Insects, Reptiles & Fungi Photography
Insects, reptiles, and fungi are the true cloak-and-dagger artists of the wild. This gallery explores the small-scale drama hidden in plain sight, from the color-shifting Girgit to the ephemeral mushrooms of the monsoon.
The Indian Chameleon, or Girgit, a quick-change artist and insect-eating machine. Supremely gifted by evolution, this lizard holds the human observer spellbound with its oddity and grace.
The perfect masquerade of the Blue Oakleaf butterfly. With wings closed, its underside perfectly mimics a dry leaf, complete with vein-like markings, making it almost impossible to spot.
A peerless Stick Insect, one of nature's masters of deception. Sluggish and spending a lifetime in low foliage, they are almost impossible to spot, a true challenge for any naturalist.
A cluster of vibrant red mushrooms emerges from the forest floor. These dainty beauties, part of the empire of fungi, appear for just a few weeks, ensuring the cycles of life and death go on.
A grasshopper perches on a branch next to a tiny mushroom. The monsoon wilds wouldn't be half as exciting without the color-play, song, and hop of these fascinating musicians.
A chameleon peeks through the leaves, its rotating eye ever watchful. Its eyes, head, feet, and tail are all ultimately endowed for survival in the bush.
The chameleon's legendary color-changing prowess is on display as it begins to shift its shade to match the surroundings. The monsoon weeks are the best time to try and spot one.
The prehensile feet and tail of a chameleon are perfectly adapted for life in the trees. There is nothing out there in the bush quite like this remarkable lizard.
Another view of the Stick Insect, perfectly camouflaged against a blade of grass. These are the sticks that move, nature's cloak and dagger artists at their finest.
Like an iridescent jewel in the herbage, a glorious Jewel Beetle shines. These small creatures bring a flash of metallic color to the green canvas of the forest.
About The Secret World: Insects, Reptiles & Fungi
You do not need to head into a deep reserve to witness nature's most intricate designs. These images—from the stick insect mimicking a dry leaf to the jewel beetle—were often found in suburban green patches and backyard gardens. It is a lesson in patience; if you stop and watch the monsoon greenery closely, you will find a cast of characters far more complex than any tiger.
The monsoon brings a specific kind of magic to the Indian landscape. While many photographers chase the great cats, I find equal thrill in the smaller, often overlooked citizens of the forest floor.
My process for capturing these 'cloak and dagger' artists involves spending hours in the herbage, observing the movement of insects and the subtle shifts in reptile behavior. This is not about equipment, though a steady hand helps. It is about understanding the life cycle of the fungi that emerge on decaying wood for just a few weeks of the year, or waiting for the chameleon—the Girgit—to adjust its shade to match the surroundings.
Whether it is the Blue Oakleaf butterfly perfectly camouflaged as a withered leaf or the delicate mushrooms that ensure organic richness in the soil, there is an entire, vibrant world here. If you are interested in Indian wildlife photography, learning to spot these tiny subjects is the best way to train your eye. I often teach these field techniques in my photography workshops, showing how to predict behavior rather than just waiting for a lucky shot.
Sunjoy Monga
I am a naturalist first. Before I ever pick up a camera, I am looking for the story—the way a stick insect moves or how a chameleon watches the world. These tiny creatures have as much drama in their lives as any tiger, and it is a privilege to bring their secret world to your attention.
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