GOLDEN JACKAL

India's Bandhavgarh National Park is best known for tigers but also has a thriving population of golden jackals. Taken just after sunrise, golden light makes the subject suit its name. Although having perhaps less impact than a portrait with direct eye contact, I like this jackal's look of concentration. The image seems balanced by the slender stem of grass in the line of his gaze.

F/6.3, 1/1000th second, ISO 200
Accepted: Oxford 2013