The Wild Card

The popular presenter of the famous BBC television series Big Cat Diary is in India with wife Angela,also a wildlife photographer. An exhibition of their work,that recently concluded in Delhi,is now taking place in Mumbai. The couple is also in the process of finalising a project to work on a book in association with the Oberoi group of hotels,which will capture their travel in India. “We visit the Taj Mahal every year — it is like a pilgrimage for both Angie and me,” says the 63-year-old artist,who feels that the duo has evolved from wildlife to travel photography and now wish to journey from the northern tip of India to the southern-most in a vehicle.

Their compatibility reflects in their work. While for Angela — who used to sketch since childhood — photography was a natural progression,Jonathan took to it to aid his research. It is this combination of scientific and artistic approach that helps them in their work. Together,they have penned nearly a dozen books and contributed to eight television series,including Big Cat Diary,Big Bear Diary and Elephant Diaries. Their favourite animals to track? The big cats. “We have followed a pride of lions for 35 years. The ones we started to follow are now dead; we are following their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sometimes we know them as well as we know our friends,” says Jonathan,adding that the most important prerequisite in wildlife photography is patience. “Once I spotted a leopard on the top of a tree at 5.30 am and knew that he may not move from his spot before dusk. I spent the following 12 hours reading and working on my laptop and at 6.30 pm the leopard got up,yawned and stretched. I managed to click him in a silhouette,climbing down the tree,” he recalls.