For the better part of the year, Shefiq Basheer, a motor vehicles inspector attached to the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office, dons the uniform and follows a routine by the rule book. But, every now and then, he takes a break from his routine, and goes to the wild, following not rules but his instincts. An avid wildlife photographer, Mr. Basheer’s intuitive premonitions have brought him rich dividends time and again. The latest being the first prize in this year’s wildlife photography contest organised by the State Forests and Wildlife Department. He received the award from the Chief Minister on Sunday. Mr. Basheer had won the award twice in a row earlier, in 2014 and 2015.
His photograph of a majestic tiger rolling on its back on by a river bank in the pristine forests of Parambikkulam Wild Life Sanctuary won Mr. Basheer the award this year.
“The beauty of our forests is best captured when sun rays seeps in through the thick green cover. It is that texture and play of light that probably made that picture worth an award,” said Mr. Basheer. When he was certain that the tiger had slept, he waded through the water and got closer to it to get the best frame. He went on a clicking spree, by the end of which the tiger woke up, glanced at him and simply walked away into the forest.
