Since childhood, Ajar Setiadi has been interested in the secret lives of wild animals and reptiles that live near his home in Bogor, Indonesia. This passion prompted him to pick up a camera years ago in an attempt to document the unique snakes, frogs, lizards, birds and insects he had spent hours observing.
And after so much time behind the lens, he’s developed a knack for capturing these secret little animals in emotional, almost human moments. When it rains, Setiadi likes to watch white tree frogs, also called plump tree frogs, shelter under the vegetation.
In February, he was outside during a storm when he noticed a frog seemed to be kindly protecting another from the elements by seeking shelter under an umbrella of flowers.
He took a picture and immediately knew that this moment was something special. “I was only able to take a few images because this moment cannot be repeated,” Setiadi recounted.
Capturing these magical interactions takes a lot of patience, but for Setiadi, it’s always worth it. „I let the animals act,“ Setiadi said. “I’m just waiting for the best moment”.
And Setiadi doesn’t hesitate to get a little wet if it allows him to see nature at its best.
