The journal
Field Notes
Updates and musings.
Hinewai Reserve
An afternoon at Hinewai Reserve on Banks Peninsula — bellbirds, tomtits, and regenerating native bush.
Aerial Ocean Wildlife Photography
Photography notes from 15 helicopter flights over Kaikōura as a marine biology guide — shooting whales, and the odd alpine landing, from the air.
What's in my (wildlife photography) bag?
The Sony cameras and lenses in my wildlife photography bag, and why each earns its place.
My Precious…
A used Sony A7R IV arrives in the post — a third camera body for the underwater kit ahead of Antarctica.
Still alive. (Again.)
First big post-pandemic trip: back to the Galápagos, with Antarctica up next.
Bloodsucking Birds! The Vampire Finches of Wolf Island, Galapagos
Vampire finches of Wolf Island: Galapagos birds that drink blood.
Some Thoughts on Marine Wildlife Tourism
My full interview on responsible marine wildlife tourism, from a Condé Nast Traveler article.
The Birds of Eagleby Wetlands
A chance stop at Eagleby Wetlands turned out to be a gem — bird photos over on Nature Tripper.
A Wildlife Photographer's Guide to the Sony 135 f/1.8 GM Lens
Field notes on the Sony 135 mm f/1.8 GM for wildlife photography, written up on Nature Tripper.
Wildlife-Watching at Binna Burra
A freezing but excellent couple of nights in Lamington National Park, Australia.
New Podcast: Whale Sharks, with Me
Pontificating at length about whale sharks on the Scuba Goat podcast.
Ocean Giants – Interview Workflow
Moving MMF's Ocean Giants magazine to interview-based articles, and the workflow that makes it easy.
Ambling in Arakwal
Golden-hour wildlife photography in Arakwal National Park, Byron Bay — with a photo essay over on Nature Tripper.
Shark Photo-Identification: A How-To Guide (2021 Edition)
Launching a wobbegong photo-identification study at Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, with Sundive and MMF.
Revered Reefs: Tubbataha, Philippines
Some thoughts on Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park for Henley Spiers' article in Oceanographic magazine.
Double Leopards!
Josh Guyan tells the story behind our double-leopard encounter in Kruger National Park.
Rugs of Doom: wobbegong sharks eat big stuff
Wobbegongs will eat almost anything, including each other.
Still alive
Checking in after a strange year — Antarctica, a well-timed dash home to New Zealand, and a lockdown that worked.
Fluoro Fishies Enjoy Blacklight Discos. Honest.
Underwater fluorescence: how and why corals glow.
Do Whales Eat Sharks? Yes, & it's Pretty Amazing.
Sperm whales eat sharks: a surprising predator-prey relationship.
Marvellous Moustaches & Superpowered Sea Floofs
How seals use their whiskers to hunt in complete darkness.
Whale Shark Facts: The Awesome Stats On Earth's Largest Fish
Whale shark facts from a leading researcher: world's largest fish reaches 20m, lives 130 years, and dives 1,900m deep.
Tubbataha Reefs: a Conservation Success Story for Sharks
Tubbataha Reefs: a marine conservation success story. How this remote Philippine reef became a model for ocean protection.
Shark Tsunamis: Are They Possible?
Could sharknami's really be a thing?
Net Loss: Photographing Seabirds and Plastic Pollution in Norway
How seabirds are affected by plastic pollution. The devastating impact of marine debris on albatrosses, petrels, and other ocean birds.