Photographer Mithun waited six days to capture a rare shot of a leopard and black panther together—an image now hailed as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Wildlife photographer Mithun H is known for his extraordinary images of big cats, particularly leopards. His Instagram profile, followed by over 500,000 people, showcases his stunning portfolio of wild feline photography. But one particular photograph recently skyrocketed his fame—it features an incredibly rare sight: a female leopard and a black panther standing together, perfectly aligned and gazing directly into the camera. The image, titled The Eternal Couple, mesmerized the internet. In the photo, the black panther—actually a melanistic leopard—appears as the shadow of the golden leopard in the foreground. Both animals are alert yet calm, creating a surreal, mirror-like moment that seems almost too perfect to be real.
Capturing this remarkable image took six days of nonstop waiting in the same spot deep in the forest. Mithun, who has spent years tracking these elusive animals, knew that patience and timing would be everything. “It was a magical moment, one that I’ll relive in my mind every day,” Mithun said. “You don’t get to witness such sights more than once in a lifetime.” The photo’s rarity is not just due to the presence of a black panther, which is already an uncommon sight, but the fact that both the panther and the leopard are clearly visible together in a single frame—facing the camera in a perfectly composed scene. It’s a visual that photographers dream of but rarely capture. Mithun began his wildlife photography journey in 2009, after capturing a powerful image of a male tiger swimming across a river.
That moment sparked a lifelong passion for photographing wild animals. Having grown up in the forests of South India, he developed a deep connection with nature and a special affection for leopards. Their elegance, stealth, and agility continue to inspire his work. Though photographing predators in the wild can be dangerous, Mithun believes most wild animals are far more cautious and shy than aggressive. “Give them space, let them get used to your presence, and you’ll see how close you can get to their world,” he explained. “The secret lies in patience and respect.” For Mithun, the wait, the risks, and the long hours are all part of the journey. And in this case, that journey delivered a breathtaking glimpse into the rarest corners of the animal kingdom.
