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AWAYK3N

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‛ Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known ʼ

― Carl Sagan




I'm Murali Dharan S, a photographer and naturalist from South India. I began my journey in 2017 seeking landscapes to capture. Since then I have found ways to connect with nature—whether by observing the smallest ant or gazing at the stars.



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mikyway mikyway milky blumoon mikywaytree sunset thunder selfiethunder thnderhome


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mantiside toxedroidmantis owlfly butterflywing frog dragonflymidair gecko damselfly horsefly monkey macrovine greenlizard wasp

First Known Photographs of Living Specimen

( This project highlights the first-ever documented images of living species. )


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socialspider tarantula featherlegged gnathapolaystes janula psellonus zexipus crabcouple antlikcrab portiahunt portiahunt socialwebryt

Research Papers

( PECKHAMIA is an international scientific journal dedicated to research of jumping spiders.)

◦ Peckhamia 331.1 A new visual perspective on mimicry by an Indian jumping spider: Harmochirus exaggeratus (Araneae: Salticidae).

◦ Peckhamia 281.1 Courtship display study on a male Stenaelurillus species from Tamil Nadu (Araneae: Salticidae: Aelurillina).

◦ Peckhamia 285.1 Predation on the brood of a theridiid spider by a jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae: Harmochirina: Bianor sp.)

◦ Peckhamia 284.1 Predation on a trap-jaw ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae: Anochetus sp.) by a jumping spider (Araneae: Salticidae: Aelurillini: Langona tigrina).

◦ Peckhamia 276.1 Predation on Stegodyphus (Araneae: Eresidae) by Hyllus semicupreus (Araneae: Salticidae) in Tamil Nadu, India.


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I specialize in Indian jumping spiders. Over years of fieldwork I have documented every dancing spider species in my state.



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owelup swamphen peafowl hornbillflight hunter oriental shrak kingfisher cormorant animepeafowl babbler peafowl

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dolphin shell gull grassfish crabsea snorkelling

Member of UNESCO’s MAB Programme, focused on the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR).



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ˋ In search of spirits cherished by none but the wild ˊ

View awayk3n's observations »




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StoneKeepers

Is one of the story from my book — a glimpse into the kind of stories I’m working on."

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Cost of Seeing Less

A quiet reflection on what disappears when we take everything for granted.

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I also serve as a photography mentor for school students through a government-led Outreach Program.