My First Encounter with the Net-Casting Spider In Outpost 12, Kanha.
While I usually start my "spider talks" with the legendary Portia jumping spider, there is another arachnid that truly pulled me into the world of spiders: the Net-casting spider (Asianopis). This species consistently amazes me with its specialized hunting techniques and masterful camouflage.
Night trails at Outpost 12 always carry a sense of mystery. The forest feels different after dark. Quieter in some ways, yet alive with hidden movement. Every step under the dim light reveals something you would easily miss during the day. It was during one such night trail that I came across an unusual creature resting on a leaf, something that didn't quite look like a typical caterpillar.
For the past three years, I have been documenting moth diversity across our property, spending many nights observing the incredible variety of species that appear after sunset. While daytime wildlife often receives most of the attention, the forest at night tells another story; one filled with delicate wings, quiet movement and hidden ecological relationships.
One of my regular monitoring sites is Outpost 12, our bio-lodge built with the idea that tourism and biodiversity conservation can exist together. We actively work on protecting its surrounding vegetation, maintain native plant species and limit disturbance to wildlife. Over time, this approach has allowed the property to function as a small but thriving forest patch, supporting a surprising diversity of insects, birds, reptiles and other wildlife.
My moth observations have become a simple but powerful way to measure this biodiversity. Using a light trap during night surveys, I document the moth species that visit the area. Each session brings something new, reminding me that even a small protected patch of habitat can support remarkable life.
Wildlife photography is 90% failure and 10% pure luck. We don't direct the scene; we just hope to be there when the curtain rises.
For nearly two decades, I have been chasing a specific moment - a tiger, in full view, standing tall to mark its territory. It's a classic behaviour, the massive cat stretching out to sharpen its claws, rubbing its chin & cheeks and leave its scent high on a tree trunk. But for me, it has always been a ghost. I have seen it happen behind thick bushes. I have seen it from bad angles. I have missed it by seconds.
But Kanha rewards those who wait.
Editor’s note: Night safaris in the buffer zone of Kanha National Park have been discontinued as of December 2025. However, guests may still encounter nocturnal wildlife in and around the park while returning to Outpost 12 after their afternoon safari.
A Night to Remember: My Unexpected Encounter with the Rusty-Spotted Cat
Night safaris always hold a certain kind of magic, but this one in the Khatiya Buffer Zone of Kanha turned out to be unforgettable. The weather was absolutely perfect; the sky was crystal clear, and thousands of stars glittered above us like scattered diamonds. Under that enormous, glowing sky, we ventured deeper into the forest, searching for some of its shyest nocturnal residents. Our goal was to spot creatures like the pangolin, the porcupine, and the flying squirrel.