Wildlife Photography: Mumbai’s Insects & Invertebrates
Every tiny creature plays a role in our ecosystem. From butterflies in the Western Ghats to spiders in urban gardens, I capture the little things that often go unnoticed.
An Autumn Leaf butterfly in the monsoon greens. This species has evolved to look exactly like a dry leaf, a perfect example of camouflage as a survival strategy.
Another shot of the Autumn Leaf butterfly. It's one of my favorites, a master of disguise hidden in plain sight.
A wide-angle shot of a Sahyadri Blue Oakleaf butterfly camouflaged on a tree. From a distance, it's easily mistaken for a dry leaf, a crucial defense in the jungle.
A closer look at the Sahyadri Blue Oakleaf. Its ability to blend in is a testament to the power of evolution.
A wide-angle shot of the Sahyadri Blue Oakleaf, showing its "dry leaf" camouflage against the vibrant green bokeh of the forest.
A Common Leopard butterfly feeding on a wildflower. I love photographing butterflies, and Big Butterfly Month is the perfect time to celebrate their delicate beauty.
A Blue Tiger butterfly on a Lantana flower. The contrast of its patterned wings against the soft green background makes for a beautiful composition.
A Common Pierrot butterfly on a Crown Flower. These tiny, delicate butterflies are a joy to find and photograph.
A Psyche butterfly, its translucent wings glowing against the dark background of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
A Common Sailor butterfly resting on a leaf. These wide-angle shots help to show the butterfly in its natural habitat, telling a more complete story.
About Small Wonders: Insects & Invertebrates
Capturing insects requires a different kind of patience compared to larger wildlife. When I shoot a Blue Oakleaf or a caterpillar in the monsoon greens, I am often lying on the forest floor for an hour, waiting for the wind to drop so I can get a sharp focus on tiny wings. It is about understanding the animal's path and finding the exact angle where light hits them, rather than just snapping photos and moving on.
Many people ask me why I spend so much time photographing the little things. When you look closely at a Common Sailor butterfly or a spider spinning its web in the monsoon, you start to see a complex world that usually passes us by. My work with invertebrates is about shifting perspective.
The Art of Macro and Wide-Angle
To document these creatures, I use specific gear like 90mm or 100mm macro lenses. These allow me to reveal textures that the human eye misses, like the delicate scales on a butterfly wing or the complex pattern of a caterpillar. However, I also love using wide-angle shots to show these insects in their actual habitat. Whether it is at the BNHS Conservation Education Centre or in a local park near Borivali, capturing the insect against the background of the forest tells a more complete story than a tight portrait alone.
Why These Creatures Matter
Invertebrates are the backbone of our ecosystem. They are pollinators, decomposers, and prey for birds and reptiles. When I document the Blue Wanderer or the Crimson Rose, I am not just taking a photo. I am highlighting the biodiversity that still thrives in Mumbai, right under our noses.
Common Challenges in Urban Wildlife Photography
- Weather: Monsoon is the peak time, but the humidity can be brutal on camera gear. I ensure my kit is weather-sealed, and I often use diffusers to manage the harsh, dappled light of the forest canopy.
- Ethics: I never bait or stress the subjects. If a butterfly does not want to be photographed, I move on. The priority is always the animal's welfare.
Whether you are interested in a documentary clip for a nature campaign or need a specialist photographer to document the biodiversity in your campus or local park, I bring the same focus to the small wonders as I do to the larger ones.
Karan Solanki
I am Karan, and my camera is my way of showing people the wild magic hidden in our backyards. From the moment I picked up a camera, I have been just as obsessed with butterflies and spiders as I am with snakes. It is not just about the photo for me, it is about respecting the smallest lives in the forest.
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