Amidst the diamond-studded night sky, high grasslands, short-canopied forests, mountain slopes and tea plantations lies a unique ecosystem that hides special denizens in the Western Ghats. National Geographic Photographer & Explorer Prasenjeet Yadav takes on an expedition to #UncoverTheEpic with the incredible Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra into the sky islands.
Follow him on his quest to capture the glorious and stunning endemic wildlife visible only to those who seek it. With Samsung’s dynamic camera, Prasenjeet Yadav doesn’t miss a single moment capturing glistening spider webs, tiny red-eyed Beddome’s bush frog, Gunther’s vine snake or even a dramatic pursuit of some boisterous macaques for a Nat Geo Traveller-worthy cover shot.
The lion-tailed macaque is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. In Tamil Nadu’s Valparai region, this usually elusive primate has become so accustomed to tourists that it wouldn’t hesitate to flag vehicles down and demand treats.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
As the first light of day falls on the mountains near the top station in Munnar, the mist in the valley highlights the geographic barrier between them.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Mode 108 MP
The sky islands of the Western Ghats are a mosaic of shola forests, grasslands, and commercial plantations like tea, coffee, and timber.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Ultra Wide Mode
Large scaled pit viper is a venomous snake found only on the high elevations of the Western Ghats of India. It’s typically an ambush hunter and feeds on small lizards and frogs.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Mode
The Anaimalai spiny lizard, found in high-elevation shola grasslands, is named after the Anaimalai hills.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Mode
A perfect dewy spider web is spotted early in the morning.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Macro Mode
Grasslands are a special habitat full of species that have evolved to be to able to live in the open.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Mode
Nights in the remote sky islands put up spectacular star-studded shows.
Captured with Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Pro Mode: Long Exposure
Text by Aathira Perinchery
Photographs by Prasenjeet Yadav
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