a good meal. On a blistering cold day, around noon, we spent over an hour on the ice at Hudson Bay, in the company of this large, male bear. Cameras all ready, we hoped that he would awake from his siesta and strut around, showing himself off to us. He, of course, valued his beauty sleep far more than vanity and didn’t even so much as stir the entire time. That was upto the point that lunch (meat stew) was served in our Rover (vehicle used to drive onto the ice to view the bears)! His sensitive nose picked up the scent even in deep slumber and his eyes opened instantly! Nothing disturbs sleep except for the smell of food - he had his priorities quite right I’d say! #polarbears #hudsonbay #polarbearlivesmatter #bearsofinstagram #bears #polarbearsofinstagram #canada #canadianwildlife #endangered #churchill #wildlifephotography #animalsofinstagram #wildencounters #canonphotography #animalphotography #predators #animallovers #arcticadventures #naturein_focus #bbcearth #wildlifeplanet #wildlifeaddicts by @modi.soma
141
a year ago
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A White-bellied sea eagle opens its majestic wings and takes flight with its lunch firmly grasped in its talons. Before it took off, we watched the raptor as it meticulously prepared its meal, making sure it was fit for consumption by decapitating the snake! Captured on a trip to Oyster Rock Lighthouse from @cintacorislandresort - ahhh the sheer serendipity of a lighthouse visit turning in a sea safari with dolphins and sea eagles! Thank you to naturalist @sujnan_sonu for insisting that I carry the tele lens on a trip that I was hesitant to weigh myself down with heavy gear. Shot with Canon 80D and Tamron 150-600mm lens. #eagle #eagles #raptor #raptors #raptorsofinstagram #birdsofprey #birdsofinstagram #birdphotography #birdsofindia #birdsinflight #whitebelliedseaeagle #natgeo #animallovers #birdlovers #canon #canonphotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #birdingphotography #birdphoto #wingspan #indianbirdsociety #birdphotographersofindia #naturephotography #nature_infocus #bbcwildlifemagazine #bnhs #indianbirds #naturelovers #natgeomoments @natgeo @bbcearth @animalplanet@canonindia_official @tamronindia @sanctuaryasia @bombaynaturalhistorysociety by @modi.soma
90
2 years ago
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The elusive songster.Endemic to the Andaman Islands, this long tailed robin-like bird inhabits the dense forests of the larger islands of the archipelago. Often hard to spot due to their shy nature, they would remain concealed were it not for their melodious singing giving them away. Previously considered a sub species of the White-rumped Shama, it is now classified as a separate species owing to its distinct morphology (belly colour) and its geographic distribution. However the classic Shama pose transcends their location in the country and like their cousins from the mainland, they too frequently raise their tails exposing a reddish brown vent (picture 2). Andaman Shama (Copsychus albiventris) Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm on a trip with @andaman_birding_tours guided by @prodip_sardar8 #birdsofindiansubcontinent #endemicbirds #birdsofinstagram by @modi.soma
93
5 days ago
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Like true biodiversity chasers, whilst all other jeeps went looking for Tigress F2 and her cubs, we went to look for these beauties! Crested Treeswifts - one of the most stylish looking birds one can find! This couple sat preening themselves on the higher branches of trees in the heart of the Gothangaon area of UPKWLS. We waited a long time, hoping they would come together and huddle like they often do, giving birding enthusiasts that picture perfect couple moment. But it seemed as though they were annoyed with one another because they refused to even land on the same branch! Nevertheless they were benevolent enough to pose singularly for our cameras, reminding us that Tigerland is also home to some of the prettiest birds!Crested Treeswift (Hemiprocne coronata)Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari with @shantarambhoyar_tour_guide in Umred Pauni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. #swifts #birds_captures #birdsofindia #birds_adored by @modi.soma
131
13 days ago
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“Trust in me, just in me,Shut your eyes and trust in me,You can sleep safe and soundKnowing I am around” - Kaa in The Jungle Book. The northern Western Ghats Vine Snake sitting hypnotically on a leaf seems to be doing a Kaa impersonation. Who is his Mowgli?! A tree snake that is known for its striking green colour and long nose, this species is endemic to and widespread in the Western Ghats of India, ranging from Sirisi in Karnataka to Matheran in Maharashtra. A mildly venomous serpent (harmless to humans) that feeds on frogs and lizards, it has unfortunately been the victim of a popular misconception leading to its widespread killing. Its scientific genus name Ahaetulla, which translates to “eye-plucker” in Sinhalese, has fueled historical folklore leading to the myth that they peck at or attack people’s eyes to blind them. This fallacy probably stems from their behavior of fixing an unblinking, focused gaze on perceived threats. Their horizontal, keyhole-shaped pupils are adapted to give them excellent binocular vision and depth perception because of which they are able to hold their heads still and stare directly ahead. It is this stance that creates the illusion that they are locked onto the observer’s eyes. Northern Western Ghats Vine Snake (Ahaetulla borealis).Local (Marathi) name: HarantolShot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm in Amboli on a herping trip with @hiss_and_croak guided by @rahul_chavan_12_13 #herping #snakes #snakesofinsta #vinesnake #amboli by @modi.soma
138
17 days ago
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Parched, cracked land that remains barren for miles, blinding rays of the sun that are harsh enough to burn skin and scorching temperatures that can cause a heat stroke - thats the picture that comes to mind when one hears the words ‘summer in the Little Rann of Kutch’. But summer is also denning season for the Indian Desert Fox and the prospect of seeing young pups is attractive enough to make us wildlifers sit even in a live tandoor! We squatted on the fractured ground of Gujarat’s saline desert at a safe distance from the Fox’s den, our eyes peeled on the small opening in the embankment. Returning to the same spot morning and afternoon, we watched the doorway to the little home better than the most faithful of chowkidars. Such was our dedication that even the ants considered us part of the landscape and began to crawl all over us! But for 2 days, the den remained as motionless as the air - neither did the parents appear nor did the pups stir.On the third day, as the rays of the rising sun gilded the east side of the embankment, our luck turned! Two big ears appeared in the doorway, followed by two bright eyes, a little nose and two tiny paws. Chin rested against the paws, a pup peeked out of his little fortress to scrutinise the surroundings before disappearing back down the hole. He probably reckoned the job at hand needed reinforcement because a few minutes later, he returned with his sibling! Finally our 2-day wait in the most inhospitable conditions paid off, as the two little stars put on an hour long show on the porch of their home! No other humans, just us and them! Nature does after all, reward patience and perseverance - yes she does! Indian Desert Fox pups, also called the White-footed Fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla). Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens in the the Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat on a trip with @hiss_and_croak #fox #animalbabies #indianwildlife #nutsaboutwildlife #canidae by @modi.soma
197
21 days ago
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Warning‼️: Rather filmy narration coming up! 😜The empty road, the mink flowers, and a backdrop of verdure. The slant rays of the setting sun and cameras in the hands of a hopeful audience, fighting the dejection that comes from a missed sighting. The stage was set… the lights and camera were ready… but the star of the show was playing truant. Earlier that afternoon, by the side of this very road we had a glimpse of Helen, a gorgeous but infrequently seen leopardess of Rajaji National Park. She had stuck her head out from behind the grass for precisely 5 seconds before turning her back on the devotees who had waited an hour for her ‘darshan’. Towards the end of the safari, having missed the sighting of another leopard almost all other jeeps had been fortunate to see, we were back on the same path that Helen stood beside. To lighten the mood, my friend @priya_bhat06 began singing an altered version of a famous song associated with an actress from the yesteryears, whose beauty incidentally inspired the naming of this leopardess. “Helen tu ab toh aaja”, no sooner had Priya uttered those words, that a leopard emerged on the path ahead of the jeep. It was Helen!! She had stepped onto the stage as if she wanted to sync her arrival with the next line of the song “Dekho, dekho woh aagayi”! And just like that, it was just her and our lone jeep - Nature’s exclusive show that will stay etched in our memories forever! Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari with @goalkeeperlucky navigated by @aariffarhan03 #leopard #wildcatsofindia #rajaji #bigcatsindia #nuts_about_wildlife by @modi.soma
270
a month ago
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Bulbul naam sunke flower samjhe kya? Flower nahi fire hai main! 😜One of the most striking of the bulbuls, this songbird is endemic to the western ghats of India. Its most prominent feature, the vibrant orange-red throat resembles the flicker of a flame and has inspired its nomenclature. Although not facing a threat of extinction at present, its has been listed as moderate priority due to a declining population trend as a result of habitat loss. The Flame-throated Bulbul (Rubigula gularis) Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens. #bulbul #birdsofindia #nutsaboutbirds #birds_captures by @modi.soma
107
a month ago
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Dalmia Cement has a new brand ambassador! 😜On a serious note, this comes as a stark reminder of the mess that humans create. The otherwise shy, male cub of K-Mark walked toward the empty cement bags that lay strewn in his home. Stopping at one of them, he bent down, sniffed it and grabbed it in his mouth. Lifting his head up, he momentarily glared at the humans that had lined up to see him and then strode back into the bushes from where he had stepped out. Inside the thickets that obscured our view, we heard him and possibly his sister, rip the bag apart. He would likely return to pick up the others at some point. What began as a regular afternoon safari had turned into a cringeworthy audio-visual presentation on ecosystem pollution. Even if there is no direct ingestion, the microplastics and other noxious agents that leech out of those bags will find their way into soil and water, eventually becoming a part of the food chain through plant and animal uptake. These non-biodegradeable substances are a hazard to the delicate balance of the habitat, threatening the wellbeing of biodiversity. Humans are just 0.01% of all life, but we have wiped out 60% of other animal populations since 1970 (with some reporting a higher number). Chemical pollution has been a significant contributor to this destruction. We need to ask ourselves why we find it so difficult to pick up after ourselves? Where does this complete disregard for the other beings that share our planet come from? Why do we think nothing of damaging pristine environments that are not only “their” life support system but even ours?! Before it’s too late we must realise that we aren’t a separate entity from nature, we are a part of Her.PS. A note from Tigress K-mark:“Stop making my cubs into ‘child’ labourers!”Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari with @hiss_and_croak in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve#thebetterindia #indianforestofficial #natgeoindia #animalplanetindia by @modi.soma
257
2 months ago
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The Laggar Falcon, also called the Lugger Falcon or the Jugger (जग्गर in Hindi ) is a mid-sized raptor endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. In India, it is commonest in the deserts and semi-arid regions of the country, whilst being noticeably absent or rare in the southern states. A species that was once upon a time widespread enough to be a common sight, is today on the Near Threatened list of the IUCN. Widespread use of pesticides, habitat destruction from expanding agriculture & urbanisation, as well as the illegal capture of these birds for falconry markets, is responsible for their rapidly declining populations. Lagger Falcon (Falco Jugger)Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari with @musa_naturlist_of_thar_desert in Desert National Park#falcon #birdsofindia #birdsofprey #nutsaboutbirds #birdphotographersofindia by @modi.soma
136
a month ago
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The storm that rocked a quiet morning!The ginormous J-Mark created quite a stir, in the forest and in our hearts, as he stormed onto the Gothangaon side of UPKWLS. Normally a reclusive resident of the Karhandla side, seeing a glimpse in his own zone is considered lucky! To get him head on and that too in Gothangaon, was like the Universe’s reward for testing us with an extended dry safari run! Shot with Nikon z8 and Nikkor 180-600mm lens on a safari brilliantly guided by @kishor_halmare_tour_guide and skilfully driven by @lokesh_upk_gothangaon, in Umred Pauni Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. #tiger #bigcats #wildlifeofindia #umred #discoverywild by @modi.soma
140
2 months ago
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