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Birds and Wildlife of Thailand (2024) In early 2023 we were informed by our good friend Judy Edgar about a birding workshop to be conducted in Thailand in January 2024. It sounded like fun so we signed up. These are a few of the photos that we took during that workshop. |
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Bangkok and Ayutthaya (2024) - In our final 4 days in Thailand Cathy and I spent 3 days exploring the temples and cultural sites in Bangkok. On our final day we took a full day trip to Ayutthaya, the original capital of the kingdom of Thailand dating back to 1350. Ayutthaya was laid to waste by the Burmese in the 18th century and the capital moved to Bangkok. |
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Chiang Mai (2024) - Chiang Mai is a fascinating city with deep historical roots. Noted largely for it many magnificent Bhuddhist temples and delicious food it is a tourist's delight. |
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North Macedonia (2023) - North Macedonia is one of the Balkan countries located just above Greece. It has a rich culture and history dating back thousands of years. Alexander the Great's kingdom (336–323 BC) covered much of Europe, Egypt, the Middle East and as far east as India. The country is an example of living history and the people were warm and inviting. |
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Delhi & Snow Leopard Lodge (2020) - In January of 2020 Cathy and I embarked on the most exotic trip that we had ever taken. We were going into the Himalayas to attempt to photo graph the elusive Snow Leopard. We would be staying at a small lodge at 13,000 ft elevation. We had a great two days in Delhi before flying up into the Himalayas. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the worst trip of our lives. We both became seriously ill. Cathy managed to get in one day of photography while I never left my room at the Snow Leopard Lodge. Regardless, we have some good photos and memories from Delhi.. |
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Brown Bears (2019) - For years Cathy and I wanted to visit Alaska to photograph brown bears. We had heard many great reports from our friends about the Brown Bear photography tour sponsored by Dan Cox but it was always fully booked before we could sign up. This year we finally got our chance. |
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Slovenia (2019) - This trip was a bit of a departure for us - no wildlife. But Slovenia is a fascinating country nonetheless. Despite being part of a former communist country (Yugoslavia) its people are well-to-do, well educated and industrious. It is a small country, slightly smaller than the state of New Jersey, with a population of about 2 million. You can get to any place in the country in a one-day drive. The geography is highly varied with the Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps in the north, the Adriatic Sea in the southwest and wine country in the eastern parts. Slovenia is noted for its fine wine and hearty cuisine. It was one of our most relaxing trips...despite the multiple 4 a.m. pre-dawn photo shoots. |
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Snowy Owls (2019) - Cathy has dreamed for years of seeing and photographing Snowy Owls. In general, owls are fascinating birds but the Snowy has an almost ethereal appearance that adds to its mystique. In January we had the opportunity to photograph these beautiful birds up in Ontario and Quebec Canada. Our trip coincided with the huge blizzard that buried the Midwest in snow. For a while we were concerned that we would not even be able to get to Canada. After many delays and diversions we finally made it. We spent a week trudging through two foot deep snow in bitter cold but the results were worth it. |
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Atacama & Patagonia (2018) - is recognized as having some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. In December of 2018 we visited there as well as northern Argentina and Chile. The culture, scenery and wildlife were fascinating. Please enjoy a sampling of our photos from this memorable trip. |
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Wildebeest Migration - Maasai Mara (2018) - In November 2006, USA Today and Good Morning America revealed a list of New Seven Wonders of the World. The great Wildebeest Migration was included on that list. The migration has been the subject of many published magazine articles and television documentaries. Cathy and I have wanted to see this wonder of nature for years and when the opportunity arose we jumped at it. The migration this year was a bit smaller than normal but was still exciting to behold. |
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Samburu Village (2018) - One of the most exciting aspects of foreign travel is getting to see how other people live. As part of our trip to Kenya we visited a small village just outside of Samburu National Reserve. As you can see the clothing was beautiful and colorful, as were the inhabitants. |
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Kenya Wildlife (2018) - This was our second photo safari to Kenya. The first was 6 years ago in 2012 (see below). In addition to the wildebeest migration we photographed a wide variety of other animals. The sightings for lions, cheetahs, zebras and giraffes were especially stunning. |
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Cuba (2018) - Our visit to Cuba was full of unexpected surprises. It was our first visit to a truly communist country. Though the government is clearly dysfunctional in many ways the people have great pride in their culture and heritage. Education and medical care are free for everyone. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 the island enjoys a rich historical place in the history of the Western Hemisphere. However, due to the oppression of the colonizers the people, lead by Fidel Castro and Ernesto "Che" Guevara, rebelled in 1959 and evicted President (dictator) Batista and the Americans. Today Cuba is a poor but very egalitarian society with a love of the arts and sports.
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Mongolia (2017) - From the nomadic herders of the Gobi Desert to the eagle hunters of the Altai Mountains of the Northwest, Mongolia is a raw, untamed land. It is probably most famous for Genghis Khan, arguably the greatest military commander of all time. What ultimately brought us to this exotic country was the Golden Eagle Festival held each year just outside of Ulgii. Watching the Khazakh eagle hunters and their trained golden eagles was fascinating. We hope you enjoy sharing our experience. |
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Botswana, Namibia and Zambia (2017) - Our visit to Botswana, Namibia and Zambia was an experience of extremes. From the Namib desert sand dunes and the tiny creatures that inhabit them to the giant elephants of Chobe National Park in Botswana we were enthralled with the variety of scenery and wildlife. Cap this off with the thundering Victoria Falls in Zambia and you have the experience of a lifetime. |
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Himba (2017) - The Himba tribes people have experienced
a great deal of upheaval during the course of their existance. They have
suffered through wars and relocations. Today they survive the harsh, arid
conditions of Northern Namibia by raising sheep and goats but measure
their wealth by the number of cattle owned.
The Himba are probably best known for the practice women have of adorning their skin with butterfat and ochre, which protects the skin and gives it a reddish tint. Today most Himba are becoming modernized bet we were fortunate to meet a group that is still adhering to the old cultural ways.
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Wildlife of Madagascar (2016) - Madagascar is the island that time forgot.
Separated from the Indian subcontinent 88 million years ago, life evolved in isolation from the rest of the planet. As a result, more than 90% of Madagascar’s plant and animal species are found nowhere else on Earth. Unfortunately the ecology of the island is being destroyed by slash-and-burn agricultural practices. Much of the native forest habitat on the island has been decimated with devastating impact on the endemic wildlife that depends on it. Most of the eastern rain forests, excluding those in national parks and reserves, could be wiped out within the next 10 years. The beauty of the people, landscape and wildlife made for a wonderfully enjoyable experience. Hopefully, efforts underway to preserve the uniqueness and ecology of the island will be successful. |
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Malagasy (2016) - Our visit to Madagascar was one of the best experiences we’ve had. We expected to photograph lemurs and chameleons but this trip was so much more. We loved the spirit of the Malagasy people. Despite great poverty the people were warm, friendly, energetic and proud. |
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Palouse Harvest (2016) - Cathy and I had such a great time in Palouse last June that we decided we had to go back during the wheat harvest and observe the region and activities at that time. We were not disappointed. The green wheat fields had turned into the famous "amber waves of grain". While completely different in tone, the colors and textures were every bit as beautiful. It rained on our second day, cutting the harvest activities short, but we were able to capture some of the combines in action. At a further treat, we followed the grain through its various steps from harvest through shipping to market. |
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Palouse (2016), in eastern Washington, is one of the richest, most prolific agricultural regions in the world. However, to many, it even better know as one of the most photogenic landscapes in the United States. In June of 2016 Cathy and I had the privilege of spending a week there photographing the region. We fell in love with the rolling hills and soft velvet fields. |
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Expressions of Nature is a collection of our favorite Black and White images from the past ten years. Ever since I began printing photos in my home darkroom 45 years ago B&W has been one of my favorite art forms. The world of digital photography has not changed that. |
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Svalbard (2015) - In 2015 we took a trip to Svalbard in the arctic above Norway. We spent 10 days on an ice-strengthened research vessel to photograph polar bears. In addition to polar bears we saw so much more; reindeer, walrus, seals, and birds galore. We also returned with a new respect for the arctic and the diversity of life at 80° N. |
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Costa Rica (2015) - Costa Rica is one of the most lush, bio-diverse and humid places that we have ever visited. The rain forests were magnificent and the wildlife spectacular. We especially wanted to see and photograph the tree frogs. Although the poison dart frogs escaped our cameras the tree frogs were quite co-operative. We also saw plenty of scarlet macaws and capuchin monkeys. |
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Iguazu Falls (2014) - Iguazu Falls are one of the great natural
wonders of the world. The falls are the result of the |
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Secrets of the Pantanal (2014) - The Pantanal is a region in Brazil that contains the worlds largest wetlands environment. It is between 54,000 and 75,000 sq. mi. in area, 80% of which is underwater during the wet season, leading to an amazing diversity of wildlife. The primary method of transportation is via boats that ply the rivers winding through the area. Dense thickets line the rivers. Peer carefully into the underbrush and trees and the secrets of the Pantanal will be revealed to you. |
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The Snow Monkeys of Japan (2014) are fascinating creatures. Ever since I first saw and read about them in National Geographic Magazine I knew that someday I would have to go to Japan and see them. Like many species of monkeys and primates, they have very human-like faces and expressions, especially the eyes. Watching them sit in the hot springs with snow collecting on their heads only makes them more appealing. |
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Wildlife of Japan (2014) encompasses a wide variety of species. Among the most exciting are the red-crowned cranes, famous for their mating dance and ritual. However, there is much more for the naturalist to observe, including extensive species of birds, especially the raptors, deer, fox and much more. |
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South Africa (2013) represented our return to the African continent. Having fallen in love with the land, the people and the wildlife during our first visit to Kenya in 2012 we were anxious to return and explore new area. And we were not disappointed. The wildlife in South Africa is spectacular. A highlight was certainly getting to see multiple leopards and even some cubs. Come and enjoy our images with us. |
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Pictures at an EGGs-hibition (2012) was a significant departure from our normal nature and wildlife photography. Inspired by my mother's egg art and intrigued by the endless possibilities of shape, form, light and shadow we spent a year exploring this simple, yet complex, object. The gallery show that resulted from this work was very well received. |
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The Kenya Collection (2012) contains the images that were included
in the gallery show, “Africa: Two Views” in May of 2012. Cathy
and I teamed up with local artist Walter Crew to produce an art show
highlighting the African people, wildlife and landscape. Our B&W
photos were carefully selected and prepared to provide intimate portraits
of the animals that we saw and the people we met. Non-essential
elements in the photographs were de-emphasized until all that was left was
the pure essence of the image. Walter’s paintings, on the other hand,
are rich, vibrant celebrations of life, color and texture. The two
viewpoints contrasted nicely and the show was an artistic success.
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Kenya (2012) - Our visit to Kenya was awe inspiring as we discovered for the first time the incredible ecological diversity of this continent. The beauty was staggering. We saw the incredible richness of the wildlife and landscape. Unfortunately, we also became aware of the severe problems of poaching and man's encroachment of the wilderness.
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Kenya - People of Color (2012) - I expected many things when we visited Kenya for the first time. One thing that I did not expect was the incredibly colorful nature of the people's clothing and jewelry. It was astonishing, as were the people themselves. |
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The American Southwest - Chasing the Light (2010) - Both barren and beautiful, the American Southwest has provided inspiration to artists, photographers and writers alike. What looks barren, dry and inhospitable during the middle of the day comes alive with color in the "golden hours" around dawn and sunset. For most of our visit we found ourselves "chasing the light" to capture those moments when the rocks and landscape came alive with color.
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The Polar Bears of Churchill (2008) - Each fall, polar bears congregate on the shores of Hudson Bay in Manitoba Canada, waiting for the bay to freeze. After fasting on land for six to seven months, they’re eager to hunt ringed seals on the bay ice. In 2008 Cathy and I had a five-day adventure, exploring the western shore of Hudson Bay by “tundra buggy” where we photographed these endangered animals.
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Environments was a gallery show that featured 44 of our images from Kenya, Churchill, Yellowstone, the Southwest and Death Valley. The images illustrate man's impact on the environment as well as the magnificence of our natural world. |
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© 2019 All Rights Reserved Mark and Cathy Pemberton |
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