Winged warriors

Faridpur's wetlands came alive in a flash of wings and water as a Bronze-winged Jacana lunged at an Indian Pond Heron, fiercely defending its vulnerable chicks hidden among the floating leaves. Known locally as "Jol Pipi", jacanas tread delicately across lily pads on impossibly long toes, foraging for insects, snails, and seeds. Pond herons, by contrast, stalk fish, frogs, and other small prey. This charged moment is a portrait of parental instinct -- a reminder that Bangladesh's wetlands are both battleground and sanctuary, where survival plays out in raw, breathtaking drama.