Sunday 15 June 2014

Conservation through the eyes of Steve Irwin


Perhaps one of the most controversial characters in the realm of conservation, Steve Irwin was outspoken and dramatic. People either loved him or hated him. Lets look at a few quotes, remember his television antics, and judge for yourself how this larger than life personality fitted into the conservation movement.








"So, my tactic with conservation of apex predators is to get people excited and to take them to where they live."
                                                                              Steve Irwin






"Every cent we earn from Crocodile Hunter goes straight back into conservation. Every single cent."
                                                                               Steve Irwin








 "I believe sustainable use is the greatest propaganda in wildlife conservation at the moment."
                                                                       Steve Irwin






 




 "Steve Irwin did wonderful conservation work but I was uncomfortable about some of his stunts. Even if animals aren't aware that you are not treating them with respect, the viewers are."
                                                      David Attenborough


 I met him many years ago and what can I say; Steve was just Steve. He reminded me of the expression, 'a bull in a china shop'. But I know he was passionate and that's more than many of us can claim. Sadly, he died 4 September, 2006 while trying to ride on the back of a large stingray.



 


 Please note that the photos in this text are the work of many fine photographers. Only the banner above is of Steve Irwin.

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Friday 23 May 2014

Thoughts of Conservation




Conservation is one of the most bandied about words today. But what does it mean to different people?




The green turtle is an endangered species.

"A State without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation."
                                                  Edmund Burke






A tiny shrimp on the arms of a feather starfish.

"People are not going to care about animal conservation unless they think that animals are worthwhile."
                                           
                                           David Attenborough




Whale sharks are killed for their fins.

"Basically, I think 21st century conservation is moving toward preserving ecosystems by dealing with the needs of people."
                                           
                                           Edward Norton






Cuttlefish are masters of disguise.


"All the conservation efforts in the world won't be enough to make a dent in the ongoing sustainability crisis our planet faces."
                                                  
                                                 
           Naveen Jain





Moray eel.



Friday 7 February 2014

Jacques Yves Cousteau speaks of the world he loved.




Jacques Cousteau was my hero! As a young boy growing up in the Florida Keys the sea was all that mattered. I spent my life working in the sea and I still feel the same; we live on a tiny blue planet and the sea is all that matters.




"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."
                                                                                 Jacques Cousteau

A tiny crab guards its territory in a miniature world only visible to those who look.






"People protect what they love"
                                                                                Jacques Cousteau



The first marine park was established off Key Largo in the USA by my friend,John Pennekamp. It was suggested to him because it was my favorite dive site.




"No aquarium, no tank in a marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions of the sea. And no dolphin who inhabits one of those aquariums or one of those marine lands can be considered normal."
                                                                                Jacques Cousteau




Dolphins may travel many kilometres a day in a world without any boundaries.



"Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends, have become global garbage cans."
                                                                                               
                                                                                                            Jacques Cousteau


The Citarum River carries hundreds of tonnes of plastic waste to the sea where it ends up in the guts of marine life.






 For some inspiring quotes from Albert Einstein see

Sunday 8 December 2013

Words from Santayana, Rachel Carson,Shakespeare, and Paolini bring Life to Still Photos







Mother and calf Sperm Whales communicate with song.







“The earth has music for those who listen.” 
                                                              
                                                                                          George Santayana





                                                             A school of barracuda circle in a crystal sea.








“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” 

                                                                                        Rachel Carson, 'Silent Spring'




 

 A tiny island floats in the incredible blue of the Andaman Sea.





“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” 

                                                            William Shakespeare







 A young Whale Shark swims slowly through tropical waters as it feeds on plankton.




“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.” 

                                                                                                 Christopher Paolini, 'Eragon'




 

The octopus is the 'wizard' of color change and disguise; flamboyant one moment and hidden the next.


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