India, Jan. 9 -- The birds know it. The bees know it. Even Disney movies know it: Forests are made of magic. New paths are forged every day as elephants amble along in search of snacks. Toppled tree trunks become home to families of rodents, insects and birds. The arrival of a single new bird can shake up the whole jungle. Both sounds and stillness tell stories. And somewhere, something is always watching.

Most tourists, however, have tunnel vision for big cats and larger animals. They drive through, expectations high, DSLR at the ready. But believe that if they haven't had an Insta-worthy sighting, they saw nothing.

There's no such thing as a nothing safari, wildlife experts say. "Chasing a tiger or a leopard is exciting. But there is ...