(continued from previous photo)

We pulled onto a road which seemed much more open. The trees seemed more widely spaced and the forest was buffered by plenty of grass. We eventually picked a spot and settled down, waiting for the tiger to make one more appearance. Sure enough, it emerged among the trees and it seemed to be using the road we were just driving as a pathway.

It retained its determined composure, a wild dignity and flawless form while silently walking before us. It seemed unconcerned with our presence and took the time to leave scent signals on trees and on the road to let other tigers know it had passed.

Before entering the forest once more, it stopped for a few moments and took in its surroundings, bathed in mist. It sniffed the air, taking in the sweet fragrance of the forest that no words can properly define and then slowly faded into the trees.

I exhaled and took it all in as well.

Its moment’s like these that you live for: where everything seems to slow down, where the sublime beauty of life takes hold and you are left in awe. Perhaps people like myself are more susceptible, but I consider myself luckier for it. Life is so much grander.

Like a traveling flame, the tiger left us smoldering.