professional category
Heart Attack (Single)
DESCRIPTION
This rare photograph captures a Salmotoma fish leaping to ambush mating damselflies in their heart-shaped “wheel” formation at Sweetwater Lake, Dharur, Maharashtra. Shot entirely in manual focus over six challenging months, it demanded battling shifting light, elusive subjects, and long days immersed in the lake—facing insect bites and snakes. The fish often missed due to refraction, making the decisive moment almost impossible to predict. In the end, perseverance, patience, and a bit of luck aligned to reveal a never-before-documented behavior in a single, unforgettable frame.
AUTHOR
I am Vinod Patil, fondly known as Baiju, and for the past three decades I have dedicated my life to
exploring forests, documenting wildlife, and using my camera as a tool for conservation. Nature has
always been my true home—the call of birds, the silence of the jungle, and the raw beauty of wild
landscapes fuel my passion every day. My journey has been blessed with many honours. I am the only
photographer to have won the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year title three times. In
2018, I received the DJ Memorial International Award, and my tiger photographs were later exhibited
at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Representing India at the FIAP World Cup in Serbia (2017) and
winning the Gold Medal was one of my proudest moments. In 2015, the UK recognised me as the
International Garden Photographer of the Year. To date, I have received more than 32 national and
international awards, including recognition from National Geographic, Europe, the UK, and Australia.
In 2010, I published my coffee-table book “Wildscapes”, which was launched by the Governor of
Maharashtra in the presence of Shri Mukesh Ambani. Beyond awards, I take pride in mentoring young
photographers, training them
exploring forests, documenting wildlife, and using my camera as a tool for conservation. Nature has
always been my true home—the call of birds, the silence of the jungle, and the raw beauty of wild
landscapes fuel my passion every day. My journey has been blessed with many honours. I am the only
photographer to have won the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year title three times. In
2018, I received the DJ Memorial International Award, and my tiger photographs were later exhibited
at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Representing India at the FIAP World Cup in Serbia (2017) and
winning the Gold Medal was one of my proudest moments. In 2015, the UK recognised me as the
International Garden Photographer of the Year. To date, I have received more than 32 national and
international awards, including recognition from National Geographic, Europe, the UK, and Australia.
In 2010, I published my coffee-table book “Wildscapes”, which was launched by the Governor of
Maharashtra in the presence of Shri Mukesh Ambani. Beyond awards, I take pride in mentoring young
photographers, training them
back to gallery