Guwahati: Nature photographer Bidyut Kalita from Assam’s Goalpara has brought international recognition to the state by winning the Macro Category at the 36th Memorial María Luisa International Mountain, Nature and Adventure Photography Contest in Spain, one of the world’s most respected nature photography competitions.
The prestigious contest, named after Spanish mountaineer María Luisa Álvarez Álvarez, celebrates photography related to mountains, nature, and adventure. She died in a mountain accident in 1990, and the competition was later established in her memory.
This year’s edition received 18,059 photographs from 78 countries, reflecting the scale and competitiveness of the global event.
A striking macro photograph titled “The Flying Engineer” by Bidyut Kalita captures a potter wasp in mid-flight carrying a caterpillar for its young, a behaviour rarely documented with such clarity.
Sharing his excitement, Kalita described the recognition as a deeply emotional milestone.
“From observing tiny subjects around my home in Assam to standing recognized on a global stage, this journey feels surreal,” he said.
Kalita said the award reflects years of patience and passion for documenting the small wonders of nature.
“This recognition proves that even the smallest stories, when told with honesty and dedication, can travel across continents,” he said.
He also dedicated the achievement to his roots and to aspiring creators from smaller towns.
“This achievement belongs not just to me, but to my roots, to Assam, to every small-town dreamer who believes that passion can overcome distance,” he said.
The Memorial María Luisa contest honours photography connected with mountains, nature, and adventure. The overall winner receives the Golden Asturcon Award, along with €3,000, a trophy, and a diploma.
Kalita has also been recognised on other major international platforms. He had earlier earned global recognition at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025, organised by the Natural History Museum.
His image of a potter wasp captured in mid-flight carrying a caterpillar for its young was highly commended in the Invertebrate Behaviour category, placing him among some of the world’s leading nature photographers.
His growing list of international accolades continues to highlight the presence of Assam’s emerging nature photographers on the global stage.