Gnarly

Canon 100mm 1:2.8  ISO 125   f/2.8   1/200 sec

I chose to take this in black and white because although the bark was a nice shade of brown I think the textures of this gnarly truck look more effective in monochrome.

Just in case you are wondering what species of tree this is I can tell you...

It is a Metasequoia glyptostroboides  also known as the Dawn Redwood it is a fast growing deciduous conifer which is endangered and apparently the only living species of the genus Metasequoia. It was too early in the season to get a good idea of how it looks in full foliage but I think the bark makes a great image.

Just Hanging Around

There is something funky about these Silvery Gibbons and watching them swing their way around the massive enclosure was totally awesome. They move so effortlessly and climb to the top of the trees chasing each other around.

Yesterday with the pictures of the Sumatran Orangutan I was struck by the sadness of seeing them in the zoo when their numbers are declining due to the impact of humans on their environment and after I posted it I wondered whether I had been too negative. Today however posting these pictures and doing just a little research about the Silvery Gibbon I wonder whether I didn't go far enough. I didn't start this blog to make comment about the world or humanity, primarily it is about the photography but the natural world and wildlife photography is so important to me and every now and then some of the pictures I take give me cause to think more about issues beyond the picture.

These Gibbons are really cute and amazing but they are incredibly rare, it is thought that there are just 2,500 remaining in their natural home in Java, the only place on this planet where they can be found in the wild. They're endangered because of the activities of mankind which has caused the destruction of 96% of their natural habitat. As if that wasn't enough they face a further threat from the illegal trade in wildlife because babies are captured and sold off as pets.

I don't want to be negative, I want people to appreciate these beautiful creatures, I want people to enjoy my photography and hopefully I will achieve that but as a race we really need to clean up our act and value this world and all it offers.

A Jungle V.I.P.

The Sumatran Orangutan really is a jungle V.I.P. 

It is one of three species of orangutans and they are critically endangered with the population in serious decline due to the relentless destruction of Sumatra's rain-forest.

At dinner tonight I asked everyone if they could choose to see any sight in the world what would it be, when it came to my turn I said that it would be to go and see orangutans living in the wild. I think that would be an amazing experience but the opportunity to do so is becoming ever more remote. I hadn't planned on posting this picture today but after my dinner time conversation it seems fitting to do so.

I was going to try and find something funny to comment about both of these pictures but I don't know about you but to me the orangutan in my first picture looks pretty sad, or fed up and the youngster in the second shot looks bored and while I love these pictures I couldn't find anything funny to say.

We are blessed to live in such a beautiful world with such diversity, it is sad that as a species we do so much to damage the world and harm its helpless inhabitants. I am glad to have had the chance to photograph these creatures at Chester Zoo, the conservation work they do there is so very important but wouldn't it be so much better if we didn't need places like zoos. 

Red Panda

One of my favourite mammals; the Red Panda. 

OK it may be a bit cliche because they are just so cute but they really are beautiful and whenever I visit Chester Zoo I am drawn to see them. 

I love this shot, I think the lighting is spot on with the sun coming in from the right and the shaded areas helping to frame the panda as it was trotting towards me.

Cuteness Redefined

I think this is undoubtedly one of the cutest creatures ever. It is a Phillipines Mouse Deer. Its body is about the size of a rugby ball (or American football) and it lives in the undergrowth on the forest floor. Unfortunately the available light was really poor so I have had to use a high ISO so the pictures are quite soft and grainy but although I would like to have a better image to share I couldn't not share these with you. They are an endangered species so it was great to be able to see these today.

Painted Lady

When you saw the title for today's post did you expect to see pictures of butterflies? 

Well although the pictures don't show butterflies I hope you are not disappointed by these shots of African Painted Dogs.

You can see from the picture above and from the two below that the name is well deserved

Cute and cuddly they're not but they are quite stunning creatures. They are also known as the Cape Hunting Dog but I think Painted Dog suits them better. They are an endangered species with less than 5,500 still in the wild. This is why the conservation breeding program at places like Chester Zoo is so important

Fratercula arctica

I have rather a lot of photos of the Atlantic Puffins on Skomer, well with so many to see it would have been rude not to take them, and it is tempting now to post them all over the next week. 

However I don't want to overload you so after today I will change things and for a day or two I will post a few different subjects.  You can be sure however that because I am so pleased to have such wonderful images of these wonderful birds I will definitely be choosing some more puffin pictures for you.

As I said yesterday this trip was the fulfillment of a long held ambition and getting up close to some of these birds (less than a metre away in some cases) was actually quite an emotional experience for me. Call me soft if you like but I know I was not the only one affected in this way. While taking this group of pictures I was talking to a Polish photographer who also quite clearly couldn't believe that he was there, and he was almost rooted to the spot. There is really something magical about the Puffin.

A Firm Favourite

Yesterday I promised that I had a real treat in store for today, and I defy you to say that I have let you down...

A couple of weeks ago I got to visit Skomer an island bird reserve in Pembrokeshire, managed by The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. It is only accessible for a few hours per day and visitor numbers are limited to a maximum of 250 people per day. It is a short boat ride from Martins Haven to the island and then a steep climb from the landing point to what is a wonderful home to colonies of seabirds and many other species of birds. On the day I visited there were only about 100 visitors to the island and it felt like a real privilege to be there. I enjoyed speaking to other photographers (about the birds and about kit) and to some of the warden volunteers whose knowledge really added something to the experience. 

I was especially keen to visit to see the Puffins that were breeding on the island and to be able to get up so close to these iconic birds was a bit of a bucket list item for me. Puffins are on the international Red List of Endangered Species and with decreasing populations they are vulnerable to extinction; although seeing the numbers on Skomer in their burrows, on the cliffs, in the air and on the water it is hard to imagine their total demise. It underlines the importance of places like Skomer where they  enjoy a degree of protection.

So for today I hope you enjoy the three pictures above. I really love them and in the coming days I will share some more. I have pictures of several of the other species from around the island too, and even some landscape shots to share so make sure you come back to see.

By The Waterside

Bush Dogs and Otters for your pleasure today. 

I have always liked otters and it has been an ambition of mine to see them in the wild ever since I read the book Ring Of Bright Water as a child.  I once caught a glimpse of one swimming in Strasbourg but it was a fleeting glimpse and doesn't really count and I hope that at some point in the near future I will spot one and have enough time to capture a shot or two. In the meantime this picture of three Giant Otters basking in the winter sun at Chester Zoo will have to do.

I also really like the Bush Dogs in the first two pictures. They nest in burrows and seem to spend a fair bit of time underground so it was a treat to see them running around and pausing to take a drink from the pool.  

Exotic Birds

The first of today's birds is a Cassowary.  According to the Guinness Book of Records it is not just exotic it is The Most Dangerous Bird...In The World! It is also extremely difficult to keep in Zoos because apparently they are so aggressive and the keepers get hurt. This particular specimen was quite agitated and always on the move so quite tricky to get a clear shot. It's also not a very pretty bird but it is quite interesting.

The third shot is of a stunning Bali Starling which like the Cassowary it is a critically endangered species but unlike the Cassowary is both beautiful and gentle natured.

Here's Looking At You...

I love cats, I love big cats even more and so getting these shots of the Sumatran Tiger at Chester Zoo I was really happy. Since my last visit to the zoo the tigers have been moved into a new enclosure which is spacious and nicely landscaped and fortunately on Saturday the sun was shining and so this lovely creature was soaking up as much warmth as possible and it was easy to get a good view.

I would love to be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat but given my lack of funds and the fact that they are critically endangered in the wild means that that will never happen so I will take advantage of the conservation work at Chester.