On a jeep safari in the jungles of Nagarahole National Forest in Southern India, our patient wait at the waterhole paid off when this tigress appeared. At first she was a bit shy, only her head visible behind the ridge of the waterhole for a few minutes as she scoped out our jeep. Then she confidently walked down the bank to the water's edge for a drink while keeping a keen eye on us, before laying down in the water for about 30 minutes to cool off.
This image was taken in daylight (5 pm) and edited only in Lightroom for the desired effect.