A Guelph photographer is ‘on cloud nine’ after one of his photos was selected to grace the cover of Canadian Geographic’s 2024 calendar.
It’s a prestigious moment for any nature photographer, and one Guelph’s Raghuvamsh Chavali has been dreaming about for years.
“I've long been an admirer of Canadian Geographic's work, and my admiration has continued since I arrived in Canada,” he said. “I've held a persistent belief that, someday, I would see at least one of my pictures or articles featured on their website or in their magazine.”
It’s the first time one of his pictures has made the cover of anything – a triumph made even more special because of the photo selected.
The picture, which is both on the cover and the month of June in the calendar, is of a northern cardinal Chavali spotted on a trail near Georgetown and Brampton last year; the bird is eating and about to take flight.
“I've made it a habit to carry my camera and telephoto lens wherever I go because I've learned that wildlife encounters can happen unexpectedly,” he said, remembering a time when he missed the chance to photograph two red foxes.
“I was fortunate to witness the northern cardinal (eating and) poised for flight, and my timing couldn't have been more perfect to capture that fleeting moment,” he said.
Even before getting the cover, the picture was framed on his wall at home.
“This particular image holds a special place in my heart due to the captivating array of colours it showcases,” he said.
Chavali has lived in Guelph for over a year, and in that time GuelphToday has featured several of his photos, including one of the Northern Lights.
But his photography journey started back in 2013, after visiting Ooty, a resort town in the Western Ghats mountains in southern India.
“I found myself spellbound by the natural world I was witnessing, and those scenes have remained etched in my memory.”
His love for capturing nature was further solidified after his first wildlife guided tour in India’s Tadoba National Park.
“I had a truly unforgettable experience with a tiger named Arrow Head. This majestic creature approached incredibly close, just six feet away, and made direct eye contact with my camera,” he said.
“This encounter allowed me to witness the kind of visuals I had always been amazed by in National Geographic, and it was a dream come true.”
And now, being on the cover of Canadian Geographic’s calendar, he “couldn’t be more delighted.”
“Being selected for their calendar cover is truly one of my most anticipated moments. It feels like I'm on cloud nine.”
