Avian Portraits and Indian Wildlife Photography
I do not just photograph birds; I look for their stories. From the common kingfisher in a suburban Mumbai backyard to the stately Sarus Crane in the fields, every frame captures a personality within the ecosystem.
The Common Kingfisher, a familiar gem photographed in my suburban Mumbai backyard. This blue-blooded royalty is calm and composed, a true inspiration with its icy eyes and dagger-like beak.
A successful hunt. The Common Kingfisher with a tiny fish glistening in its beak, water drops like pearls on its water-repellent plumage. It is a sight to behold.
The glorious Golden Oriole, a bird I called 'Mango-bird' in my childhood. This dazzling beauty visits my window in Mumbai, its melodies and bright color a joyful company as I work.
The Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, an endearing and vividly plumaged bird, peers through the green foliage. It loves shaded tree-cover, where it flits about energetically in a perennial hunt for insects.
A pair of Sarus Cranes, the tallest of India's birds, indulge in a sonorous, trumpeting duet. With necks stretched and bills pointing to the heavens, this behavior helps maintain their lifelong bond.
The snake-like form of an Oriental Darter, or Snakebird, is silhouetted against the fading sun. In these fleeting moments, it seems God alone is the painter of such beauty.
The silhouette of a Comb Duck, locally called Nakta, against the golden glow of the setting sun on water. The mesmeric charm of the ripples is enhanced by the form of this wild waterfowl.
A Tickell's Blue Flycatcher perches on a man-made railing, its short metallic song revealing its presence. These birds can be quite confiding, offering wonderful views even in urban settings.
The blue flycatcher lets out a call, its beak open. These small call-notes are often the first sign of this active little bird as it plays hide and seek in the bushes.
The brilliant blue plumage of the flycatcher stands out against a bright yellow railing. The contrast of natural beauty against urban structures is a common theme in my work.
About Avian Portraits & Stories
I produce limited edition Giclée prints on 300+ gsm Hahnemühle paper, ensuring each 24x36 inch piece is encased in a solid teak frame with UV-protective museum glass. Every print includes a physical certificate of authenticity and a story card detailing the behavioral context of the shot. If you are interested in these archival works or joining my two-day field workshops, please reach out to discuss the specifics.
My approach to bird photography blends scientific curiosity with the patience of a field observer. A bird is never just a subject; it is an actor in a larger drama. When I frame a Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, I am interested in its energy, its territorial calls, and how it navigates the shaded understory. These images are captured with the intention of revealing the story behind the plumage.
The Urban Wild
People often assume that you must travel to remote forests to find avian wonders. My work in Mumbai proves otherwise. The common kingfisher, the golden oriole, and the flycatchers are residents of our own backyards if we simply learn to look. By documenting these species within the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, I want to show that nature is not separate from our urban lives—it is woven into it.
Fieldwork and Mentorship
Beyond photography, I lead two-day nature photography expeditions where we move beyond basic camera settings. We focus on fieldcraft, animal behavior, and the Art of Seeing. These are small groups—limited to 10 participants—to ensure everyone learns how to read the landscape and predict behavior before they even click the shutter.
Conservation Note
We have this one earth. My photography is a plea to protect the Jal (water) and the habitats that support these birds. When you engage with my work, you support the ongoing effort to conserve the wild spaces we have left. If you need high-resolution, ethically shot images for publications or corporate projects, my archives are also available for rights-managed licensing.
Sunjoy Monga
I am a naturalist and writer first, using my camera to document the drama of the Indian wilds. My work takes me from the dense forests to the tamarind trees outside my Mumbai window, always looking for the behavior and stories that reveal the true character of our birds.
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