The delicate beauty of hummingbirds, their incredible movement, and the critical work they do as pollinators are all captured in a new photography exhibit at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces.

“Grace in Motion” features photography by Nirmal Khandan. The show opens with a reception from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on April 15 in the Museum’s Arts Corridor. Admission to the opening reception is free. Regular Museum admission is required to see the rest of the Museum. The show continues through July 29, 2023.

“As a nature/wildlife photographer, I have been sharing with my family, friends, and social media the joy and pleasure of creating photographs of hummingbirds,” said Khandan. “Through this print exhibit, I hope to share my photography with wider audiences fascinated by hummingbirds and their aerial acrobatics.”

The exhibit features 36 portraits of hummingbird species common to the region interacting with local flora. The photographs, mounted on acrylic, metal, or canvas, are for sale and Khandan said the names of those who purchase one of the prints at the reception will be put into a drawing to receive $25 off their purchase. He will draw two names.

“I hope viewers will appreciate the up-close view of nature’s mutualism as the hummingbirds take just what they need from the flowers without harming them in any way, while helping them with pollination,” Khandan said.

A civil engineering professor and Ed & Harold Foreman Endowed Chair at New Mexico State University, Khandan began photographing birds in his native Sri Lanka and continued his hobby after moving to Las Cruces in 1998.

While Khandan’s technical expertise and talent in composition are evident, there’s much more to his work. Through this exhibit, he also hopes to raise public awareness about the valuable ecosystem services that hummingbirds provide through pollination.