Weaver Ants, a closer look, photo essay by Suraj Bhakat

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Every new day brings the same routine challenges, that they are pretty well equipped to handle. Setting off for their daily adventures.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 The colonies work in different teams, some dedicated to collect foods, some for making homes and some to guard their eggs. They move around the region, manouvering over unmanagable terrain, beating all odds, to survive. — The colonies work in different teams, some dedicated to collect foods, some for making homes and some to guard their eggs. They move around the region, manouvering over unmanagable terrain, beating all odds, to survive.

Weaver Ants, a closer look, photo essay by Suraj Bhakat

[T]his is a short excerpt from a society that thrives right under our noses, weaver ants, and the struggles they have to face in order to sustain their race. They teach us about unity, about perseverance and about harmony. Weaver ants are obligately arboreal, they build nests from tree leaves, they bend down four leaves broader than a man’s hand and place them in an orientation that requires the force of a thousand ants, holding down such a leaf, each drawing down with all his might and the others fasten the joints to build a spacious nest.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Weaver ants, a section of the society works all day to build homes that are made by stitching leaves together in an intricate manner so as to protect the eggs and the ants. — Weaver ants, a section of the society works all day to build homes that are made by stitching leaves together in an intricate manner so as to protect the eggs and the ants.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 An ant, intrgued by the presence of a new visitor who was trying to get an insight of their lives — An ant, intrgued by the presence of a new visitor who was trying to get an insight of their lives.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 A successfully crafted nest for the masses. They weave using larval silk and are generally arboreal in nature. — A successfully crafted nest for the masses. They weave using larval silk and are generally arboreal in nature.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 The nest is made, the task at hand is to collect food for everyone. — The nest is made, the task at hand is to collect food for everyone.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Ant-mimicking Spiders mimic ants and stay in their colony, in complete camouflage to protect itself — Ant-mimicking Spiders mimic ants and stay in their colony, in complete camouflage to protect itself.

There is division of labour where the healthier ones look for food in the surrounding region and feeding millions of mandibles is not an easy job! I observed an ant carrying a spider up to its nest on top of a tree, surpassing several obstacles on the ground all by itself is an important life lesson. There are clashes between different groups over food. If you have food and you belong to a different colony, be prepared to face resistance where majority win is generally observed. The food that reaches a nest is shared by all. “There is joy in sharing”, they yell at us. (Suraj Bhakat)

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 The ants wander in small groups , looking for food. — The ants wander in small groups , looking for food.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Success ! An ant manages to get a spider but has to struggle a lot to take it on top of a tree to their nest. The struggle is every bit worth the prize. — Success ! An ant manages to get a spider but has to struggle a lot to take it on top of a tree to their nest. The struggle is every bit worth the prize.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Who doesn't like being photographed? — Who doesn’t like being photographed?

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 Sometimes they have to fight members of other colonies for food, the side with more soldiers wins — Sometimes they have to fight members of other colonies for food, the side with more soldiers win.

KOLKATA, INDIA -MAY 2016 What is more satisfying than relishing a sumptuous meal with friends !! — What is more satisfying than relishing a sumptuous meal with friends!

Q&A with Suraj Bhakat

Photography is…
Photography is an escape route. The immense joy I derive from taking photographs helps me release a lot of pressure. This is one of the most important reasons why I am interested in this art form.

Photography and writing…
Photography and writing are two different forms of expression, their symbiosis is not always required, specially when photographs need not be documented.
Texts help align the viewer’s thought process with that of the photographer’s which is very important when reportage and/or documentary is involved. For any other form of photography, the interpretation should be left for the viewers, that’s another beauty how multiple interpretations can be made of the same photograph.

Who left the biggest impression on you?
My parents always encourage me to pursue something that keeps me spiritually alive and they have been my constant support system, without any doubt, my parents impress me the most. My father had an affinity towards photography that I have inherited and I want to make him proud one day!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers?
I would like to request everyone to take up photography for the pleasures one can get from it as the primary objective.
The massive adrenaline rush one gets after having created something beautiful and meaningful is beyond comparison.
We all like recognition, but before rushing into the rat race, we must promise ourselves to never let go of the desire to create something that makes us happy.