Nature's Realm Wildlife Photography

EYE OF THE GHARIAL

 This submitted shot for the Nat Geo 2010 International photography contest was prominently exhibited on National Geographic's on-line splash page for a few weeks, and was voted by many as one of the best shots of the year. Soon thereafter, I was approached by a firm in the UK wanting to purchase to use within their new packaging design called the "Raptor", now being sold throughout Europe.

WILDLIFE Facts:  Gharials inhabit four river systems of the northern Indian subcontinent. Easily recognizable because of their unique appearance, both male and female gharials have long slender snouts and webbed hind feet. Gharials are among the largest living crocodilians. A mature male can grow to more than 20 feet in length, and a female can grow up to 13 feet in length.