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Chital


Chital
Photo Information
Copyright: Goldy RS (goldyrs) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 573 W: 55 N: 1253] (4704)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-15
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon S2 IS
Exposure: f/4, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-03-08 3:33
Viewed: 408
Points: 29
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Corbett has four species of deer. They are the most frequently sighted large mammals in the Park.

Chital (Axis axis) or Spotted deer is the commonest of deer species of Corbett. It is also the most beautiful, with characteristic white spots on its reddish-brown body. Only male chital have antlers that may grow up to 1 m length. These antlers are periodically shed and a new set developed every time.

Chital live in large herds and are usually seen in open grasslands. Grasses form the main food for chital but they also depend on fallen fruits, flowers and leaves from forested areas. They prefer to graze in short grasslands without much cover because in such areas

they can watch out for predators like tigers. Tree cover is also required as shelter and source of food. Chital are most active in early morning and evening and rest in cool places during the heat of the day. They give alarm calls to warn the herd when a potential threat or predator is sensed.

Chital are ecologically important because they form an important prey base for carnivores like leopards and tigers. They also help in dispersal of plant seeds including grasses and also tree and shrub species like amla, ber, etc.

Para or Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) is the rarest of Corbett’s deer. It is closely related to the chital but is smaller in size. Unlike most other deer, the hog deer is not given to leaping over obstacles but instead, it escapes its predators by crouching low, ducking under obstacles. Its limbs are short and its hind legs are longer than the fore legs. This anatomy raises its rump to a higher level than the shoulders.

This species mostly inhabits grasslands, swampy areas and clearings and is usually nocturnal. Unlike chital, hog deer are solitary animals but sometimes feed in small groups. Hog deer face the threat of habitat destruction, especially draining of swampy areas and change in water regimes.

Sambar (Cervus unicolor) is the largest deer found in Corbett. Its body is largely a uniform greyish-brown in colour, except for the creamy white on the backsides and under-tail areas. Males have antlers up to 1 m long that are periodically shed and replaced. Male sambar also have dense manes on their necks.

Sambar are mostly found in dense forests with a gently sloping to steep topography. They are known to reach altitudes as high as 3,700 m. Sambar browse on leaves, berries, fallen fruit, leaves and tender bark of young trees, and also graze on grasses and sedges. These deer are mostly active solitary but may be found in small groups during the mating season.

They let out a loud, repetitive alarm call when they sense a threat. These signals are used by trackers to locate tigers.

Sambar is the most important prey species for the tiger and presence of Sambar usually indicates a good tiger habitat.

Kakar or Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak) is the smallest of Corbett’s deer.

The body colour is golden tan on the dorsal (upper) side and is lighter on the undersides. Male Kakar have short antlers growing on long, bony projections called burrs. In place of antlers, females possess only bony knob-like burrs on their head. Males also have tusk-like upper canine teeth curving sharply outwards from the lips.

Kakar are mostly found in areas having dense vegetation and hilly terrain. They prefer to be close to water-sources. Kakar are omnivorous and feed on herbs, fruit, grass, tree-bark and also birds’ eggs and small animals. They are solitary and quite territorial.

Kakar emit a typical dog-like alarm “bark” when they sense the presence of a predator. Barking may carry on continuously for up to an hour. They are active both during daytime and at night.

They are a prey for tigers, leopards, jackals and pythons.

TFL
ClaraS, Karin, boreocypriensis, Royaldevon, CeltickRanger, kmr13777, bahadir, jusninasirun, zulfu, anmolishere, ennas164 has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Royaldevon: Thank you!goldyrs 1 03-08 06:14
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Goldy!
Thanks for comment on my sky :)
I really like composition of your shot, and that chital looks perfect, but i wish it could be more sharpen ;-)
but still it looks good, great job.
thanks!
Clara S

Hi my Bro Goldy,
What a lovely capture of this beautiful chital in wolking (or running). Excelent shot my friend with nice POV, DOV and details. TFS for this beauty.
Cheers,
Bayram

Hello Goldy,

I do like the fact that you have captured this deer in what looks like natural surroundings.
You have caught interesting details of his coat.
Like other critiquers, I think the composition could be improved. I hope yopu will permit me to do a little w/s for you.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

Hi Goldy, good portrait of this lovely creature, nice pose and wonderful colors, well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  •      
  • Karin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 418 W: 5 N: 268] (2089)
  • [2008-03-08 5:33]

Hi Goldy,
A nice dear on it's way. The focus on the dear could be better, but I guess the camera had some difficulties to focus because of the losts of branches in front of the animal. If it was possible, you could also try to get a more interesting composition.
Sorry I don't want to ofend, I'm a Virgo, and they are known to be very critic ;-) But I think you want to improve... I guess you have some limitations with your camera
Thanks for your very interesting information.
TFS
Karin
P:S I think the workshop Beverly made is quite good and enhances the potential of your photo

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1329 W: 107 N: 4785] (21248)
  • [2008-03-08 5:46]

Hello Goldy, very good capture of this deer, good POV and good exposure, good job, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-03-08 9:33]

Hi Goldy,
I visit your gallery for the first time and I am impressed by the wide spectrum of topics you have touched. Jim Corbett National Park is a dream visit for any wildlife enthusiast and you have posted some fabulous shots from there. Thanks to you I have got an insight into that incredible place.
This is another wonderful shot of the Chital among the long grasses. Very neat and sharp image with lovely colours and perfect natural lighting. Nice walking pose captured. Excellently chosen POV and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Hello Goldy,
I loved how you captured the Chital with it's natural surrounding!
good colouration and details on the Chital!
may be push up the F value to have a better clartiy, only my opinion!
many thanks for sharing
Tony

Hey Goldy,
Have done a workshop on the picture. Lemme know what you think.

TFS
Kirti

Hi Goldy,

A lovely capture from this deer, you have the deer centered and i see left more space and rights a little cropped.

Regards Gert

Nice capture of this beautiful chital Goldy. TFS. Regards,
Bahadır

hello Goldy

lovely shot of this deer, i love that the deer on his natural
habitat and is surround by the vegetation, excellent POV
and excellent luminosity of the image, and for the framing
i love Beverly's workshop, TFS

Asbed

Hello Goldy. Good shot in natural environment. Light and details are well manipulated for this superb capture. Regards. Jusni

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-03-09 21:42]

Hello Goldy

A lovely capture of this deer.The markings show well.The spotted fur is quite effective at hiding these deer in long grass and leaves.
The colours are very natural and the lighting is very good.
Great POV .
TFS
Rob

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (583)
  • [2008-03-10 20:15]

Hi Goldy
A lovely shot of this beautiful deer! TFS. Regards. Mehmet

Excelent shot
REGARDS,
Anmol

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