When Keyur Bhatt, an electrical engineer turned photographer, visited Keoladeo National Park (also called Ghana locally) in Rajasthan, he was naturally drawn to its most striking features — vast wetlands and the thousands of migratory birds that arrive each winter to feed and breed. But one accidental photograph stayed with him — not of a bird or a mammal, but something more subtle. Marked by intricate patterns and colours, it revealed an often-overlooked yet vital part of the park’s ecosystem — algae. “I started wondering why birds come here. It’s because the wetland has ample food and nesting materials. Insects, invertebrates, and birds feed on algae. I wanted to document this ignored piece of the puzzle,” he says. One night, Bhatt went down a rabbit hole of research and discovered that Keoladeo has a rich diversity of algae. The park hosts at least 22 species of algae under five taxonomical families, which form the foundation of the wetland’s food chain.
Algae are simple green organisms capable of photosynthesis – but they are not plants. They thrive in diverse damp environments — from oceans to hot springs and even on ice. In wetlands, apart from forming the base of the food chain, they play the crucial role of filtering waste and pumping the waterbody with essential nutrients. Since they depend primarily on photosynthesis to produce food, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the air and the water as a byproduct.
“I love textures and patterns. When I took that first shot, I was amazed by the beauty it captured — the story built itself from there,” Bhatt shares. Interested in macro photography, Bhatt had often photographed frogs and insects but had never focused on something so minuscule. Algae offered him an opportunity to get creative. Algae form intricate patterns that may not be visible to the naked eye but come alive under the close observation of a macro lens. When they bloom, they create mosaic-like textures in different shades of green. These patterns have inspired not only Bhatt but a wide range of photographers and designers across the world.
Yet capturing something as omnipresent and invisible as algae came with challenges.
Built over 250 years ago by Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur, the man-made wetland of Keoladeo was designed as a reservoir to provide water to surrounding areas. It also functioned as a hunting ground for the royal family. By intentionally maintaining water at different depths, the wetland provided distinct habitats suited to a variety of birds. Today, the wetland is divided into different blocks, each with a different-sized waterbody. These conditions, unique to each block, are great habitats for a diversity of algae to grow.
“I wanted to start the photo story with an image that showed the connection of the algae with its ecosystem,” says Bhatt. “I also liked the textures in the image and the play of light that this frame showed. It set the tone for my photo essay.”
“For the final photograph of the essay, I wanted to zoom out and capture the interconnectedness of algae with the park’s other inhabitants like trees and birds, and everything it sustains,” says Bhatt. Often overlooked, algae are vital to the park’s health. Without them, the ecosystem would unravel. Beyond the park, algae play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and absorbing carbon dioxide — an unsung hero in balancing the global climate.
“Working on this photo essay has sharpened my awareness — now, even after returning, I find myself noticing the tiniest patterns on a leaf, imagining an image, and questioning what I see. It has deepened my appreciation for small things,” he says. This photo essay is Bhatt’s ode to the small but spectacular.
About the contributors
Radhika Raj
is a features writer with Roundglass Sustain. When she is not chasing stories, she is busy fantasizing about building a pottery studio in the hills
Keyur Bhatt
is an engineer turned photographer. He is especially interested in capturing forms and shapes of nature. Other than nature photograpy, his expertise lies in product photography, interior architecture photography and printing. His work has been exhibited in NCPA - Mumbai, Embassy of Switzerland and Pune Film Festival. He is also an organising committee member of Nation Photography Festival, Ahmedabad.
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