My communications tenure has now fully commenced and every daily encounter with the orangutans of all ages is utterly breathtaking. Due to the strict privacy and photo rules I cannot freely post photos. These photos have been approved and posted by the OFI sites. The photos I will show are ones that have made the cut for the organisation which I have taken during daily releases. I am so lucky to be able to be spending time with this exceptional species and getting to learn about their individual characters and personalities. I hope you enjoy my photography and learn more about the critical condition of these species against extinction.
Holland may be small, but she has already become a confident climber. It also may be the rainy season in Borneo, but sunny mornings like these are perfect opportunities for her to practise and develop her skills in the canopy of the Learning Forest.Orangutan orphans Doris and Holland are the smallest in Pondok Danielle. Together, they are playful companions and brave explorers.
During my time in Bristol, I took the opportunity to visit the Arnolfini Gallery. Daphne Wright’s work particularly caught my eye.
The detail produced for each animal cast was astounding. You can see from one of the photographs I took below, that the fur has been recreated using silk embroidery. It was only when you approached the work extremely close did you realise it was created from this material and not cast from the actual fur of the animal. The first image indicated the size of the work and gives an feel that the monkey is laid on an operating theatre. However the feel is not eerier but instead beautiful – providing a threshold to something new.
The method used to create this cast was as surprising as it was impressive. The monkey is not dead, instead asleep. The cast was created whilst the animal was put under general anaesthetic and aims to allow the observers to ask questions about their concept of presence; petrified in cold matter, in a lifeless white colour the monkey’s presence is here, and not here – a still cast and an immovable ghost.
Whilst visiting Bristol Zoo I came across this juvenile chameleon. I wanted to document it’s incredible physiology and characteristics that allow it t be a truly remarkable tree dweller and climber.
I hope you enjoy the clip and learn something new about this amazing species from the voiceover I narrated!
From spending a large proportion of my life in Mallorca, I have always been blown away by the abundance of nature that surrounds you. You are able to get closer and view spectacular species -acrobatic and elegant wild goats shown here mingle between the harsh thorns and arid terrain of the mountains, whilst dragonflies and weevils are hidden amongst the grass and under rocks.
I think I particularly like this photograph for one main reason; when one thinks of a goat, the image of an a brave, strong individual does not immediately fall to mind. But here, caught in this split second, my photograph illustrates the intensity and acrobatic strength of this individual. He is aware, he understands the land around him – with it’s crumbing dry soil and intense warm days. If instead a different direction had caught my eye, this sight could have been missed entirely, and the moment would have leaped and dissipated into the still afternoon heat..
In the village in which I have spent a great proportion of my childhood, there is a particular field, with a particular part that is most familiar to me.
On a daily basis I will run across the neighbouring fields with the company of Milly my dog, and almost every run will begin through a field which – to many – is home to the ‘eye catcher’.
Milly, September 2016
The name of this folly is most appropriate for it was constructed in 1740 by a landscape designer named William Kent, for the Dormer family to view in the distance from their residency at Rousham Park.
A few weeks ago a photography competition arose in which entrees had to display the eye catcher in any manner they desired. After running around the monument numerous times I was keen to display it firstly on a splendid sunny day, and in two contrasting angles. The first angle was to show the folly in it’s sheer size and intended glory, whist the second I aimed to provide a twist; instead of the ‘eye-catcher’ being the predominant view, it was in fact equally as stunning to use it as a frame and catch a glimpse of the surrounding landscape through the arches.
I am thrilled to say that from this I was awarded 1st Prize in the competition and will have my photography published in the monthly magazine!
It is amazing how many buildings, monuments or objects you can pass day in day out without properly knowing the story behind it. More so is it amazing that an object considered so familiar has the potential to be slightly altered to reveal an entirely new image, meaning and function.
In a society saturated with mobiles, screens and fast-walking and urge you to stop and look around – for who knows what will catch your eye!
The eye-catcher folly, October 2016The eye-catcher view, October 2016
A new study, published in IBIS has shown that drab female birds may in fact be more attractive to males. This is due to the less pigmented females obtaining a greater ability to incubate eggs. Female passerine birds are able to make heat spots on their bodies in order to incubate the eggs – something that males are unable to do. The study suggested a correlation between thermal levels in these brood patches and the plumage of the female barn swallows. Therefore, by males being incapable of heating this area, choosing a mate which is most capable will increase their breeding success.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner: Tim Laman, this incredible shot, captured on a GoPro of the critically endangered Bornean Orangutan.
The winner draws attention to the species through a story told in six images. Each photographs threads together the story of this species fight for survival, as well as each image having exceptional quality of it’s own.
Just over a month till I can begin my input in Borneo! The full exhibition can be found online and at the Natural History Museum until Sept 2017. I am so looking forward to exploring the entire exhibition in Bristol November.
Deya's Animal diaries 