From bronze, chrome, and silicone, Marc Quinn’s larger-than-life botanicals emerge with delicate precision. The exhibition Light into Life at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London continues the artist’s exploration of the boundaries between the natural and artificial, the living and non-living, sexuality, and the passage of time.
Quinn often uses a mirrored effect to literally reflect humanity in nature while blurring the lines between the work and its surroundings. In others, he emphasizes the heft, history, and scale possible with bronze. For example, “Held by Desire (The Dimensions of Freedom)” and “Burning Desire” tap into the metaphorical association of flowers to human biology and anatomy, their titles emphasizing emotional parallels, like the precise tension of a carefully-tended bonsai or the supple petals of a red, sensual orchid with yearning.
Orchids, bonsai, and tropical flowers provide the starting point for Quinn’s remarkable sculptures that emphasize permanence and in a realm that relies on the opposite: changing seasons, weather patterns, and visiting pollinators. He confronts the ephemerality of blossoms and leaves by casting their likenesses at a monumental scale in metal, freezing blooms to preserve the zenith of their beauty, or immersing entire bouquets in silicone oil to indefinitely sustain their vibrancy.
Light into Life continues through September 29. Explore more of the artist’s work on his website.
“Held by Desire (The Dimensions of Freedom)” (2017-2018). Photo by Ines Stuart-Davidson
“Light into Life (Photosynthetic Form)” (2023)
“Burning Desire” (2011)
“Eternal Spring (Cultural Evolution)”
“Light into Life (The Release of Oxygen)” (2023)
“Human Nature” (2024)
“Event Horizon (Sabal)” (2024). Photo by Ines Stuart- Davidson
In addition to our conservation travel partnership with World Wildlife Fund established in 2003, Natural Habitat Adventures also supports various philanthropic initiatives in the destinations we visit. Our commitment to conservation and sustainable development inspires our leadership role in boosting grassroots efforts in places our guests have come to know and love. We actively pursue innovative efforts to protect the environment and promote the welfare of local communities.
FortWhyte Alive’s Arctic Science Day
$2,500
FortWhyte Alive, an extraordinary educational institution, creates fantastic opportunities for science learning in Winnipeg. Their Arctic Science Day program in early March 2024 brought in researchers and graduate students from the University of Manitoba’s Center for Earth Observation Science to share up-to-date findings on Arctic ecology and climate change research with middle and high school students. Thanks to sponsorship from Nat Hab and others, the Arctic Science Day workshop was free of charge, hosted nearly 500 students and was considered a resounding success. “There’s a bunch of jobs and careers related to Arctic science and it is a very meaningful career for this generation,” said one participant.
Wildlife Madagascar aims to strengthen law enforcement and biological monitoring throughout remote regions of Madagascar—one of the planet’s biodiversity hotspots. The current project focused on the Anjanaharibe-Sud Special Reserve (ASSR). It was chosen because of its still unknown and relatively unresearched flora and fauna, with dozens of undiscovered species likely found here and nowhere else on Earth. The close proximity of villages to park boundaries and the heavily traveled national road that bisects the protected area make ASSR susceptible to illegal activities, including logging, artisanal mining andhunting. Thus, a collaborative patrol system was set up between Wildlife Madagascar Forest Rangers, Madagascar National Park agents, and various community liaisons. Nat Hab Philanthropy funding provided special gear necessary for extensive patrols, including boots, tents and rain gear.
Indris lemur
Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife
$2,500
Kangaroo Island is flourishing once again after devasting bushfires ran rampant in 2020. The Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife program performs biodiversity monitoring using wildlife cameras deployed along drift lines within habitats of interest or significance. Every 8-10 weeks, Land for Wildlife field ecologists and private conservation landholders visit monitoring sites to maintain drift lines, check cameras, change batteries and download SD cards. Scientists have collected four years of post-wildfire data and wildlife images, increasing our understanding of animal behavior and helping conservationists identify and strategically control threats to native species. Nat Hab Philanthropy funds went directly to supporting monitoring efforts through the purchase of trail cameras, SD cards and other equipment needed to protect Kangaroo Island’s endangered endemic wildlife as natural habitats recover.
As pumas continue their fantastic rebound in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, human-wildlife conflict is rising. Ensuring pumas’ long-term viability relies primarily on minimizing contact between these wild cats and livestock. A major goal of the Cerro Guido Foundation is to provide technical and management solutions to local farmers to minimize the deaths of domestic livestock and thus avoid puma hunting. Nat Hab Philanthropy funding to purchase ten deterrent lights and three camera traps.
The Library for Galapagos (Biblioteca para Galapagos) is the first communal library open to the public in the Galapagos Islands. Located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, it serves as a vibrant community space and has earned recognition in Ecuador as an example of library best practices under the umbrella of the Programa Iberbibliotecas. The library is run by the Association of Interpreter Guides of the Galapagos National Park (AGIPA), a legally constituted nonprofit organization ascribed to the Environment and Water Ministry. Collaborators include the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos Conservancy. A public library is essential to Santa Cruz Island, which has approximately 20,000 inhabitants and 11 schools. It provides the space and information to develop cultural, educational and leisure activities, including Internet access and recreation for all ages and groups. With 3,521 visitors in 2023, community members of all ages benefited from 94 workshops, while 2,214 locals made use of the reading and consultation rooms.
In honor of World Chimpanzee Day on July 14, here are five trailblazing women who evolved the field of primatology and have played a critical role in the conservation of great apes.
Jane Goodall
Dr. Jane Goodall’s long-term study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania led her to worldwide acclaim. Beginning in July of 1960, at the age of 26, she traveled from England to live among the Kasakela chimpanzee troop in the rainforests of Gombe Stream National Park. With little more than a notebook and binoculars in hand, her observations led to many notable discoveries, including that chimpanzees make and use tools, considered one of the greatest achievements of twentieth-century scholarship. The famed primatologist and anthropologist has dedicated her life to the conservation of these great apes, advocating for ecological preservation through The Jane Goodall Institute. Through nearly 60 years of inspiring work and advocacy, she serves as a conservation heroine for millions and has empowered young girls across the globe to become a voice for wildlife, including this author. Nat Hab travelers visit Greystoke Mahale in Tanzania, a permanent research center established in 1965 on the shores of sapphire-blue Lake Tanganyika as an extension of Jane Goodall’s work with chimpanzees just north at Gombe Stream.
Birute Galdikas
Dr. Birute Galdikas is the world’s foremost authority on orangutans. Her pioneering fieldwork in Borneo’s rainforests began in the early 1970s and has lasted for over 40 years, making it one of the lengthiest continuous studies of a mammal ever conducted. Galdikas transformed our understanding of these enigmatic primates, the least understood of the great apes at the time, revealing not just their social structures and ecological roles, but also their emotional depth. Growing up, she was inspired by Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, and would later join their ranks as one of the “Trimates,” the founding mothers of contemporary field primatology. As he had done for Goodall and Fossey, paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey helped Galdikas set up her research camp with funding from the National Geographic Society. At the age of 25, amid the iridescent greens of Tanjung Puting Reserve near the edge of the Java Sea, she began her field studies, gaining valuable insights into orangutan behavior and diet.
Galdikas’s conservation efforts extend beyond advocacy, largely focusing on the rehabilitation of orangutans orphaned by deforestation and the illegal pet trade. In 1986, she founded Orangutan Foundation International to help save orangutans and preserve rainforests around the world. Travelers on Nat Hab’s Borneo adventure seek out orangutans and learn about their conservation at Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and Danum Valley Conservation Area.
Patricia Wright
Dr. Patricia Wright’s work with lemurs has illuminated the intricate world of these unique primates and their critical role in the ecosystems of Madagascar. With a career spanning decades, Wright has gone beyond mere observation to actively champion the conservation of these at-risk species and their rapidly diminishing habitats. Her initiatives have not only advanced scientific understanding but have catalyzed real-world conservation efforts, including the establishment of Ranomafana National Park in 1991, following her discovery of the critically endangered golden bamboo lemur in 1986. During a primatology course in college, this author had the opportunity to meet Wright, who spoke about her life’s work studying the social interactions of wild lemurs and her commitment to conservation in Madagascar.
Nat Hab travelers visit Ranomafana during their Madagascar Wildlife Adventure, taking guided hikes in search of the 12 species of lemurs that reside there. Near the entrance of the national park is Center ValBio, Madagascar’s leading field research center run by Wright. Her work serves as a poignant reminder that the fate of lemurs is a bellwether for the health of our planet, linking the well-being of a single species to the broader tapestry of global biodiversity.
Dian Fossey
Dian Fossey’s groundbreaking work with mountain gorillas redefined our perception of these majestic creatures. Surrounded by the misty jungle-draped volcanoes of Rwanda, Fossey shattered barriers to form an unbreakable bond with the largest of the great apes, unraveling the intricacies of their social dynamics and shedding light on their vulnerability to human activities such as deforestation and poaching. Although Fossey’s life was cut short, her work continues through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the world’s leading conservation organization dedicated to the protection of mountain gorillas.
Travelers on Nat Hab’s Ultimate Gorilla Safari trek to see mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, where Dian Fossey made her discoveries. Several habituated gorilla families live in the park, and we learn how vital our ecotourism presence is to their survival before trekking in search of them.
Claudine André
Claudine André’s revolutionary work with bonobos has reshaped our understanding of these endangered primates who share 98.7% of our DNA. André’s extraordinary efforts include establishing Friends of Bonobos, the world’s only bonobo sanctuary and rewilding program, providing a safe haven to young bonobos orphaned by bushmeat hunting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her compassionate bond with these intelligent beings has unveiled the depths of their emotional complexity, showcasing their capacity for empathy and cooperation. Claudine’s message for today’s young conservationists? “You must never lose hope, because there is always a solution.”
Conservation Travel & Women in the Wild
As World Wildlife Fund’s conservation travel partner, Natural Habitat Adventures offers nature expeditions to observe endangered primates around the world, including orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees and lemurs. Conservation travel imbues value to these natural habitats, bringing economic resources to local communities and inspiring them to protect wild places and the wildlife that thrives within them.
Interested in a nature encounter exclusively in the company of women and led by outstanding women naturalist guides? Our Women in the Wild series offers the chance to learn about intrepid women who have long been leaders in science, global exploration and environmental protection. Empowering women begins with sharing their stories. And there’s no better context in which to show and tell those stories than by taking inquisitive women travelers into settings where they can learn about women’s accomplishments and conservation achievements in the nature destinations we visit.
The last two living northern white rhinos in the world, females named Najin and Fatu, live under armed guard at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. They are the final survivors of a subspecies driven to the brink of extinction due primarily to what WWF refers to as rampant poaching for rhino horn.
However, scientists and conservationists have not stopped efforts to revive northern white rhinos.
On the contrary, on April 9, 2024, New Scientist published an article about scientists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance who are using frozen skin cells from 12 northern white rhinos to potentially save the subspecies from extinction.
There is enough genetic material to generate sperm and egg cells from these skin cells, which could then be turned into embryos. The embryos could be carried by closely related southern white rhino females. A simulated model suggests that this could result in a healthy, genetically diverse population of northern white rhinos within ten generations.
Can conservationists revive the northern white rhino when only two living individuals remain?
2000-4000 year-old rock painting of a rhino, Spikzkoppe, Namibia.
Rhinoceros from Prehistoric to Present
Rhinos are some of the most unique herbivores on the planet, with their story dating back around 50 million years. Their predecessors first appeared shortly after the dinosaurs and long before humans. Prehistoric rhinos also walked the Earth long before elephants, meaning they were once the largest land mammals on the planet.
Rhinos belong to a group of animals called perissodactyls, or odd-toed ungulates, which also include horses, zebras and tapirs. Rhinos as we know them today first appeared in the fossil record about 40 million years ago. Their ancestors emerged in what is now known as India.
Today, rhinos are the world’s second-largest land mammal, after elephants, and can weigh more than two tons. They are also among the oldest mammals on Earth.
Rock painting by the Indigenous San people depicting rhinos, Drakensberg mountains, South Africa.
Yet this mighty, enduring beast is threatened with extinction as poaching has decimated its numbers in the past century.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that for World Rhino Day on September 22, 2023, African authorities estimated that there were 23,290 rhinos across the continent at the end of 2022, 5.2% more than in 2021. Poaching continues though, with at least 561 rhinos illegally killed across the continent during 2022.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission’s African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) reported that there are now an estimated 16,803 white rhinos—marking the first increase for the species in over a decade. All but two—Najin and Fatu—are southern white rhinos.
According to WWF, the overwhelming majority (98.8%) of the southern white rhinos occur in just four countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya. southern white rhinos were thought to be extinct in the late 19th century, but in 1895 a small population of fewer than 100 individuals was discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.
The southern white rhino population has rebounded from as few as 50 individuals in the early 20th century and is now relatively strong, thanks to conservation efforts. After more than a century of protection and management, they are now classified as Near Threatened. Most live in protected areas and private game reserves. This is proof that conservation can revive species.
As recently as the 1960s, northern white rhinoceroses were even more abundant than their southern white counterparts, with over 2,000 rhinos ranging in the wild.
The northern white rhino once roamed over parts of northwestern Uganda, southern South Sudan, the eastern part of the Central African Republic, and the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their range possibly extended as far west as Lake Chad into Chad and Cameroon.
However, rampant poaching led to a drastic decline in their numbers. Within a decade, the number of northern white rhinos dropped to just 700, and by 1984, only 15 individuals had remained in the Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Intervention by conservationists brought the numbers up to around 30, but an outbreak of civil war once again led to a significant decline in their numbers.
Today, the subspecies is functionally extinct. The story of the northern white rhino is a reminder of the devastating impact of human activities on wildlife and the urgent need for innovative conservation efforts.
Groundbreaking efforts are being made to save the northern white rhino from extinction, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible in wildlife conservation. The story of the northern white rhino is now intertwined with cutting-edge science and a global commitment to biodiversity.
There are several innovative conservation efforts underway to save the northern white rhino from extinction.
Scientists are working on techniques to create new northern white rhino embryos. This involves harvesting viable eggs from the remaining females, Najin and Fatu, and fertilizing them with sperm previously collected from male northern white rhinos.
Since December 2019, scientists have successfully extracted immature egg cells from northern white rhinos Najin and Fatu in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy. This process led to 29 viable embryos, all of which are stored in liquid nitrogen at a laboratory in Italy.
Neither Najin nor Fatu can carry a pregnancy, so the fertilized embryos will be implanted into a surrogate southern white rhino.
This process, in addition to the scientific advances in San Diego, could mark not just the fight to save the northern white rhino, but an advancement for conservation of other species as well.
WWF highlights that the protection of rhinos helps protect other species, too. Rhinos contribute to economic growth and sustainable development through the tourism industry, which creates job opportunities and provides tangible benefits to local communities living alongside rhinos.
Safaris, particularly those focused on rhinos, play a significant role in conservation efforts. Here’s how they contribute:
Direct Financial Support:A portion of proceeds may go directly to conservation efforts. This financial support aids in various initiatives, including anti-poaching measures, habitat conservation, and community outreach programs.
Anti-Poaching Initiatives: Revenue generated from safaris often funds anti-poaching efforts. These initiatives are crucial in protecting rhinos from illegal hunting.
Wildlife Population Management: Some safaris contribute to population management measures, such as moving selected rhinos from established populations to new locations to keep populations productive and increase the species’ range.
Conservation Education and Awareness: Safaris offer an incredible opportunity for tourists to learn about rhinos, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts in place to protect them. This education and awareness can lead to increased support for conservation efforts.
Encouraging Local Community Engagement: Safaris often engage local communities in conservation efforts. Thisnot only helps protect rhinos but also provides economic incentives for the communities, such as jobs and revenue from tourism.Local communities value their land and wildlife differently as a result of the opportunities they generate.
Focusing on the African safari, these trips not only offer an unforgettable experience of witnessing the continent’s stunning wildlife and landscapes, but they also contribute to the preservation of precious wildlife and ecosystems. By choosing to engage in these adventures, tourists directly contribute to the protection of ecosystems and the survival of endangered species.
Across the region, the conservancy model and ecotourism have been boons to the region’s wildlife, creating buffer zones and protecting migration corridors while providing economic benefits to local landowners through responsible safari tourism.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, located on the Laikipia Plateau, was a working cattle ranch established in the 1940s. Ol Pejeta set aside land for rhino conservation in 1988 and has become a highly regarded trailblazer for conservation innovation. Today it is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa.The conservancy is also home to the endangered Grevy’s zebra and has some of Kenya’s highest predator densities, yet it still manages a very successful livestock program.
Ol Pejeta seeks to preserve the exceptional biodiversity within its 90,000 acres while supporting the people living in local communities on its borders, to ensure that wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation.
In 2014, Ol Pejeta achieved IUCN Green List status, one of only two conservancies in Africa to be so recognized. The Green List aims to define excellence in managing valuable natural areas.
Ol Derekesi Conservancy is an important corridor between the Loita/Ngurman hills and the Maasai Mara National Reserve for over 3,000 elephants and thousands of other transient plains herbivores, such as wildebeest, zebra, eland and gazelles. The land also supports a permanent population of around 110 Maasai giraffes. In the southeast Mara, the Ol Derekesi Conservancy is managed by two trusts; its area spans approximately 30 square miles.
With the establishment of the Conservancy, local Maasai elders agreed to keep smaller herds and protect the land from overgrazing. This allows local wildlife to flourish in unfenced lands and gives the land a chance to regenerate and rewild, which isespecially important in light of increasingly devastating droughts in the Maasai Mara. In exchange for less intense use of the lands by the Maasai, the local community receives financial benefits from ecotourism, plus a number of community social amenities and educational opportunities. By agreeing to lease their land, Maasai landowners keep important land corridors open for the Great Migration across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, located in north-central Kenya in the shadow of snowcapped Mt. Kenya, was a cattle ranch known as Lewa Downs. Today, it may be the most famous private wildlife reserve in Africa, gaining a worldwide reputation for its pioneering efforts in restoring endangered species. In the 1980s, the process began to transform the ranchland into a heavily guarded black rhinoceros sanctuary.
In the 1960s, Kenya boasted an estimated population of 20,000 black rhinos, but within two decades, poaching reduced that number to fewer than 300. The Lewa Conservancy has played an instrumental role in returning rhinos from the brink of extinction, and Kenya’s rhino population today numbers over a thousand, though the species remains critically endangered.
In 2014, Lewa and the neighboring Borana Conservancy made a bold move to remove the fence separating the two reserves to create one conservation landscape for the benefit of the rhino. With the fence now gone, this landscape now tops 93,000 acres and is one of the biggest private rhino reserves in Kenya. Today, 244 black and white rhinos roam the joint-protected area.
Lewa is also a leader in anti-poaching efforts on behalf of Kenya’s imperiled elephants, participating in regional action to protect more than 6,500 migratory elephants as they move seasonally across the area. The conservancy is also home to a variety of other species ranging from wild dogs, giraffes, antelopes, buffalo, hippos and lions.
Nat Hab’s Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari offers exclusive, behind-the-scenes talks with conservationists on the front lines in all three of these leading private conservancies. Guests learn about struggles and successes with rhino restorationand relish encounters with an array of Kenyan animals on game drives and guided walks from secluded private camps. This hands-on experience not only educates about the importance of conservationbut also directly contributes to local communities and the survival of the rhinos.
The northern white rhino’s story is not just about survival but also about the incredible scientific and conservation efforts being made to secure their future. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports a positive trend in the overall white rhino population, with an estimated 16,803 white rhinos now present—the first increase for the species in over a decade.
The plight of the northern white rhino is a call to action for all of us. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Embark on a Conservation Safari:Consider going on a conservation safari like the Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari. It’s more than just an adventure; it’s a chance to contribute directly to the survival of the northern white rhino. Every booking supports vital conservation efforts.
Donate to Conservation Efforts: If you can’t make the trip, consider donating to rhino conservation organizations. Your contributions can help fund critical initiatives such as anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and scientific research aimed at reviving the northern white rhino population.
Spread Conservation Awareness: Use your voice to make a difference. Talk about the northern white rhino’s plight with your friends, family and social media networks. The more people know about this issue, the more support we can garner for these magnificent creatures. If you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, or a kid at heart—you might use our Rhino quiz!
Remember, every action counts. Whether it’s embarking on a safari, making a donation or simply spreading the word, you can play a part in saving the northern white rhino. Let’s join hands to ensure that future generations also get to witness the majesty of these incredible creatures.
Rhino conservation efforts are of paramount importance as they play a crucial role in preserving one of the world’s most iconic species. Conservation efforts, including anti-poaching initiatives, habitat restoration, community engagement and innovative scientific methods such as in-vitro fertilization are vital to ensure the survival of these majestic creatures.
A rhino safari adventure like the Kenya Rhino Conservation Safari provides a unique opportunity to contribute directly to these conservation efforts. Participating in these safaris, travelers not only get to experience the thrill of witnessing these magnificent creatures but also contribute financially to their survival by supporting various conservation initiatives and local communities devoted to them.
By Lorin Hancock, Lead Specialist of Media and External Affairs at WWF
As a communications professional at WWF, my primary purpose is to motivate and inspire people to act to make the world a better place. But I have a confession: sometimes, it’s difficult to stay positive. You’ve seen the news. The crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic waste are overwhelming, and the impacts are everywhere. Progress is slow-moving and plagued by setbacks. Some days, hope can be hard to come by.
With all the chaos in the world, the opportunity to travel to the Galapagos with Natural Habitat Adventures was one I couldn’t refuse. I was ready to get away and do something entirely disconnected from my day-to-day work. What I did not expect was how much the journey would inspire and refocus me, and just how relevant it is to the work I do. It gave me hope.
I love to travel, and I’ve had the privilege to see many wonderful and unique places across the globe. But there is nothing like the Galapagos Islands. People have asked me what the best part was and I’m at a loss. Visiting these islands is like stepping out of the TARDIS—you can’t tell if you’re back in time before colonization of the Americas, in an alternate universe where humanity never really got a foothold, or on a completely different planet altogether.
The landscape is breathtaking: pristine beaches of fine white or jet-black sand; barren lava fields dotted with oases so vivid green they can’t be real; crystal-clear ocean waters (just look down from the boat to see a nature documentary unfolding beneath you); plentiful wildlife that’s curious, like they aren’t accustomed to people but don’t necessarily have any instinct to fear us.
But here’s the big reveal—this isn’t a land untouched by humans. It’s a land well-managed by humans. This is the ultimate argument that conservation and restoration programs work.
Here’s a little history lesson, all of which I learned from our incredible guides (shoutout to Andres and Leandro who felt like family by the end of the trip). The uninhabited Galapagos islands were first discovered in 1535… and were basically ignored. They had one great thing going for them: nothing! At least as far as the Spanish empire was concerned. No gold, no silver, nothing worth the pain of settling on remote islands where fresh water and building materials were hard to come by. So, for a while, the Galapagos were spared colonization. But that didn’t last long.
Pirates started using the islands as hideouts during the golden age of piracy, and in the centuries following, parts of the islands were formally settled, and communities established. The United States even opened an Air Force base on Balta Island in the 1930s, bringing in 30,000 soldiers.
With people, came the invasive plant and animal species that started taking over: goats, rats, cats, wasps, blackberries, and Spanish cedar. Whalers found giant tortoises to be a convenient source of food and water—and they even became the must-have curio for Western upper classes. The islands, the delicate ecosystem so perfectly evolved, and all the incredible endemic wildlife were at risk of disappearing forever.
So, what happened? People intervened, this time for better rather than for worse. Galapagos National Park was established in 1959, and with it came native species rehabilitation efforts and invasive species eradication. But they didn’t just shut the islands away from all human traffic. Four of the islands are inhabited and home to more than 30,000 people. Anyone can explore and enjoy the protected areas—if they are led by an authorized guide and observe strict rules to prevent damage.
Even on the inhabited islands, there is a clear respect for nature. In Santa Cruz for example, we stayed overnight at the majestic Tortoise Camp (in a literal treehouse, which was a dream come true). In addition to some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen, there were giant tortoises scattered all over, roaming free and living their best lives.
We also visited the nearby Montemar coffee farm which exemplifies the mutually beneficial relationship people can have with nature. The tortoises must migrate across the island to breed, but invasive cedar and blackberries have impeded that process. By clearing this land of invasive species and maintaining it as a sustainable coffee farm, the tortoises can now migrate freely. And the coffee sales ensure the owners can make a living and keep this relationship thriving long-term.
This is what success looks like: some areas primarily for people, some areas primarily for nature, and we all benefit from the presence of the other. WWF’s vision statement is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature—and this is what we’re talking about.
What I learned from this trip is it’s not too late to realize this vision globally. Yes, there are many, many reasons to be worried about the health of our planet. But we are in no way fighting a lost cause.
WWF works on restoration projects around the globe. These projects can’t be rushed, and they can’t be successful without the buy-in and active participation from local communities. We won’t see major progress overnight, which is even more reason to get started now for the sake of future generations. And we have the Galapagos Islands as our guiding light—a shining example of how people can come together to heal nature.
In the dreamlike landscapes of Anna Ortiz, distant volcanoes erupt and the moon eclipses the sun behind sprawling saguaros, agaves, and prickly pears. Through a highly saturated, nearly monochromatic palette with a limited value range, the Brooklyn-based artist explores how low contrast can “render the time of day ambiguous,” she says. “With any luck, this is an invitation to my viewer to pause and consider what this scene is and when it’s taking place.”
Growing up, Ortiz took many trips to visit family in Guadalajara, Mexico, where she learned painting techniques from her grandfather Alfonso, a professional portrait artist, and her aunt Lolita, a sculptor. Tying her contemporary experience in the U.S. to ancestral and cultural histories in Mexico, Ortiz references the unique, dichotomous cultural experiences of second-generation immigrants. Her work often alludes to ancient Mesoamerican visual culture and mythology while considering its continued influence.
In a body of recent paintings now on view in the group exhibition Enchanted Lands at Johansson Projects, Ortiz profiles flora common in the Mexican desert. She outlines the orbs of golden barrel cacti or spiky fronds of century plants, placing us in a specific climate and tying each vivid composition to a continuum of timeless geological or celestial events. “Weaving together invented spaces with references to actual places,” she adds in a statement, “the paintings take both a familiar tone and a sense of the uncanny.”
Enchanted Lands continues in Oakland through July 20. See more on the artist’s website and Instagram.
Few things are more powerful than witnessing the bond between mother and child—or in this case, cub! In the wilds of Alaska, travelers will observe and photograph fascinating bear behavior and will be treated to affectionate displays between protective mothers and playful cubs. This rarest of encounters can be had on our Alaska Bear Quest Photo Expedition—the ultimate bear photography safari! While you dream of adventure, enjoy this roundup of some of our favorite photographs of brown bear mother and cubs, taken by Nat Hab travelers and guides along the remote coast of Katmai National Park. Also featured are some stellar submissions from our Wildlife Photo Contests of years past.
Brad Josephs, one of Nat Hab’s Photo Pro Expedition Leaders, was among the first bear-viewing guides along the Alaska Penisula. Below is a selection of some of our favorite photographs he has taken of brown bear mothers and cubs in Katmai National Park during his decades of experience guiding travelers, professional photographers and film crews. You can also check out Brad’s Daily Dose of Nature, Photographing Bear Behavior: Mothers & Cubs.
Imagine capturing the brilliant red-and-orange-colored Sally Lightfoot crab against a backdrop of lava rocks along the water’s edge. The enormous wingspan of a Galapagos albatross as it soars above the Pacific Ocean. The bright blue feet of blue-footed booby birds during their courtship dance. A century-old giant tortoise gingerly munching on prickly pear cactus, practically oblivious to your presence.
Underwater, curious sea lions swirl like ballerinas, Galapagos penguins dive down, hunting prey, and reef sharks silently glide near the floor of coral reefs.
These are just some incredible photography opportunities that await travelers to the Galapagos islands on our new Galapagos Wildlife Photo Expedition.
A Photo Adventure in the Enchanted Isles
Despite exposure to tourists for nearly a century, the wildlife in the Enchanted Isles remains unbothered by human presence, allowing photographers to get close enough for the best shots. On our immersive 17-day adventure in the Galapagos, visitors will have a full day in Quito and then set out on a private chartered yacht, the Petrel, to visit 15 diverse islands in the archipelago.
Some of the main stops include San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Española, Isabela and Floreana, all offering various species and natural wonders to admire and photograph. A whopping 97% of the islands’ land area makes up Galapagos National Park, with endemic species like marine iguanas, flightless cormorants, frigatebirds, Darwin’s finches and Galapagos tortoises, penguins, hawks, fur seals and more found nowhere else in the world.
During daily excursions, our small group of no more than 15 travelers is divided into even smaller groups, ensuring that guests have an intimate and low-impact experience and allowing for close but safe encounters with wildlife.
Each small group is helmed by one of our naturalist Expedition Leaders (three total on each trip!) who not only offer information and interpretation about the wildlife and landscapes, but who also provide guidance on photography best practices, ethics of wildlife photography, underwater photography advice and post-production techniques that can augment and improve images.
Keep reading to learn about the amazingly diverse wildlife and natural and historic wonders that make for incredible photography subjects on this unforgettable trip.
Land Animals
Giant Tortoises
When Spanish explorers landed on the islands, they saw so many giant tortoises that they named the islands after them. The Spanish word, galápago, means tortoise. These slow-moving ancient reptilian herbivores are the largest tortoises in the world and can weigh up to 500 pounds, grow up to five feet in length, and live more than 100 years. Out of the 14 types of tortoises roaming the islands, some with domed and others with saddle-backed shells, only 10 subspecies and 15,000 individuals live today, a sharp decline from 250,000 that once roamed the pristine islands.
Visitors on the Nat Hab Galapagos photography expedition will visit the world-famous tortoise center, Fausto Llerena Breeding Center, in Puerto Ayora to see and learn about these endangered reptiles and the conservation efforts to protect them and their unique habitats.
The center, managed in partnership with the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park, has bred and released more than 5,000 tortoises into the wild. Visitors to the center even get to see and photograph tiny hatchlings.
In the misty highlands of Santa Cruz, Nat Hab’s private Tortoise Camp offers a rare and exclusive opportunity to spend the night in the habitat of wild tortoises. The camp provides plenty of chances to photograph free-roaming tortoises up close or from raised safari-style canvas tents and elevated treehouses.
The Galapagos land iguana is a large and bulky lizard endemic to the islands. Visitors can see them sunbathing alongside the footpaths and on rocky shores, munching on vegetation, or resting under massive cactus plants. These 3-foot-long lizards are plant-eaters and come in shades of yellow with blotches of black and brown. Galapagos land iguanas are among three species of land iguanas in the region; the other two are the Santa Fe land iguana and the critically endangered Galapagos pink land iguana.
Visitors to the South Plaza islet can occasionally spot the elusive hybrid iguana, a result of breeding between marine and land iguanas. Their large stature and brilliant yellowish-orange hues—set against the technicolor backdrop of sprawling Galapagos carpetweed and prickly pear cactus trees that adorn the landscape—make them ideal subjects for the camera.
In addition to land iguanas, keep an eye out for lava lizards—the most abundant reptile on the islands.
Marine Life
Sea Lions
Any trip to the Galapagos should provide numerous sightings of Galapagos sea lions (a subspecies of the Californian sea lion), both on land and underwater. Sea lions are pinnipeds with external ears (unlike seals, which have tiny holes for ears). Their range includes the entire archipelago, and you’ll often spot them sleeping on boats, docks, beautiful beaches and shore rocks. Underwater, their strong fore flippers propel them as they do flips and hunt for food.
One of the best spots to find sea lions in the Galapagos is at Gardner Bay on Española, where a large colony of sea lions with their juveniles can be seen on the long stretch of the white sand beach; the outing also offers a unique chance to swim with them right from the beach.
While there will be myriad opportunities to photograph sunbathing sea lions, nothing beats a perfectly timed portrait shot of a curious sea lion with its bulging eyes and whiskers twirling in front of you underwater. Grab your snorkeling gear and water-proof camera (or a GoPro) to capture these playful animals where they typically hang out—right under the surface. Don’t forget to spin when they swim; sea lions are nicknamed “puppy dogs of the sea” as they are curious and playful and love to interact with each other and with people.
The region is also home to the endangered Galapagos fur seal, which can be spotted in the lava grottos at James Bay in Santiago, one of the few places in the entire archipelago where you can witness and photograph these shy, endemic animals from the land. Although they’re called fur seals, they’re actually another type of sea lion!
Snorkeling in the Galapagos also affords abundant chances to photograph other captivating subjects, such as Pacific green sea turtles as they effortlessly glide underwater, graceful eagle rays and schools of colorful tropical fish whizzing by above vibrant coral reefs. Lucky travelers may even spot harmless reef-tip sharks moving silently among schools of fish.
Marine Iguanas
When underwater volcanic eruptions formed the Galapagos islands, the environment was initially too harsh to sustain life. It was cold-blooded reptiles that first made the journey from the mainland on vegetation rafts and populated the newly formed islands. Among these reptiles are the salt- and extreme weather-tolerant marine iguanas.
The Galapagos marine iguana is the only ocean-going lizard species in the world. Although they aren’t very social, they often lay on top of one another or in clusters on coastal or lava rocks, mangrove swamps, and beaches to conserve heat when not swimming in search of food. You may even see them spitting out salt!
These fascinating creatures are black during the non-mating season, but the backs of the males turn red or dull green (depending on their location) to attract females during the mating season. The marine iguanas of Española Island—the most sought-after iguanas for photos—are aptly named “Christmas iguanas” for their gorgeous green and red skin colors.
Birds
Blue-Footed Boobies
Blue-footed boobies are some of the most entertaining seabirds you will encounter during your expedition. You’ll find them along hiking paths and on rocks, as well as plunge-diving into the water from rocky cliffs. Their most distinctive feature is their bright blue-colored webbed feet, which get their hue from the fresh fish they consume.
These birds are typically seen in pairs, engaging in a comical courtship dance that involves strutting and flashing their webbed feet, pointing their beaks skyward and raising their wings. Their name comes from the Spanish word bobo, which means silly.
Blue-footed boobies are the most common among the booby birds that live on the islands; the other two subspecies are red-footed (for their pale red feet) and Nazca boobies (white with black feathers). The best place to photograph these adorable seabirds and their nesting grounds is North Seymour Island.
Galapagos Penguins
The Galapagos penguin is one of the most sought-after birds for those on a cruise to the Enchanted Isles. Smaller than your average duck (weighing just under six pounds) and sporting milky white bellies and black and brown feathers on their backs, they resemble a tuxedo. These flightless birds are the only species of penguin living north of the equator. Visitors will likely hear their braying before spotting them.
Sadly, Galapagos penguins are endangered, and their populations have dwindled due to climate change, pollution and bycatch. Their population currently stands at approximately 1,800 individuals.
Waved Albatrosses
The title of the largest bird in the Galapagos goes to the waved albatross. With a whopping 7 to 8-foot wingspan and weighing up to 11 pounds, these majestic birds get their name from the wavy lines on their white undercarriage. The entire population of this subspecies lives on the island of Española near Punta Suarez, where visitors can witness them engaging in a raucous mating ritual of tapping their yellow hook-tipped bills enthusiastically and making honking and whistling sounds.
Waved albatross
In the winter, between January and March, adult waved albatrosses use the island’s rocky cliffs as a springboard to begin their journey across the Pacific to the coasts of Peru and Ecuador in search of food. Waved albatrosses mate for life, splitting up during the winter when they go hunting and returning to the same breeding grounds year after year. Like the Galapagos penguin, the waved albatross is threatened by climate change, overfishing and pollution.
Frigatebirds & Other Native Birds
Frigatebirds, with their enormous red-colored throat pouches, are some of the most commonly spotted birds on a Galapagos cruise. They have earned the nickname of “pirate birds” for their tendency to hover above blue-footed booby fishing grounds, waiting to steal their catches. They’ve also been known to catch free rides in the wake of ships. The largest colonies of frigatebirds are in North Seymour and San Cristobal.
Birders can grab their telephoto lens to shoot images of other birds native to the islands, including flightless cormorants, Galapagos hawks, Galapagos petrels and several types of finches (including Darwin’s finches, which played an important role in inspiring the famed scientist’s theory of evolution!) during hikes or panga boat outings.
Natural and Historic Wonders
Kicker Rock
The most recognizable natural wonder in the Galapagos is Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido, a monolithic rock formation towering 500 feet above the water’s surface in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The natural feature consists of two large, eroded volcanic rocks separated by a channel. The channel provides habitat for white-tipped reef sharks, rays, reef and pelagic fish, sea turtles and sea lions, making Kicker Rock a popular snorkeling destination.
Kicker Rock is a two-hour boat ride from San Cristobal island. It can be seen from various smaller islands such as Isla Lobos, which boasts a resident sea lion colony and blue-footed boobies.
Frame the perfect shot of sea lions in the foreground and the iconic Kicker Rock in the distance from Isla Lobos, or wait for the sun to set to catch the golden light reflected on the monolith. Get up close on a panga ride to get snaps of birds like Nazca boobies, frigatebirds and other native birds.
Pinnacle Rock
Stepping onto the tiny uninhabited Bartolome island, an ancient submerged volcano, feels like you are on another planet. Ancient lava rocks and darkened soil merge with rust-colored sand, and fascinating geological formations dot the landscape. A pristine crescent-shaped beach makes for the perfect stop for a swim in the turquoise-colored waters teeming with marine life like sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and schools of fish.
Climbing to the island’s highest point offers a 360-degree view of this otherworldly landscape, including Pinnacle Rock, a pointed formation just off the shore that is undoubtedly one of the most photographed and treasured sight in the Galapagos.
Quito’s Historic Old Town
The day before setting out on the cruise, Nat Hab travelers get an entire day to admire the sights and photograph Quito’s 16th-century Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a guided photography tour, you can wander the cobblestone lanes and photograph the grand plazas, Morrish and Indigenous-influenced buildings, Spanish architecture, and ornate churches.
Must-see attractions include the Government Palace, La Compañia Church, Metropolitan Cathedral of Quito, Basilica of the National Vow and Independence Plaza, from which you can see the Archbishop’s Palace Cathedral and the Presidential Palace.
Old Town in Quito, Ecuador
Local markets offer a peek into the lives of the residents and a chance to meet them and snap a collage of subjects from herbs and flowers to fruit and vegetables, along with Andean arts, crafts and textiles. The top of Panecillo Hill provides a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding volcanic peaks.
Nature walks are Adele Renault’s main source of inspiration. Spending her time between Los Angeles and Brussels, the artist (previously) encounters varying landscapes that catalyze her practice. While the rugged urban terrain of southern California bolsters desert plants and palms, the Belgian countryside bears lush vegetation and thickets of trees. Renault likes to connect her subjects with the environments she thrives in, explaining, “the flora become a metaphor for the people, both native and nonnative, who inhabit a city, enrich its cultural assemblage, and share in a collective consciousness.”
Placing a magnifying glass over small details that are often overlooked, Renault depicts transient features such as the intricate texture of leafy specimens, the protruding prickles of flowering cacti, and the way the the sunlight hits dense tufts of grass in the forest. She’s passionate about plants and appreciative of these minutia. “It’s a very nourishing subject. You can live with plants, eat plants, talk to plants, learn from plants and paint plants all your life,” she shares. “And that way, I’m sure you’ll live a happy life.”
Nowadays, Renault spends more time in her studio, leaving the larger walls for the next generation of muralists. The artist has some exciting projects coming up with galleries in Los Angeles and Brussels, so follow her on Instagram and visit her website to keep tabs on those works.
Protruding in a meandering fashion like tree branches or the sprawling overgrowth of flowering vines, the flamboyant botanical sculptures that sprout from Megan Bogonovich’s Norwich studio capture the wondrous moments of when “bucolic tips over into batty.”
Her workspace is tucked in a wooded area, leaving Bogonovich constantly surrounded by lush landscapes. “When I look around my neighborhood this time of year,” she says, “nature seems so verdant and powerful. I think the fragility of the material and the quantity of sculptures have mirrored the natural world in the way that plants are abundant, but vulnerable and highly pluckable.”
Bogonovich’s sculptures (previously) embody the delicate relationship between humans and the environment. Fascinated by nature’s ability to adapt to human presence, she sculpts cylindrical structures that twist and turn in different directions, perhaps implying the irregularity of the landscapes that her superempirical organisms might thrive in. Spiky and bumpy textures cover vibrant surfaces, emphasizing the idiosyncrasies of repetition and pattern that are so prevalent in organic forms.
Though each sculpture exists “in the realm of exuberance and glee,” she adds, “I know people see a sinister undercurrent, and that is definitely true of the work.” In a world so apprehensive toward shifting climates, invasive species, and future existence altogether, the artist’s ceramic iterations offer a feeling of bountiful pleasure.
Bogonovich just finished a residency at the Vermont Studio Center, and you can find more work on her Instagram and website.
