Although the leopard-frequented forest could be ‘terrifying’, it was the perfect place for Aishwarya to look for fireflies. After two hours of hiking, she found a tree dusted in gold from the bioluminescence of thousands of fireflies. Shooting 27 images over a 24-second exposure and combining them using focusstacking software, she highlighted the vibrancy of this scene.
Fireflies are a type of winged beetle that use light to lure potential mates. Of the many species, each has a distinct pattern and intensity of light in order to recognise its own kind. Fireflies are affected globally by habitat destruction and light pollution, which can make them lose track of time and position, disrupt their mating or even blind them.
India
Aishwarya is a wildlife photographer, presenter and filmmaker from India. Her work has been in publications such as BBC Wildlife, The Guardian, Sanctuary Asia, Mongabay, Saevus and The Times of India. In 2019 she received the Diana Award for her efforts in wetland conservation. Her photographs tell stories of the wild and she hopes to spread awareness through images and film.
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