Behind the lens

a blog every Friday on a specific species of animal or bird and jungle lore

Listen to my TEDx talk.

The Intimacy of the Gaze

These encounters weren’t planned or controlled. No Cages! No Scripts! Just fleeting moments where wild animals meet the human gaze. Each look is a presence, a life moving through the same landscapes as us - forests, grasslands, hills. 

We are visitors in their world as much as they are part of ours. To watch them look back is to remember responsibility, humility and coexistence. 

#WildArtWorks #AmrabadTigerReserve #TelanganaTourism #WildlifeConservation #NallamalaHills #EcoTourism #IndiaBiodiversity #ForestBathing #WildlifeEthics

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Maisamma Madugu

Hidden deep within the Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Chenchu sacred groves like Maisamma Madugu are protected patches of forest revered by the indigenous Chenchu tribe. These sites are managed through traditional wisdom, serving as biodiversity hotspots, conserving rare flora & acting as sanctuaries for wildlife. The tribe’s belief system ensures these groves remain untouched, fostering ecological balance and protecting natural resources.

#WildArtWorks #AmrabadTigerReserve #ChenchuTribe #SacredGroves #TelanganaTourism #WildlifeConservation #NallamalaHills #IndigenousKnowledge #EcoTourism #IndiaBiodiversity #TribalHeritage #MaisammaMadugu #AchampetRange

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Eastern Cattle Egret

A small, compact white heron with relatively short yellow bill. More frequently seen in dry habitats than other egrets. In the breeding season, look for bright orange head and breast. Often gathers in flocks, frequently following cattle or tractors in fields.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #KawalTigerReserve, #AmrabadTigerReserve, #nirmal, #wildtelangana, #Boath, #telanganawildlife, #waterbodies, #heronconservationorg, #CattleEgret, #Egret, #EasternCattleEgret

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Indian Pond Heron

A small heron that is common in most aquatic habitats across the Indian subcontinent. Adults in breeding plumage have a dark reddish brown back that contrasts with a yellowish head, neck, and breast. Although typically solitary, large numbers often gather where food is plentiful.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #Kawal, #KawalTigerReserve, #AmrabadTigerReserve, #nirmal, #DindiReservoir, #wildtelangana, #telanganawildlife, #waterbodies, #indianpondheron, #pondheron, #Ardeolagrayii, #heronconservationorg,

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Little Egret

The Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) remains a quintessential subject for wildlife photographers across Telangana’s vibrant wetland ecosystems. Often referred to locally as Chinna Tella Konga, these graceful herons provide a dynamic photography experience as they "dance" through the shallows of urban and rural lakes.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #Kawal, #KawalTigerReserve, #hyticos, #nirmal, #wildtelangana, #telanganawildlife, #waterbodies, #littleegret, #egret, #Egrettagarzetta,

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Streaked Weaver

Finding and photographing the Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar) is an exercise in exploring vibrant wetland ecosystems. Often overshadowed by the more common Baya Weaver, the Streaked Weaver is a resident species specialized in reedy habitats near water bodies. I found and photographed these weavers near the banks of the Godavari River. The massive Sri Ram Sagar Reservoir serves as a critical habitat for various bird species, especially during the monsoon and winter months.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Wildlife, #naturephotography, #earthcapture, #conservationphotography, #wildlifeonearth, #bbcearth, #natgeowild, #natgeoindia, #Kawal, #KawalTigerReserve, #hyticos, #nirmal, #wildtelangana, #telanganawildlife, #streakedweaver, #weaver, #weaverbird, #reedhabitat, #waterbodies, #sriramsagarreservoir,

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A Night under the Stars - Kantegaon Lake

Kantegaon Lake, in Boath Buzurg, offers a serene escape from city light pollution, providing a magnificent, unobstructed view of the cosmos. One can expect to see a sky full of shining stars and during its season, on clear nights, potentially the Milky Way.

Camping at the lakeside is a popular activity, allowing for a peaceful overnight stay in well-maintained, clean tents with cozy amenities. The experience is often complemented by a warm campfire and a barbecue dinner, where friends and family can share stories and laughter in a tranquil, natural environment. The quiet atmosphere of the lake, away from urban noise, ensures a truly relaxing retreat, with the soothing sounds of water and nature enhancing the experience. These organized camps even offer guided stargazing sessions with powerful telescopes and expert naturalists.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #PromediagearTR424L, #MilkyWay, #MilkyWayPhotography, #Longexposure, #ETTR, #LightPollution, #MilkyWayTimelapse, #LongExposureTimelapse, #Timelapse, #Astrophotography, #TelanganaDarkSkies, #TelanganaAstrophotography, #WildSoundWorks, #Bortle3, #Bortle3MilkyWay, #fallingmeteor, #boath, #BNCS, #BoathNatureConservationSociety, #TSFD, #TelanganaStateForestDepartment, #PranayThodishetty, #SiddharthaMukherjee, #Telangana,

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Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee Wildlife, Bird Photography Siddhartha Mukherjee

White-browed Scimitar Babbler

The Old World Babblers are a family of passerine birds diverse in size and coloration, characterised by soft fluffy plumage. These are birds of tropical areas, with the greatest variety in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. This group is among those Old World bird families with the highest number of species still being discovered. Featured here is the White-browed Scimitar Babbler from Doi Luang in Chiang Mai.

It is a medium-sized babbler with a slightly decurved yellow bill. It usually forages low in the undergrowth, at middle levels, or on the ground, often in mixed flocks with other babblers and laughingthrushes. Found from the upper lowlands up into mountainous regions, where it inhabits forests with dense undergrowth, as well as shrubby edges and grassy areas. Repertoire is vast and includes whoops, rattles, and hooting. As with other scimitar-babblers, pairs duet with one another.

#wildartworks, #Canon, #Babbler, #whitebrowedscimitarbabbler, #birdinginthewild, #birdphotography, #Timaliidae, #thailand, #DoiLuang, #DoiPhaHomPokNationalPark, #scimitarbabbler,

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