Awestruck in Iceland

Photo Gallery | Central Highlands of Fjallabak

Mystery surrounds the naming of Iceland. Legend has it that the Vikings, who first settled here, adopted the name to discourage other settlers.  Who would want to move to a place called Iceland?  Others claim that the name was adopted because the glaciers were a navigational mark. 

Twelve days driving around the ring road provided plenty of time to explore beyond the major highlights. It wasn’t unusual to begin a day knowing it was only a few hours drive to the next stopping point and spend the entire day getting there.

Time was consumed with hikes, waterfalls, picnic lunches and frequent stops to take in the incredible seascapes and landscapes. Awestruck in Iceland.

A spectacular blanket of moss covers the lava fields.

My rain gear became everyday gear. Beside protection from the rain, it provided warmth. Scenery changed quickly as fog and rain continuously moved through. All part of the Iceland experience.

While September wasn’t the season for puffins, I spotted humpback whales in the northern fyords. Getting up close to several glaciers was stunning. Unfortunately it was shocking to learn how much the glaciers had receded in recent years due to climate change.

After circling the island, I traveled into the central highlands of Fjallabak. Rugged and remote, it’s photographically unique with large expanses of lava, black sand deserts, rivers and crater lakes. A specialized vehicle was needed to ford the river beds that criss-cross the unpaved roads.

An early winter storm transformed the landscape. Black turned to white and new lines and patterns emerged. I was grateful for my many layers of clothing as the snow and wind blasted through the landscape.

The unique beauty of Iceland strengthened my commitment to conservation.  I hope my images inspire you to explore nature and preserve it.

Photo Gallery Link | Central Highlands of Fjallabak.

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Warmest regards,

Debra

Paris Street Photography

Black and White, and in Color.

After a week in Paris my step counter was exploding.  I returned to favorite neighborhoods and explored new ones.  The Seine, running through the center of Paris, and the Eiffel Tower kept me oriented as I walked the streets. Spring weather drew people outdoors. 

I set out with a plan to create black and white images in recognition of the late French photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson.  He worked in black and white and spoke of the “decisive moment,” a unique, fleeting moment that brings an image to life. In my street and travel photography I am always chasing that moment. A glance. A gesture. A shadow.

Waiting for the decisive moment.

I always shoot in color and convert my images to black and white in post processing.  Although I put together a black and white Paris gallery (link below) there are a few images I want to share in color and here’s why.

Limestone is everywhere in Paris.  At the "Golden Hour" it has beautiful tonal warmth.  

Incredible doors can be found throughout Paris.  These two waiters, taking a break along the main street on Ile Saint-Louis, enjoyed being photographed.

Here's a link to my Paris Black & White  gallery. 

If you would like to know when I add a new blog or gallery add your email at:  STAY IN TOUCH

Debra

Pacu Jawi -Bull Races | West Sumatra

Pacu - Jawi | Pure bull power speeding through muddy rice fields

For generations the Minangkabau people, in the highlands of West Sumatra, have concluded their rice harvest with a celebration Pacu Jawi – Bull Races,  a competition pitting jockey’s and bull’s in a race across a muddy rice paddy. What a thrill (and challenge) to photograph!  

A festive atmosphere surrounds the races. Local farmers gather with their bulls to demonstrate their strength, good health and training. There were no prizes, but the best performing bulls demanded a higher price for the owner.  It felt like everyone in the surrounding communities was there for a day at the races.

The jockey stands on a wooden frame and holds onto the bull’s tails. Since the bulls are only loosely tied it is up to the jockey to keep them together as they speed across the muddy paddy. If the bulls move in different directions the jockey needs extreme strength to hold them together or ends up in the mud to the cheers of the crowd.

At the close of the races everyone needs a washing off: bulls, jockeys, spectators. And one muddy photographer!

©Sue Hewett

Here's a link to my Pacu Jawi Gallery

If you would like to know when I add a new blog or gallery add your email at:  STAY IN TOUCH

Debra

Orangutans Need Our Support

Cruising the river in Central Kalimantan I scanned for wildlife, spotting long tailed macaque and proboscis monkeys at the river’s edge and bright colored kingfishers and hornbills darting across the river.  This was idyllic, but the reason I was in Kalimantan was to photograph orangutans and understand why they are Critically Endangered.

Venturing into Tanjung Putih National Park I hear an adult male and see shaking treetops as an orangutan moves through the dizzying treetops hidden from below. I’m heading to Camp Leaky, one of the feeding stations managed by Orangutan Foundation International (OFI).

OFI looks after distressed orangutans forced out of their natural habitat. Baby orangutans normally spend their first two years dependent on their mothers so they need specialized care.

Orangutans and humans share 97% of their DNA, a relationship even more obvious after a few days watching them interact.  The range of facial expressions, mother baby interactions and competition within the group signal the depth of their feelings and similarities with us.

The last hope for wild orangutans is on the island of Borneo in Malaysia (Sabah) and Indonesia (Kalimantan).  There is another orangutan population on the island of Sumatra, but this dwindling population has little hope for a future in the wild.

A look at the numbers is numbing.  In the last 75 years the population of wild orangutans has fallen by 82%.  By 2010 only 60% of orangutan habitat still existed in Borneo with only 20% in the national park system.

Humans and wildlife once shared these habitats, but human population growth and economic development have changed everything. The greatest threat is the expansion of palm oil plantations. Surging global demand for palm oil has lead to massive forest destruction with a dramatic loss of habitat for orangutans.

I was privileged to spend this time with the orangutans.  Tanjung Putih National Park is a safe haven for orangutans, but it isn’t clear for how much longer.  I hope my images move you and you consider supporting the Orangutan International Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Foundation or others working on behalf of orangutans.

Enjoy the images in my gallery.  

If you would like to know when I add a new blog or gallery add your email at:  STAY IN TOUCH

Debra

The Rise & Fall of the Spice Islands

A dark history with an unexpected twist

Today nutmeg conjures up thoughts of pumpkin pie and eggnog, but four centuries ago it was at the heart of early sea exploration and a dark and bloody history with an unexpected twist.  (For the record, nutmeg is from the fruit of the Myristica fragrans tree with mace the red coating around the seed.)

Two years ago I traveled through the Banda Islands, the “Spice Islands”, in eastern Indonesia.  I visited fishing villages, small ports, the remains of forts and nutmeg plantations and gained a glimpse of colonization, the beginnings of globalization and a surprising real estate deal.

As early as the Middle Ages Arab sailors traded nutmeg.  Nutmeg could only be found in this small group of islands. Eventually nutmeg made its way to Europe where it was valued for its medicinal effect as it was believed to be the cure for several ailments and preventative for the black plague, which had recently ravaged the continent.  It was exotic and potent enough to cause hallucinations. 

Nutmeg was a status symbol, a sign of wealth, and the spice of the upper class. The price skyrocketed and the Arab traders were careful not to divulge the location of the “Spice Islands.”  It wasn’t until the early 16th century that these islands were discovered by Europe with the Portuguese first to arrive followed by the Spanish, English and Dutch. There was fierce competition to control the trade and horrific atrocities were committed among themselves and especially against the local people.   

Three hundred and fifty years ago today, July 31, 1667, the Dutch and British signed the Treaty of Breda ending these “Spice Wars”.  The treaty included an interesting twist. The British gave up control of the island of Run, giving the Dutch a monopoly over nutmeg and, in exchange, for Run, the Dutch traded the island of New Amsterdam, today New York City. 

The Banda Islands continued to be the sole source of nutmeg under the Dutch VOC (Dutch West India Company) until the early 19th century when nutmeg trees were smuggled out.  With this Run’s importance slipped away. 

The Banda Islands are now under consideration as a UNESCO historical site and we all know what happened to New York City.

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Return to Tana Toraja

After twenty years I returned to one of Indonesia's most beautiful places in the highlands of South Sulawesi, Tana Toraja.  Though now deeply Christian animist beliefs remain and are most visible in customs surrounding death. 

Traffic grinds to a halt in an unexpected place far from town.  Trucks, packed with family and friends bring water buffalo and pigs, as "gifts" to honor the deceased, jam the road.

"Whose pig is this?' is repeated over the loudspeaker as large groups of people enter the funeral grounds.  In response, guests identify themselves, their village and the number of "gifts" they have brought.  This includes an elaborate system of recording the "gifts, as they become debts to the family of the deceased.  

Funeral ceremonies take place weeks, months or even years after a death. This gives the family time to raise the money needed to cover funeral expenses. The richer and more powerful the individual, the more expensive the funeral.  A large part of these expenses includes purchasing water buffalo and pigs. A particularly prized pink and black buffalo can cost the family up to two thousand dollars.

As I enter the funeral grounds I spot the location where the water buffalo and pigs are being sacrificed. Torajans believe these animals help carry the soul to the afterlife. A large group of people form a circle solemnly chanting. School groups perform in a more celebratory tone.

Finally, the deceased is buried in either a cave carved by hand into a rocky mountain or in a wooden casket hung on the underside of a cliff.  Wooden effigies keep watch over the burial site.

Although Tana Toraja is most well known for these spectacular burial rites the surrounding landscape is stunning. Productive and expansive rice fields edged by jagged mountains produce three crops each year instead of the more typical two providing the resources for their elaborate customs.

Clusters of traditional Torajan houses with their dramatic boat shaped roofs are found throughout the region.  These roofs plus the red, black, yellow and white carved motifs is a striking image against the lush landscape.

In recent years global markets have created international recognition for Torajan coffee that flourishes in the cooler climate of these highlands.  Well worth a try if you come across some.

After twenty years traditional culture remains strong. I hope it doesn’t take me as long to return next time. 

Enjoy the images I've selected in my gallery.  

If you want to know when I add a new blog or gallery add your email at:  STAY in TOUCH

Hokkaido in Winter

Hokkaido, the northern most island of Japan is home to striking landscapes, some of the world’s largest eagles and Japan’s iconic Red-Crowned Crane. I recently spent nine days there on a wildlife photo tour led by Martin Bailey and a wonderful group of photographers.  I was prepared for Hokkaido’s harsh winter weather with lots of layers. I was looking forward to photographing during snowfall and the challenges of capturing wildlife. 

Red-Crowned Cranes at Otowa Bridge

Cranes are familiar from Japanese prints. These stately birds stand more than 5 feet (taller than me) with a wingspan of about 8 feet.  The cranes sleep along a riverbed protected from their predators. If morning temperatures are just right a type of frost (hoarfrost) creates a unique photographic opportunity. At the crane center I never tired of watching the crane’s courting dances and mating calls. Finally it started snowing and this provided a wonderful opportunity to photograph the cranes. A small group of deer was an added bonus.  The images captured in the snow are among my favorites.  

Akan Internatonal Crane Center

Another highlight was Rausu a fishing village on the east coast of Hokkaido. In winter there are large numbers of Steller’s Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles that rest on the sea ice that drifts down from Siberia. Once a circling eagle spots a fish he dives down to grab his catch. With wingspans of about 8 feet this is an impressive sight. I really enjoyed the excitement of photographing birds in flight.  

Steller's Seal Eagle

You can see additional images at Latest Work / Hokkaido

Japanese Snow Monkeys

Jigokudani, home of the world-famous snow monkeys, is a three to four hour drive from Tokyo and close to the quaint town of Nagano. These Japanese Macaques are known as snow monkeys because they live in an area covered with snow several months of the year.  To keep warm they huddle together and enjoy the hot springs common in Japan.  They spend endless hours   grooming one another. They're incredible creatures to watch, their hands and facial expressions so human like. Because they’re indifferent to visitors it’s possible to spend hours in their company, observing and photographing. You can see additional images of snow monkeys in my Japan-Snow Monkeys gallery. 

Clicking on this image will take you to the Japan-Snow Monkeys gallery.

Calendar Contest

The Indonesian Heritage Society publishes a calendar every year.  The theme for the 2016 Calendar is Street Life Urban and Rural.  Two of my images were selected.  

High Hopes  This  first image was taken in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 20, 2014 - Inauguration Day - during the first ever inaugural street parade.  The high hopes for Indonesia's new president, Joko Widodo called "Jokowi", was evident by the enthusiasm and determinaton on people's faces. 

Clicking on this image will take you to the Indonesia - Banten gallery.

Morning Walk This second image was taken in the western part of the island of Java in an Outer Baduy village .  The Baduy people have limited contact with the outside world.  In the early morning this woman came across a bamboo bridge on her way to a neighboring village with rice barns bordering her path.  You can see additional images of the Baduy area in the Indonesia - Banten gallery. 

Welcome

Welcome to the soft launch of my website.  I welcome your comments.  

Off to Flores for a harvest celebration and overland travel.  Check out the gallery on Flores-Waerebo for a preview of more to come. 

Goal for 2015  -  INSTAGRAM at DEBRA.S.WALLACE