Wildlife photography beyond the birds
While birds are my first love, the wild is full of other stories. From reptiles and mammals to the giants of the forest, here are the creatures I have encountered while out in the field.
While looking for rare birds, this juvenile Bengal Monitor Lizard caught my eye, basking in the sun on a cold winter morning. A beautiful reptile.
A herd of deer, framed through the leaves, creates a dreamy, atmospheric scene. This is what wildlife looks like: serene and perfectly in its element.
A magnificent Barasingha (Swamp Deer) with its antlers in velvet, standing in the lush greenery of a wetland.
A Greater One-horned Rhinoceros resting in the tall grasses, a peaceful giant and a true success story of Indian conservation.
A short video compilation showing the diversity of life, from a garden lizard to a bee-eater catching a dragonfly. Nature is always soothing.
A Jungle Cat looks back over its shoulder. These cats are incredibly adaptable, but they face increasing threats from habitat loss.
About Beyond the Birds
Wildlife photography, especially when stepping outside of birding, is entirely about stillness. Whether I am tracking a jungle cat or waiting for a monitor lizard to emerge, I follow the same rules: I do not bait or stage the shot. I simply wait until the animal feels comfortable enough to carry on with its life while I am in the frame.
Nature does not follow a script, and that is exactly why I enjoy photographing wildlife beyond just birds. Capturing a rhino resting in the tall grass or a monitor lizard basking on a cold winter morning requires a different kind of patience. It demands that I understand the habitat—knowing where the water sources are, reading the movement of the herd, and anticipating the behavior of the animal before it even steps into view.
My work takes me from the wetlands of Najafgarh Jheel in the Delhi-NCR region to the deep forests of Bihar and the Himalayan foothills. In every location, my approach remains grounded in conservation ethics. I do not use tricks or bait to get a quick reaction. I want to show you the animal as it truly is: serene, alert, and living in its own world. Whether it is a Barasingha in the marsh or a shy mammal moving through the undergrowth, I look for those fleeting moments where the animal forgets the camera is there. If you are looking for authentic wildlife images for research documentation, media use, or fine art prints for your home, I offer high-resolution coverage that stays true to the wild.
Sumit Kumar Sum
I am Sumit, and for me, a successful shoot is not about getting a trophy photo. It is about mud in my hair, waiting for hours in the grass, and hoping the animal gives me a look that says they are okay with me being there. I just want to show you the wild the way I see it.
Looking for specific wildlife or a different habitat?
You can search for specific species or locations I have covered in my work.
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