NatureArt Lab Blog

For the first time in my life I observed more mammal species than reptile species (mammal diversity is often hard to observe), and encountered life-changing experiences like a clouded leopard feeding on a palm civet up on a tree, which I got to capture with my lens after waiting for almost two hours. This blog relates the experiences of Dr Damien Esquerre, co-leader and photography tutor on our twelve day nature photography trip to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo from 2 - 14 May 2019. 

The NatureArt visit to Montague Island brought together people with shared interests in art and the synthesis between art and the natural history of the island. Explorations of bird species, marine and insect life provided much interest for the group, with artists enjoying a series of workshops with well-known artist and NatureArt Lab tutor Lesley Wallington. Chris Davey provided the scientific expertise and guided many nature walks around the island morning and evening to see the many species that make Montague home. Highlights for the visit were the thousands of crested terns and silver gulls that breed on the island at this time of the year. Observation of the birds' nesting and parental behaviours, plus the constant challenges that these species face as they raise their young is endlessly fascinating.