An exhibition on Kenya’s scenic landscape

Sneha Mahale, Hindustan Times

Mumbai, January 25, 2012

A wild elephant guides its calf in Yala, about 250 kilometres south of Colombo, Sri Lanka on Monday, February 26, 2007. According to Sri Lanka's wildlife department, there are about 4,500 elephants roaming the country's forests, of which 150 are killed every year by ivory poachers and farmers who complain their crops are destroyed by the wild animals.

For wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike, a trip to Kenya is a great opportunity to make some unforgettable memories the great wilderness, contrasting landscape and a wide range of predators and prey in action. Now, you can catch some of these moments at PL Deshpande Art Gallery, Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, as part of a group photography exhibition titled Kenya — A journey into the Wilderness. The 130 pictures on display have been shot by six amateur photographers, during trips made over three years.

“These moments were captured during different seasons, as different animals and birds can be found at the same spot depending on when you visit,” says Atmaram Parab, one of these photographers, who clicked his pictures on display during visits in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

 And the famous Masai Mara isn’t the only focus of the exhibition. While the big cats, hippos and rhinos find a place of pride in the works, the photographers also visited the Aberdare Range for their African elephants and Lake Nakuru for their flamingo and pelican population.

Parab says, “We also shot the endangered Golayat Heron at Lake Baringo and managed to catch the striped hyena at day time.” And during the migration season, they were able to watch several wildebeest, zebras, giraffe and several types of deer.

Some kills and chases added to the excitement, and a particular incident of a lion chasing a deer made for an interesting discussion.

Parab says, “After a long chase, this deer jumped over an electric fence nearby. Though none of us could see what happened to the deer, we and even the lion waited for 30 minutes near the fence for its return.”

Catch Kenya - A journey into the Wilderness at PL Deshpande Art Gallery, Prabhadevi, from January 28 to February 5. From 12 pm to 8 pm.