'Habitat'
Endangered in England, this is one of just 15,000 red squirrels living in the country. Especially in the south, populations are precinctive only to small islands isolated from the mainland, where they weren’t subjected to the introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the late 1800s. This individual lives on Brownsea Island, a site of special scientific interest for its unique species and diverse habitats, and a location that engages young people from local areas with nature through regular educational programs. The National Trust acquired the island in 1962, and has since successfully conserved its biodiversity and built up a 250-strong red squirrel population, which remain seamlessly integrated into the island ecosystem. Although much of the wildlife is found in a conservation area closed to the public, staying overnight on the island at the designated campsite allowed me to observe the squirrels at dawn and dusk when visitors weren’t around. Many of the squirrels were being fed nuts and seeds to supplement their diet, while also allowing them to be more easily studied and observed. I took this photo in the morning for the most ideal light, and surrounded my subject with its dense habitat through the use of a wide-angle lens.
'On the Ropes'
This is an endangered Geoffroy’s spider monkey, which has encountered new signs of human life whilst foraging in the Osa Peninsula. After observing the monkey swing down from the trees to sit on a newly constructed metal footbridge, I took the opportunity to capture a moment that is symbolic of the monkey’s plight. On the left is a green, verdant, and thriving rainforest, which is then bisected by the bridge - perhaps signifying the introduction of human development and tourism. Looking further right, it feels as if the monkey is gazing out into the darkness of an uncertain future. The monkey instinctively clings to the tree with its tail for comfort while it explores such a new, alien structure. Although others might interpret this image differently, I think it tells a story of a future unwritten, one where humans have the power and responsibility to make positive change.
The greatest threat to the spider monkeys of Central America is habitat loss. We must identify sustainable strategies to end large-scale land use change within our rainforests. These monkeys form part of a complex web of life, which in the Osa Peninsula is the most biologically rich in the world - holding a whopping 2.5% of our planet’s biodiversity in an incredibly dense area. The rainforest in the Osa Peninsula is largely protected due to the recent introduction of national parks and biological corridors, therefore limiting the fragmentation of territories for these particular monkeys and their forest counterparts. It paves the way for other Central American countries to follow Costa Rica’s lead, and nurture the precious rainforests they’re so fortunate to be custodians of.
The greatest threat to the spider monkeys of Central America is habitat loss. We must identify sustainable strategies to end large-scale land use change within our rainforests. These monkeys form part of a complex web of life, which in the Osa Peninsula is the most biologically rich in the world - holding a whopping 2.5% of our planet’s biodiversity in an incredibly dense area. The rainforest in the Osa Peninsula is largely protected due to the recent introduction of national parks and biological corridors, therefore limiting the fragmentation of territories for these particular monkeys and their forest counterparts. It paves the way for other Central American countries to follow Costa Rica’s lead, and nurture the precious rainforests they’re so fortunate to be custodians of.
'Squirrel Monkey'
'Yellow-Throated Toucan'
'Midnight Arachnid'
'Riverside Perch'
I heard that dippers - Britain's only aquatic songbird - could be found on the River Frome, not far from my home. After walking the river path, I discovered their nest underneath a little footbridge. This breeding pair would regularly dart to and from the nest, flying over the fast-moving water and foraging for aquatic invertebrates. Although the dipper is recolonising in some areas of Britain, water pollution is unfortunately a relentless threat to their survival. We must stop unsustainable, intensive agricultural practices and the release of human sewage from damaging our waterways.
'Bluebells'
