Return From Costa Rica

I finally made it back from Costa Rica. Wow, what a country! There was wildlife everywhere. 

During in a brief pause between heavy showers I finally managed to snap this little guy in mid take off as he paused whizzing between flowers. Even at rest I saw his little chest heaving up and down. It’s no wonder he was tired, hummingbirds can beat their wings up to 3000 times a minute as they visit up to 1000 flowers in a day on loops.

I'll be posting more Costa Rica shots in the next few weeks so stay tuned!
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Shot on OM-D E-M5 II + 40-150 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO
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La Fortuna de San Carlos Waterfall, Costa Rica

People From the Road: The Last Cowboy

Don was the finest cowboy I ever met. One of the last. Bar fights, droughts, floods he's seen it all in his 30 years as a musterer. 

I rarely saw him on two legs, he preferred four. 

Kiana cattle station. The Northern Territory, Australia 2015.

People From the Road: The Tuk-Tuk Man

The tuk tuk man, stanchion of the Asian transport system. 

He can usually be found half-heartedly looking for business or asleep in the back of his vehicle. Vigorous shaking maybe required. 

On the Streets of Yogyakarta. Java, Indonesia 2015.

Photo Stories #5: The Call of the Desert

I heard howling in the desert one night, just one voice, metres from where I slept. It came softy at first, a whimper rising to a moan. A howl that pricked the hairs on my neck and made my heart jump. There was sadness and loss in that midnight song.

The morning revealed this old girl, warming herself in the early morning sun. Just looking for a spot of company.

The Devils Marbles, Northern Territory. Australia 2015.

Photo Stories #4: The Nuclear Issue

There are a lot of arguments for nuclear disarmament. The loudest I heard was stood among the elderly Japanese of the Hiroshima Peace Park, as they spoke of the sudden flash and the day the world truly changed. 

I reflected this upon a sobering sunset at the Itsukushima Shrine. 

Miyajima Island, Japan. February 2012.

Photo Stories #3: The Venetian

Bob Dylan wrote: "the times they are a changing." No where could this be more apparent than Venice, whose streets resound to the tramp of over 20 million pairs of tourist feet a year.

I saw an old Venetian man surveying the crowds of a busy public square during the scrum of lunch hour. What do you think his expression says?

Venice, Italy 2016.

Photo Stories #1: Feed the Population

Barbarity, or just humanity? 

Blood runs freely from the nubs of cattle's freshly cut horns as they are loaded for market. Why? So they do not injure themselves or bruise the meat of others.

For the musterers, this is their livelihood hood and they were hesitant of photos being taken. They know the repercussions and attitudes of people unused to this industry. 

As I worked with them, during the processing of cattle, they acted with the utmost professionalism for the animals. Only performing what was "necessary", and not once goading or provoking the cattle. It was rumoured on another ranch, scientists were trying to breed hornless cattle, thus to eliminate this stressful act. 

For now, as long as we expect fresh meat in the supermarket for a growing population and continue to lead a predominately meat based diet, intensive farming will continue.

The Northern Territory, Australia 2015.

Photo Stories #1: On the Streets of Singapore

Many think of Singapore as a quick long haul stop over. But the city is a diverse mix of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Arab people, all offering their own fantastic takes on traditional food. Well worth a visit for a couple of days. 

I took a stroll one morning in The Arab Quarter, as the muezzin cried softly through the streets, rubbing shoulders with veiled strangers who glanced mysteriously from kohl rimmed eyes. 

The Arab Quarter, Singapore 2013.

People From the Road #4: The Entrepreneur

It's a little hut nestled on the white sands of Gili Meno, with a palm frond roof and bright red plastic stools for chairs. Luxurious spas and retreats stand either side. But Ketut and her daughter, Leyly, run the best food on the island.

Gili Meno, Indonesia 2015.