Featured Wildlife and Bird Photography
I have gathered some of my favourite frames from the field right here. These shots represent the patience and luck that go into tracking birds and wildlife across Maharashtra.
This is the shot I live for. The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, a tiny bird often called the "colour bomb," with its hard-earned meal. Capturing this moment required immense patience and waiting for the perfect light to make its rainbow plumage pop against the mossy perch in Panvel, Maharashtra.
The thrill of bird action photography is freezing a split second in time. Here, a Common Kingfisher launches from the water in Wai, Maharashtra, its reflection captured in the golden-hour glow. This shot demonstrates my ability to anticipate movement and capture the raw energy of wildlife.
There's nothing quite like the majestic presence of a Great Hornbill. I used dramatic, low-key lighting to sculpt its impressive casque and intense gaze, creating a powerful portrait that feels both intimate and grand. This was a memorable encounter in Mangaon, Maharashtra.
The Indian Paradise Flycatcher is pure elegance. This is the white morph of the species, and I framed it against a soft, earthy background in Pune to emphasize its graceful form and the incredible length of its tail feathers. It’s a testament to how I use composition to tell a story.
Some of the most rewarding moments in wildlife photography are the quiet ones. This Brown-headed Barbet is diligently feeding its chick inside a tree hollow. Capturing these nurturing behaviours requires trust and time, allowing me to document the life cycles of these amazing creatures.
A portrait is more than just a picture of an animal; it's about its environment. I found this female Amur Falcon perched on a rock amidst a field of wildflowers in Lonavala. The soft purple hues create an artistic, almost painterly, backdrop that highlights the falcon's fierce beauty.
While birds are my primary passion, I’m drawn to all of nature's vibrant characters. This Malabar Giant Squirrel, with its rich, multi-toned fur and incredibly long tail, was a stunning subject to find high in the canopy in Matheran. It shows the diversity of wildlife I seek out.
This short film shows a Black-naped Monarch tirelessly feeding its hungry chicks in their tiny, intricate nest. Video allows me to share the full story, capturing the movement, urgency, and tender interactions that a single photograph sometimes cannot.
About Featured
The secret behind these images isn't just the Sony A7RIV or the 200-600mm lens; it is purely about waiting. For shots like the kingfisher in Panvel, I usually sit in camouflage for hours before the light hits, just to catch that split-second dive without spooking the subject.
Photography in the wild is less about the gear and more about being in tune with the environment. When you look at these images, you are seeing a moment where I managed to blend into the surroundings of places like Karnala, Matheran, and Dandeli.
My process is simple. I look for the 'golden hour' light to get that soft bokeh background, which keeps the focus entirely on the animal or bird. Whether I am shooting a tiny Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher—which I call a colour bomb—or tracking a Malabar Giant Squirrel, the goal is always to show the animal's natural behaviour rather than just taking a static portrait.
I offer two main ways to work together. If you are a photography enthusiast, I run 1-on-1 field mentorship sessions where we focus on camera settings, tracking, and composition in the wild. If you need professional content, I do commercial biodiversity documentation for brochures and websites, delivering high-resolution images that are ready for print.
This featured collection is just the start. You can browse through my specific projects, like my work with raptors in 'Birds of Prey' or the intimate nesting behaviours in 'Intimate Moments', to see how I approach different aspects of the wild.
Mandar Kamble
I am Mandar, and I am happiest when I am lying low in the mud, waiting for a kingfisher or a squirrel to show up. I do not believe in forced shots, so I just wait for the wild to tell its story while I am holding my camera.
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