Capturing the Birds of India's Wetlands
From the misty sunrise at Dhanauri to the vibrant life at Keoladeo, I focus on capturing the raw, behavioral stories of our wetland birds in their natural element.
A Sarus Crane in flight over the misty morning landscape of Dhanauri Wetland. The soft light and fog create an ethereal mood, highlighting the bird's massive wingspan. This is the kind of serene beauty that makes early mornings in the wetlands so special.
A cormorant struggles with a large fish at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. The dark, moody lighting and the splash of water create a dramatic scene of survival. It's a raw depiction of the predator and prey relationship.
A pair of Greylag geese flying in perfect sync, like a dual engine aircraft. I captured this against a misty background, which emphasizes their synchronized movement and partnership. This is a great example of avian teamwork.
A Sarus Crane preening its feathers in a lush green paddy field at Dhanauri. The vibrant green background makes the bird's grey and red colors pop. These are the tallest flying birds in the world, and their elegance is unmatched.
An aerial drone shot of a massive flock of flamingos at Sambhar Lake. From above, the flock looks like a living, breathing organism, creating abstract patterns against the green water. This perspective reveals the sheer scale of their migration.
I call this "The Dance of Nature." A duck takes off from a wetland, its wings beating powerfully as others swim calmly in the background. The scene captures both the dynamic energy and the peaceful harmony of the ecosystem.
A portrait of a Sarus Crane at Dhanauri Wetland, with its striking red head standing out against a dark, moody background. I am always thankful that these wetlands provide a safe home for such beautiful creatures.
A purple heron captured in a dramatic dive at the Dhanuri wetlands. The unusual angle and the motion of its wings and legs show the bird's incredible agility as it hunts. The lush green reeds in the background add context to its habitat.
A Northern Shoveler duck takes a dive for food, with only its tail and bright orange feet visible. This playful image, along with the Hindi poem I wrote for it, captures the feeling of finding relief from the intense summer heat.
A darter, also known as a snakebird, tosses a small fish into the air before swallowing it. This is a classic fishing behavior, and capturing the fish in mid-air at Keoladeo National Park required perfect timing.
About Birds of the Wetlands
Getting the shot isn't just about the long lens, it’s about field craft. I spend hours in the pre-dawn silence at places like Dhanauri or Surajpur, learning the birds' flight paths and routines before I even touch the shutter. This is why my work focuses on behavioral storytelling, like capturing a cormorant's catch or a crane's courtship, rather than just static portraits.
Wetland photography is a game of patience and anticipation. Unlike shooting in a controlled studio, here the 'studio' is the foggy morning air and the changing light of the wetlands. Whether I am using the Nikon Z9 for its high-resolution speed or the Sony Alpha 1 to freeze the action of a darter tossing a fish, the goal remains the same: to tell a story.
My approach to bird photography in spots like Dhanauri, Surajpur, and Keoladeo is strictly ethical. I maintain a respectful distance, using exotic prime lenses (like the 600mm f/4) to get frame-filling shots without stressing the birds.
- The Behavioral Focus: I don't just look for a pretty bird. I look for the courtship dance of Sarus Cranes, the predatory instinct of a cormorant, or the synchronized flight of Greylag geese.
- The Technical Challenge: Shooting in low light during sunrise requires managing noise and exposure balance effectively. I process these images with a focus on natural color grading to keep the scene as it felt in the moment—cool, crisp, and alive.
Whether you are looking for fine-art prints of these avian hunters or want to join me on a workshop to learn how to track these species, the focus is always on the 'kahani' (story) behind the photograph.
Girish Singh
I'm Girish. I live for these early mornings, waiting for the fog to lift at the wetlands. My photography is about showing you the soul of these birds, not just their feathers, and I use my gear to bring you right into their world.
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