Creatures Great and Small: Portraits of India’s Biodiversity
From the macaques in Dudhwa to the fruit bats in my Juhu garden, I find magic in the small, often overlooked corners of the wild.
"Why does it have to be Monday?" This Rhesus Macaque's soulful expression in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is something I think we can all relate to. Their human-like expressions make for incredibly compelling portraits.
The face you make when you forget the one thing your mom asked you to get. This young Rhesus Macaque in Dudhwa has such a relatable, worried look.
"Joey doesn't share food!" This Rhesus Macaque in Kishanpur, with a bit of food dribbling from its mouth, perfectly captures that feeling. These moments of humor are everywhere in the wild.
A portrait of a Rhesus Macaque from my trip to Dudhwa. The dark background helps to isolate the subject, highlighting its expressive face and the texture of its fur.
"Blink, and it's Monday again!" An Olive Baboon from Lake Nakuru, Kenya, looking thoroughly unimpressed. This photo from my 2007 archives shows that my love for capturing animal moods started early.
An Indian Rat Snake, or Dhaman, tasting the air with its forked tongue. These non-venomous snakes are incredibly fast and play a vital role in controlling rodent populations.
The many faces of a dragon. This Oriental Garden Lizard, basking in the sun, shows off its beautiful breeding colors.
A close-up portrait of an Oriental Garden Lizard. The incredible detail of its scales and its calm, watchful eye are the focus of this shot.
A male Fan-throated Lizard showing off its colorful dewlap. This stunning display is used to attract mates and defend territory, a truly spectacular sight.
An Olive Ridley Sea Turtle hatchling making its perilous journey to the sea in Dive Agar. It's a powerful moment, representing both the fragility of life and the instinct for survival.
About Creatures Great and Small
You might walk past a garden lizard or a fruit bat without a second glance, but I see stories in them. When I shoot these smaller creatures, I use a macro lens to capture details the eye misses, like the intricate scale patterns on an Oriental Garden Lizard or the gentle care of a mother Indian Flying Fox. It is rarely about the 'perfect' shot, but about the patience to let the animal settle into its true self.
My approach is simple: I never stress an animal for a shot. Whether I am tracking a Rhesus Macaque in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve or sitting quietly in a Mumbai garden to capture the 'farmers of the forest'—the fruit bats—I rely on being a silent observer. I have been documenting these smaller, crucial species since 2007 because biodiversity is not just about the big cats.
Why Macro Matters
For many of these shots, I use professional telephoto and macro lenses to get close without intrusion. This is critical for wildlife conservation. If you look at the portrait of the Fan-throated Lizard, you can see the vibrant breeding colors that are meant to attract mates. Capturing these moments requires hours of waiting, often in hot, humid conditions, but the result is a connection that feels real.
Ethical Photography
Every image you see here was taken with respect for the subject. I work with Mumbai shelters and NGOs, and I bring that same ethical standard to my wildlife projects. I avoid flash and keep my distance. If you are a property owner, a resort manager, or just someone curious about the wildlife in your own backyard, I offer biodiversity surveys. I help you identify the species—from birds and insects to reptiles—and document them with scientific accuracy, including their IUCN status and behavioral notes. It is a way to turn a walk in the woods into a deeper understanding of the life around us.
Saloni Tirodkar
I’m Saloni. I don't just photograph animals, I listen to them. From the monkeys in Dudhwa to the bats in my Juhu garden, I spend hours waiting for a genuine moment, not a staged shot.
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