Monday, November 2, 2009 at 1:37PM Title says it all. I am away for roughly 4 weeks photographing polar bears. During this time, for most part, I will be without internet access. Therefore, there probably won't be updates until I return.
On return I will post a few entries on my experiences.
Monday, October 26, 2009 at 6:32PM 
All to often these days folks are in a hurry. Between talking on cell phones, drinking coffee, arguing with kids and partners, and tending pets in vehicles, there seems to be little time to devote to - ah - actually driivng, let alone watching the road for wildlife.
Many native animals are attracted to road verges either to graze on the fresh grass along the side of the road, feed on dead carrion, a result of road kill, or as a natural through fare between one area and another. Whatever the reason, it is paramount when travelling to watch out for wildlife.
Last week I was doing some work in the north of the state and came across this highly threatened Spotted Tiger Quoll ( Dasyurus maculatus maculatus). The Spotted Tiger Quoll is a marsupial cat and inhabits the east coast of Australia and the island state of Tasmania. Its former range in mainland Australia has been drastically reduced due to human influences and Tasmania is one of their last strongholds.
Unfortunately, the quoll in Tasmania is now becoming more difficult to find as population numbers are far less than a decade earlier. Possible reason sited are forestry operations, land clearing, introduction of feral cats, and the reduction of Tasmanian devil numbers (by facial Tumour Disease). Whatever the "true" reason, it's disheartening to find a road killed quoll.
So next time your out and about - keep your eyes peeled and SLOW DOWN for wildlife.
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:53AM 
When the phrase climate change is heard, many people think about large scale effects such as sea level rise or the reduction in the size and thickness of polar ice caps. These occurrences are significant, however, what about the smaller, often hidden, but no less significant events that can and are occurring in many countries. Often these are overlooked.
KELP FORESTS ON THE DECLINE
One problem happening in Tasmania is the reduction of kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera) that used to grace the shores of this island state. When I first dived in Tasmania (2001 thereabouts) you could SCUBA dive through stunningly beautiful kelp forests that were so thick you could loose yourself within them. Despite the aesthetic beauty of the underwater forests, they provided the background template for a thriving marine ecosystem, in addition to being a haven for a variety of marine life, from the small and inconspicuous nudibranch to various fish species and the giant octopus.
Unfortunately this ecosystem is disappearing from Tasmania's coastline at an alarming rate, due to the increase in water temperature. Kelp forests need temperate waters to survive and grow to the size they are (some kelp reaches 20 meters or 60 feet in length). Water temperatures over the last few years have been warmer than usual which has resulted in kelp forests declining in size and abundance.
ENDEMIC SPOTTED HANDFISH THREATENED WITH EXTICTION
The Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsustus) is found in water up to 8 meters deep (24 feet) in the Greater Hobart area. This species is found nowhere else on planet Earth. Its habitat is the sandy stretches of sea bottom that can be found adjacent to some of the headlands and coves along the Derwent River. Habitat destruction due to construction activities and water temperate fluctuations threaten the extinction of this species. The spotted Handfish can only reproduce within a certain water temperature range and an increase in this range causes reproduction to cease. Contemporary scientific research indicates that although river water temperatures fluctuate, overall temperature has been increasing over the last decade which if continued will threaten the survival of this endemic species.
Often the small animals and less "showey" plants are forgotten when discussing climate change. These are but two of the myrid of flora and fauna species that are being currently affected by climate change globally.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6:35PM 
I’ve just spent the last week or so photographically documenting the activities of the Tasmania Government Devil Task Force (DTF) while they have been working on what they call a “Rolling Disease Suppression Line”. This has been in association with The Devi Task Force belonging to Tasmania State Government. It's intended in due course to produce several articles on the team and the devil to raise awareness of the devil's plight in Tasmania.
Devil Task Force Team
The field component of the DTF comprises 3 groups of 3 individuals and each group is 
allocated different areas to work within the state of Tasmania. Each group consists of a Field Zoologist, Field Officer, and a volunteer. Supplemental to this is a separate team comprising two veterinarians.
Through field monitoring (capture & release) the DTF strives to determine the extent and prevalence of Facial Tumour Disease (FTD) within populations of Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus harrisii). Broadly speaking, FTD is more prevalent in eastern populations than western populations and determining which devil populations are affected can assist in the management and quarantine of the disease.
Most of the week involved an early wake up and rendezvous with one of the DTF teams to shadow their activities whilst they checked, cleaned and reset devil traps. Devils captured in traps the evening before (Tasmania Devils are nocturnal) were removed from the trap, weighed and inspected for the FTD before being released. If FTD was suspected or observed a call was made to the roving veterinarian unit who attended the animal to obtain further information for analysis which included a biopsy and blood taking. Each captured devil then had a digital ID chip inserted beneath its skin between the shoulder blades. The chip can be read by a supermarket style scanner gun.
Additional to this process was the collection of information on each captured devil which included sex, sexual maturity, carried young, age and any obvious deformities. The information collected is then collated at a later date and added to a database to assist in the management of disease free devil populations.
DTF personnel work a busy day starting at dawn and only ending after sunset. Up to 20 traps are set along a pre-allocated line within the forest, forest coup or farmland. Much of the work is off the main road and along forest trails and four wheel drive tracks involving the use of four wheel drive vehicles.
Just because you set a trap doesn’t mean you will capture a devil; often traps were left unsprung and at other times they were sprung by other animals such as the Tasmania Tiger Quoll (Dasyurus maculates). In the 5 days I worked with DTF we drove 1700 kilometres (1056 miles) in rain, hail, sleet and sunshine!
Thanks is due to the Devil Task Force Team (Phil, Holly & Anton), Veternarians (Michelle & Kim) and staff administration (Caroline & Kim) for allowing access.
Images top to bottom: Devil Task Force Zoologist Holly Devereaux (Field Officer) releases captured devil, Anton (Volunteer) & Phil (Team Leader) take biopsy for tumour desease, Phil (Zoologist) inspects devil to determine age from teeth.
For further information on the facial tumour disease and the Devil Task Force please go to http://tassiedevil.com.au/
To see a short video of the Tasmania devil taken in the wild, click here to view on U-Tube.
Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 5:28PM 
Things have been quite busy lately. Apart from the time organising the logistics to follow the Tasmania Devil Task Force, I’ve spent 9 days photographing the Komode Black Bear (Ursus americanus kermodei). The Komode black bear is also known as the Spirit Bear and broadly speaking is a black bear with a white coat. The white colouring of the fur is caused by a genetic shift.
I was based on a 72 foot yacht and travelled from Bella Bella to Prince Rupert stopping at one of a few known Spirit Bear locations. The salmon were running and I was able to observe at close quarters several individuals whilst they fished, slept and dined upon salmon. The salmon migrate annually upstream from the ocean to spawn and then die. This "spread of salmon" provides long sort after protein for numerous animals and actually forms the basis for the ecosystem. Although weather conditions were rainy on several days, the low cloud, mist and rain added to the mystic of the bears as they moved along the stream edges in search of salmon.
At one stage I had a Sprit Bear “spirit” himself behind me to come out along the stream only 3 meters (10 feet) from my shooting location – I wonderful experience to be able to see this majestic creature up close and personal. At times like these, unless I am actually shooting, I just stop and watch and take in the experience.
I was hoping to also be able to observe Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles and Pine Martins, however, I failed to observe them in the numbers seen on earlier trips to this area. Despite this, Coastal Brown Bears and inland Brown Bears (Grizzlies) were observed on several occasions along with the Black Bear.
The region in which I was photographing is spectacular; precipitous glacial topped mountains, deep fiords and miles upon upon miles are unlogged virgin temperate rainforest. The float plane which I took from the yacht back to Price Rupert at the completion of my trip, flew over some absolutely amazing scenery - scenery that has to be experienced to be believed. The float plane bush pilots that fly you into some of these areas are some of the best in the world - and when your flying a few meters from rocky outcrops on each side of the wing your glad they know what there doing!
The waters in this area of Canada are exceptionally deep and the bottom drops away to immense depths very close to the shore. The deep water and schools of small fish attract Humpback Whales that are frequently seen breeching and feeding. The deepness of the water is due to the region being glaciated in a past geological epoch.
The image at left was taken in the early morning when there was a low lying fog. We had been in the zodiac patrolling along the stream-ocean verge when we saw a brown bear and cub meandering accross the seaweed beds at low tide. The low lying fog gives the image a sereal look to it and the interaction between the mother bear and cub was wonderful to watch. This bear and its cub worked their way along the seaweed bed searching for slamon on which to feed. The mother was keen on catching some fish, however, the cub just 
wanted to play - after a short time playing the mother bear decided enough is enough and paw swiped the youngster to settle him/her down. Pity I missed that shot! Lesson number one - NEVER stop looking through the viewfinder no matter how cold, miserable and sore you are, because as soon as you do, the action will happen and you will miss it!
The close up of the coastal brown bear was taken from the zodiac about 20 feet from the bear. The bear was more interested in feeding on a salmon he had caught than feeding on me - but with all wild creatures it's best never to get too close as to be within there personal space. As you can see from ther eyes, I was about as close as you can get without actually annoying this fellow - the eye says it all "get closer & I'll get pissed with you"
