Photography and our beautiful Nature, the story behind the photos
The story behind the photos...
the Birth of a Saltwater Crocodile.
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Here is the answer to my recent post in Face Book; What do you think this is?
Very cute but ever so bizarre looking… it is a Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) Embryo inside the egg at about 20 plus days old.
…no digital or computer manipulation shot on Kodachrome film bracketing like crazy to get this image, not an easy task them days.
It was many years ago that I had the opportunity to work with Professor Dr. Graham Webb who is one of the world leading experts on Crocodiles in Australia.
A super cool and great guy to work with, he was also the first person to scientifically prove the actual gallop movement of the Crocodiles.
The research took us deep into the swamps of the Northern Territory collecting eggs from the female Saltwater Crocodiles, I might mention this was not a risk free endeavor, collecting eggs while the large female Croc was hanging around near by. (they can grow easily over 20 feet and the largest one on records is believed to have been some 30 feet.)
Scientific measurements were taken at the nesting site; like temperature readings, number of eggs in individual nest's and of course the exact location. Then the eggs were collected for research and conservation, and back at the laboratory placed in an incubator until they hatched.
Later they were released back into the wild; it was during this time that crocodile numbers had declined due to hunting for their precious skin.
It was the dedication and efforts of guys like Professor Dr. Graham Webb who in the end reversed the decline of this magnificent "prehistoric" predator.
I published articles in the past for international Magazines during the time of the research, in particular the photographic capture of a true gallop by a fresh water crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) and after going through my archive the other day I decided to share some of these almost forgotten images with you.
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True gallop by a fresh water crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
On a personal note; I like to thank all those researchers for their timeless effort helping in preserving our fragile nature and environment.
GD
Travel Photography: Water is life… traveling during the stormy rainy season can be rewarding for your Photography
Water is life… it’s fury can be devastating
but it can also be tranquil and enchanting.
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The photo above was taken some years ago with my old trusted Minolta X700 film camera in a Hugyfot underwater housing during the hight of Typhoon "Huaning" right at Manila Bay, note the lone person in the background. Make sure you take good care during this Monsoon and Typhoon season!
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Photo above: worshipping the sacred waters of Phnom Kulen.
...two years after Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III in AD 800.
King Jayavarman II ascended to the top of Mahendraparvata (today’s Phnom Kulen), and declared independence from the island of Java. There he proclaimed himself devaraja, heavenly ruler of the ancient Cambodian religion and cult of the “god-king”, and founded the Khmer Empire.
A devout leader, King Jayavarma II soon had the river on the mountain hilltop diverted in order to carve hundreds of lingas into the riverbed, hence its name – river of a thousand lingas. In the event, Mount Kulen was blessed and beatified.
Above text Courtesy of my good friend Jamie Irenaliena Keet from our joint article in the Asian Geographic Magazine "The hidden treasures of Phnom Kulen."
Our bodies are largely made of water, as is much of the food we eat. Without water, we could not exist… it is that simple.
In some countries we worship water and in others parts of the world we take it for granted, it is more precious then anything else on our planet.
Water… the reason for my post today; the Typhoon/rainy season has started with our first tropical storm blowing outside my window.
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The rainy season has arrived…Palawan, Philippines
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Lightning storm over Manila Bay, Philippines
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The towers of Angkor Wat reflecting in the Water pools
during the wet season, Cambodia
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Flood plains of Northern Australia during the wet-season
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Dramatic cloud formation during the monsoon, Palawan Philippines
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Bathing and worship in the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
I captured many "wet" images during my travels, experiencing the good, the bad and the ugly, crossing mighty rivers, wading through flood revenged areas or just sitting along side beautiful and tranquil lagoons watching the sun go down.
Covering many countries, the selected images on this post showcasing water in its fury and tranquility, its direct connection between man and nature.
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Unfortunate street children during the
Monsoon season, Philippines
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During a tropical rain shower children selling sampaguita
flowers to passing cars, Philippines
Teaming with life…whistling Ducks on a Billabong
(fresh water pond) just before the wet season, Northern Australia
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Shimmering leafs in a small stream, north Queensland, Australia
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"Merging" with the water, teenagers having fun in the
Phnom Kulen river, Cambodia
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Rainforest and waterfall during the wet season in Palau, Micronesia
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Simply Nature…Phnom Kulen during wet season, Cambodia
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Monsoon time in Cambodia 
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Nature and man made… wet season in Cambodia
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Fishing… Water the source of life…Laos
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Wet season storm approching in the Pacific, near Chuuk, Micronesia
It is not only freshwater that we need for our survival but also our Oceans that support us with life.
Water is so precious and man has the "intelligence" to protect our oceans and natural resources, so please don't take water for granted; we’re lucky (some nations are not) to be blessed with this amazing liquid we call water.
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Aerial view of the Northern Territory Flood Plains
during the wet season, Australia
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Enjoying a tropical downpour, Battambang, Cambodia
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Simply Nature… water the source of Life, Phnom Kulen, Cambodia
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"Taken shelter" from a tropical rain shower, island of Chuuk, Micronesia
Tip:
If you do go out during these rainy days make sure to pack some water proofing; a raincoat and a "Condom" for your camera and of course a good water proof camera bag.
But most important, take care of yourself and watch out during strong storms and Typhoons… remember Safety first!
GD
Just one more…
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Photo composite; we have to take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Part two; Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - rare photos of ceremonial & tribal Aboriginals from Arnhem Land, Australia.
The story behind the photos… Tribal Aboriginals from their sacred land in Arnhem Land to rare ancient rock art & burial ceremonies. (Part two)
Dreamtime… tribal elder, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Seldom seen images that date back some 30 years, shot on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age.
Going back in time…Dreamtime “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines,
Part two. Arnhem Land Northern Territory.
Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives, and I also had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
There were many more images I saw, but could NOT record them in respect for the Aboriginals and their believes, recorded only with my eyes, but the memory still lives very deep inside of me.
“At times I am very contend to take home the memory, instead of pursuing the image, this in turn will gain you respect.”-GD-
Tribal elder in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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During the mid 80th I visited Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park many times, and during the cause of my visits became friends with some Aboriginal tribal elders. I am grateful for their spiritual guidance that I got to know some places seldom visited by others.
But even more important, I learned how to take care of our environment and only take from the land what is needed to survive.
I like to thank my dear old friend “Nipper” for his friendship and trust for allowing me into areas normally not visited by any outsiders.
Hunting in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Australia's Aboriginal culture probably represents the oldest surviving culture in the world, with the use of stone tool technology and painting with red ochre pigment dating back over 60,000 years.
Arnhem Land is strictly an Aboriginal Reserve located next to Kakadu National Park in the tropical north of Australia. Travel to outside persons is restricted and visitors must obtain an entry permit.
Mysterious Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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There are no paved roads and getting around is difficult most of the time but in particular during the wet season when rivers swell and flood the swampy marches. The rivers, swamps and billabongs are also abundant with the large Australian Salt Water Crocodiles and care should be taken when camping near waterways.
An alternative to Arnhem Land is to visit Kakadu National park, which is more accessible, and the Aboriginals left their mark here too, in particular at Obirri Rock, a fantastic gallery of detailed ancient rock art. Or a visit to the spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Waterfalls along the Arnhem Land Escarpment is just breathtaking.
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The Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) is a tall long-necked wading bird in the stork family. It is a resident species across south and southeast Asia with a large population in Australia and is very common at “Yellow Waters” in Kakadu National Park.
A visit to Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park is a must once in the area, a swamp (flood plains) with its amazing variety and abundant of wildlife, huge congregation of water fowls, white breasted sea eagles on trees, monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles that make this area a haven for wildlife photographers.
The Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory have left a great legacy of their culture in the form of art that can be found in caves and rock overhangs where it is protected from the elements. One of the richest of these areas is in Kakadu National Park, the traditional lands of the Gagudju people, in the Top End, west Arnhem Land. There are superb examples of Rock Art in the galleries of Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr, where you can view them easily.
Selection of not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Compared to the arid region in Central Australia, it comes as no surprise with such an abundance of wildlife in the area that in ancient times the aboriginal artist had a lot of motives for their rock art. The area is not only a source of food but played an important role in their spiritual life “The Dreamtime”.
Ubirr, or Obiri Rock for example in the north east of Kakadu, has some of the finest examples of "X-ray art" in the world. The artist not only painted the outside but also the bones and internal organs of the animals, mostly fish like barramundi, but also turtles, birds and reptiles.
A rare detailed painting of an unusual "Hand stencil", more of a
painting then the commonly found Hand stencils.
Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Hand Stencils are also common all over Australia and some can be dated to 50,000 years old. Aboriginal rock art was still being retouched during my visits in the 80th as seen in the photos from Arnhem Land, thus making it the world’s longest lasting artistic tradition at that time.
Aboriginal art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Detailed Bark painting from Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal rock art being retouched in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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A not so common rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Dreamtime… Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Rock-art in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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The “Ruined City” near the Roper River Aboriginal settlement in Arnhem Land is called also “ruined city of the Moon.” The Aboriginals call this place “Burrangie” the legendary home of giant people who live in the realm of dreamtime.
The “Ruined City” is considered and ultra-sacred Aboriginal site and is strictly off-limits to outsiders.
The "Ruined City" before sunrise in Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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In the early 80th I was extremely lucky to gain permission from the tribal elders in visiting and exploring the area on foot for a couple of days. This is an amazing and eerie place and no wonder it is considered very sacred to the local Aboriginal tribe.
Burial Cave in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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After my visit to the “Ruined City” a burial ceremony took place a few days later at the Roper River aboriginal settlement and after some discussions with the Elders I was permitted to take part in this ceremony…well at least for the first part of the burial, an experience that I never forget.
As for the second part of the ceremony, the elders denied permission and no outsiders were allowed to take part, it is known as the most sacred part of the burial ceremony.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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This is another important time for ceremonies on the death of a person, when people paint themselves white as seen in my photos, cut their own bodies to show their remorse for the loss of their loved one, and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birth place, from where it can later be reborn.
Burial ceremony Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory, Australia
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Burial ceremony Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
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Bathurst Island, home of the Tiwi people, just of the coast of Darwin the capital of the Northern Territory. The facial and body painting of the people here have been described as the most colorful and elaborate of any Australian group.
Bathurst Island - The decorations essentially relate to the Tiwi people occasions for major ceremonies, for example the pukumani (mortuary or burial) by painting their bodies with white clay and pulling out their beards.
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A deep red ochre is obtained from the oval polished red stones found on the beach, which are ground then mixed with water; yellow is obtained from a soft yellow ochre stone, also ground to a powder. (The Tiwi sometimes burn the yellow to produce red.) White is generally taken from a clay found all over the island, and black is obtained from charcoal.
Traditional food sources... Northern Territory, Australia
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Aboriginal women collecting fresh water turtles and File snakes in the vast swamps of the Northern Territory. (Freshwater streams and billabongs of the Northern Territory are home to the non-venomous file snakes; the Arafura file snake gets its name from its rough, baggy skin, which feels like a file. A nocturnal reptile, the Arafura file snake keeps in the shadows of overhanging trees during the day and forages for food during the night.)
Dingo running across the dry flood plains in
northern Australia, Northern Territory,
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The Australian Dingo plays an important role in Aboriginal society but they did not arrive in Australia with the first aboriginals some 60,000 years ago as previously thought.
They arrived some 6000 years ago in Australia and were then adopted by the native aboriginals. Dingo bones first appear in faunal deposits between about 3500 and 4000 BP.
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some information on the Australian Aboriginals; they are also a good source for further and more detailed reading. Thank You!
GD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-necked_Stork
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_mythology/index1.htm
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/religion.shtml
http://ozoutback.com.au/Australia/rockartkakadu/index.html
Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - part one; rare & historical photos of tribal Aboriginals from Central Australia
The story behind the photos… rare photos of tribal Aboriginals in their sacred
land from Central Australia (part one) & Arnhem Land, (part two) Australia
Corroboree - Central Australia,
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A journey through Australia’s past, “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines, a two-part series on this Blog.
Rare and seldom seen images that date back more than 30 years, taken on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age, manipulation and Computers as we know it today.
Images that can never be repeated again, but still represent an important part of Australia’s Culture and Heritage for many years to come.
Part one and two will introduce you to some of these unique images with some explanation on the culture, history and some sacred sites. Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives and I had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.
Aboriginal Ceremony near Katherine south of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
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I was fortunately enough to experience some of this amazing culture first hand during the late 70th and mid 80th taken part in tribal ceremonies, visited remote areas in Central Australia, took part of a Burial Ceremony and traveled to sacred parts in Arnhem Land, northern Australia.
I also witnessed how Aboriginals would take care of our environment, taken only what they needed from the land, an important lesson that I treasure to this day.
Corroboree - At corroboree's Aborigines interact with the Dreamtime through dance, music and costume. Many ceremonies act out events from the Dreamtime. Many of the ceremonies are sacred and people from outside a community are not permitted to participate or watch. "Their bodies painted in different ways, and they wore various adornments, which were not used every day."
Traditional song and dance is very much a part of any Corroboree, using clap sticks or bilma
and of course the famous Australian Didgeridoo - Central Australia.
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Recent scientific evidence shows, Aborigines arrived in Australia more than 50,000 years ago and some traditions and beliefs are followed to this present day in remote parts of Arnhem Land.
Some color images (slides) had to be turned into black and white due their color fading over the years, however they still represent this unique culture through Australia’s past.
Central Australia, Corroboree
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Central Australia, Corroboree
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Women preparing themselves as part of a rare
Central Australian Corroboree by applying
elaborate body paint
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Indigenous Australians' oral tradition and spiritual values are based upon reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime, The Dreaming is considered to be both the ancient time of creation and the present day reality of Dreaming. There are many different groups, each with their own individual culture, belief structure and language.
Aerial view of ULURU
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Tribal Elder at ULURU (Ayers Rock) Central Australia
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So lets start with part one and the most sacred site in Australia…Ayers Rock or know to the Aborigines as “ULURU”
Located in Central Australia in the outback is a massive slab of rock know to local Aboriginal tribes as Uluru. Year’s later western explorers named it Ayers Rock after an explorer and the name stuck. Aboriginal people believe Uluru is the origin of life and the center of the universe.
The word Uluru means, “the all-knowing and everlasting” this giant freestanding rock is indeed the most sacred site in Australia to the Aboriginal people and an awesome site for any visitor.
Aerial view of the OLGAS showing Ayers Rock in the distance,
Central Australia
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But there are so many other mystical places in the Center that played an important role for the Aboriginal Dreamtime, places like the Olgas some 30 miles west of Ayers Rock, remote and spectacular Kings Canyon, Palm Valley an Oasis in the desert, Chambers Pillar or Rainbow Valley just south of Alice Springs.
A rainbow over Rainbow Valley, a very rare event in the desert region of Central Australia.
This rock formation is actually called Rainbow Valley due to its coloring at the rock face.
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The remote but beautiful Palm Valley in the Alice Springs region of Central Australia
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The method of applying colored earth to the body varies depending on purpose. In most areas, before hunting, The men roughly smeared their bodies with ochre. In southern areas, white settlers' journals often mention the practice of smearing the whole body with earth, colored charcoal and animal fat, ostensibly to camouflage smell, but probably also to maintain body temperature.
Corroboree's can last over many days pending on the type of ceremony.
Central Australia
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
Central Australia
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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In tropical areas, coating the skin with earth and fat kept sand flies and mosquitoes at a distance. Much has been said about the decorative and ritual functions of body painting. However, paint on the body has other uses less concerned with painted designs. Paint, specifically ochre, is applied to the body as a coating for protection in fighting.
Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night
and can last over several days.Central Australia.
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Aborigine carrying a Bark painting as part of this particular dance ceremony - Corroboree.
Central Australia.
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
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Stay tuned for part two, Vanishing Cultures and Tradition from the remote and sacred parts in Arnhem Land…the Ruined City and a special burial ceremony.
GD
Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some of my research on the Australian Aboriginals, they are also a good source for further and more detailed information. Thank You!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corroboree
http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_bodylivingart/index1.htm
http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_sites1/index1.htm
http://www.janesoceania.com/australian_aboriginal_music/index1.htm
Photography: “The Wild One” the story behind the image
The story behind the Image...
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"The Wild One" Queensland, Australia, Kodachrome 25 ASA
“The Wild One”, Queensland, Australia 1984. I had been assigned to cover Australia’s National Parks for a publisher to do a book called “Australia’s National Wonders”. On the way to this amazing rock formation I picked up this hitchhiker. We started a conversation and I told her that I give her a lift to the next town but had to go first to this Park with this rock formation.
I ask her if she would mind posing as a model for some additional shots…sure, that’s OK!” she said, but what am I going to wear? I only have my Jeans and T-shirt on me and there are no stores out here.
Then I had this idea…we pulled up on gas station and I bought some leather chamois for cleaning the windshield.
Once we arrived at my location a few hour later (remember vast distances in Australia) I sat down and started to work ripping the chamois to pieces, roughed it up with some rocks and used my trusty Swiss army knife for the final touches creating a brand new outfit for her.
A true story and the image is the outcome of that effort.
Kodachrome 25 ASA, 200mm f:2.8 lens
GD
Photography: Sometimes you need a bit of luck, the story behind the photo.
The story behind the images.
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Rainbow Valley - Northern Territory Central Australia
I was living at the time in Alice Springs and like many times before checking the weather pattern in the sky…hmmm, maybe if I am lucky and drive down to Rainbow Valley I get some nice cloud formations over the colorful rock face.
But nothing prepared me for what the weather had in store for me that day, I jumped into my 4X4 wheel drive and set off on jet another visit to Rainbow Valley.
A visit like so many times before to one my favorite locations south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, located in the Dessert where temperatures can soar into the 50°C. During the month from November to February this region of Australia is getting the occasional rain storms, when wildflowers appearing out of nowhere and dramatic skies above adding yet another dimension to this desert region of Australia.
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Near Rainbow Valley - after the rain Wild flowers on red
sand dunes, Northern Territory Central Australia
I arrived around 3:00PM waiting patiently and watching the sky, then all of a sudden about an hour or so later, all hell broke loose and this time luck was on my side, an amazing weather spectacle unfolded right in front of my eyes in the beautiful late afternoon light.
The rock formation is called Rainbow Valley, but the weather condition that day added certainly a rare touch to it…there I was, the perfect rainbow (double) unfolded right in front of my eyes over this amazing rock formation. A first for me... and as I found out later, one of the first Rainbows ever recorded over Rainbow Valley.
Once the storms have past Central Australia is returning to clear blue skies where wild flowers grow on red sand dunes for only a few month of the year. A tough time to travel for sure... but for me it is the best time for Photography in the Australian outback.
It was my lucky day for sure, I "burned" one roll after the other, shooting vertical & horizontal images, bracketing the exposure...no LCD them days.
I might add…no Photoshop…no manipulation…no Digital Camera…just plain and simple Kodachrome 25 ASA film and a bit of luck on my side.
Rainbow Valley is located about 75 km south of Alice Springs along the Stuart Hwy, and about 22 km east of the highway along a dirt road. In the summer temperatures commonly rise above 50°C .
The main features of the Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve are its spectacular red sandstone bluffs and cliffs. These free standing cliffs form part of the James Range, and are particularly attractive late afternoon when rainbow-like bands of differently colored rock are highlighted.
(hence the reason for its name Rainbow Valley)
GD
Travel Photography: A Tribute to Kodachrome, the last roll is on the road with Steve McCurry
My Tribute to Kodachrome...
I am glad it is Steve McCurry who has taken the last roll of Kodachrome on the road for its final Journey, who else could do it better justice then him. Kodak gave the last roll ever produced to McCurry. Read the article on the last roll of Kodachrome
Of course there where so many others who loved, treasured and created some amazing images with this extraordinary film, legends like Ernst Haas, Pete Turner and Eric Meola used it all.
© Gunther Deichmann - Bathurst Island NT Australia 1980
© Gunther Deichmann - Outback Cattle Muster Tennant Creek
N.T. Australia1983
© Gunther Deichmann - Tennant Creek N.T. Australia 1983
© Gunther Deichmann - Thorny Devil near Alice Springs
N.T. Australia1983
I can't remember how many rolls I have shot prior the digital age, thousands I guess and the slides which are still with me look as good then ever. I used Kodachrome exclusively in Australia and in many other parts of the world, on my Magazine assignment covering the Mekong River in 1992 I carried no less than 300 rolls with me.
© Gunther Deichmann - APSARA Dancer Phnom Penh,
Cambodia 1992
© Gunther Deichmann - Outback Railway station, Australia 1982
© Gunther Deichmann - Spain 1991
Sydney Australia 1995
© Gunther Deichmann - Paris France 1991 shot with
Kodachrome Tungsten film 40 ASA
Would I shoot Kodachrome again if I had the chance? The answer is yes...I just love this "canvas." Unforgiving... but so true to its saturation, performance and stability, in my opinion it was the best film ever made.
The images on this post are all shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA except for the photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, here I used the hard to get Kodachrome Tungsten film at 40 ASA.
GD
A blast from the past...an Australian Calendar. Using Aperture 3 slide show, Motion & GarageBand an awesome combination…
QT 1:05 min.
A little spring-clean the other day revealed an old treasure from some 24 years ago.
Securely tucked away I spotted this old Calendar, which I produced many moons ago for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission in Australia. (the Calendar was a bit creased and crinkled but ok otherwise)
Wow …memories starting to buzz in my head… oh boy, do I remember this one!
24 years later…technology brings an old project back to life; sometimes it is nice to go back in time.
“This is like a 25 year anniversary for me since the project started in 1985.”
To cut a long story short we did some reproduction of this long forgotten marvel and after some cropping and adjusting the pages were ready for an update.
I used Aperture 3.0.3 for the editing and the final slide show, Motion from Final Cut Studio for the intro, and the Soundtrack I created again in GarageBand.
In the good old days we had no computers, everything was shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA with the exception of the moon, and in two other layouts I added the clouds manually via duplicating the film, adding the elements.
All Photos taken on locations in the Northern Territory of Australia…with some places extremely remote and difficult to reach.
At Ayers Rock we used an old fashion pushbike that we had repainted and restored, at the Olga’s the parachute setup looked simple, but the Girl almost drifted away as the wind picked up.
On the first day at Rainbow Valley the Camels didn’t arrive on time, so we had to come back the next day and get the Job done. The dresses for the girls (BTW Identical Twins) in this shot had been specially designed and tailored for this setup.
Devils Marbles…setting up a Hang Glider on these two Rocks proved to be dangerous and a real challenge, crossing our fingers that no wind gust blowing the hang glider of the rocks including our model. To top it off, the ladders we used to get everything on top of these two balancing rocks where about 2 feet to short; solving these problems on location can be quiet a challenge in the outback miles from nowhere.
Then to Palm Valley… the track to Palm Valley is only accessible with a 4WD vehicle, following the usually dry bed of the Finke River. Within the Finke Gorge National Park, is an east-west running valley in the Krichauff Range 123 km (138 km by road) southwest of Alice Springs.
Kings Canyon… a tough climb and a long walk, Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1,316 km south of Darwin.
Kakadu National Park… getting the Girls into the Kayak at Yellow Waters proved to be exciting but also very stressful, there are plenty of very large Saltwater Crocodiles around. My assistant kept a lookout with binoculars just in case, of course we had a larger boat right next to the Kayak where I was shooting.
BTW…the original color of the Kayak was white, I had it re-painted in red just for this shot.
Another cool location was Katherine Gorge, walking for hours to get to the 7th Gorge. Katherine Gorge is not just one spectacular Gorge but a series of 13 gorges along the Katherine River.
At Fog Dam we transported a complete dinning set into the swamp, another extreme, timing was of the essence here. I also flew in an Aboriginal friend of mine from the island of Bathurst just of the coast of Darwin, and the fish for dinner…that is another story.
The Gove Peninsula was some how difficult, far away at the top end of the Northern Territory, but luck was on our side. A Coast Guard Plane was parked at the airport so
I ask the pilot if he could do a few fly over for us…. which he did.
At the Arnhem Land Escarpment and Twin Falls we used Helicopters due to their remoteness. Getting into the Twin falls proved even difficult by Chopper, bringing the Crew down one by one.
More or less that was it…of course I had a small but very efficient crew; all the Girls locals from the Northern Territory were absolutely great and comfortable in the Australian Outback. Shooting over four-month off and on, covering some enormous distances.
These were the days of film…no computers existed with Photoshop, but then that was the challenge…would I do it again? Of course… any time.
GD
Also on:
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMEJOURNEY#p/a/u/0/iMIjYGN4OcU
Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/guntherdeichmann
Nature Photography: Wetlands & wildlife of Kakadu National Park Northern Territory, Australia
"Nature's gift to man, so easily abused,
yet seldom appreciated." GD
Strangely no tech or Aperture 3 talk today...you might wonder why? Actually very simple...going through my PhotoShelter files the other day organizing my latest Photos from India and Nepal when I ended up in my other Galleries and got stuck somehow in Australia.
© Gunther Deichmann - Whistling Ducks at Sunset, Kakadu National Park
Photos I have taken long ago, a stark reminder that we should take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Images from one of my favorite places...the wetland of the Northern Territory, immense rich on fauna and flora, but if you ever venture to this part of the world you need time.
The best time for Birds for e.g. is just before the onset of the wet season when large groups of different Birds congregate at the remaining water holes or at the edges of swamps.
White-bellied Sea-eagles, Black-necked Storks or also called Jabirus (Aboriginal word) Whistling Ducks by the thousand and huge flogs of Magpie Geese and the ever present Kingfishers and Cockatoos. (see photos below)
The end of the dry season is just buzzing with life but not only with Birds there are Reptiles and interesting insect all around at small Billabongs and water holes.
© Gunther Deichmann - left: aerial over wetlands Kakadu National Park.
right: a single flower in a swamp during the wet season with
a storm brewing on the horizon
Keep an eye out also for the Frill-necked Lizard and if you lucky enough he might just run like you have never seen a Lizard run before... on his hind legs upright almost like a human posture, comical and amusing. (see him in action below)
Then of course the ever so impressive Saltwater crocodile who makes his home just about anywhere in the Top End of Australia...so beware where you go for a swim... you never know where one of these guys is waiting.
I am leaving next week for Palawan in the Philippines, another Natures Paradise getting a break from Manila it be interesting to see what awaits me on Dimakya Island also the Home of my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center.
Dimakya Island undoubtedly one of Asia’s Eden, the Philippine’s Last Frontier and the Calamianes group of Islands is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets among travel destinations and at the same time the Home of Club Paradise.
My Blog posts and Tweets will be a bit thin starting next week, but I make up for it after my return in about a week,reporting more from this great destination in the Philippines.
See below some excepts from Wikipedia & more photographs with Links to the wetland and wildlife of northern Australia in particular Kakadu National Park and surrounding areas.
GD
Kakadu's flora is among the richest in northern Australia with more than 1700 plant species recorded which is a result of the Park's geological, landform and habitat diversity. Kakadu is also considered to be one of the most weed free national parks in the world.
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of ‘Gagadju’ which is the name of an Aboriginal language spoken in the northern part of the Park. Kakadu is ecologically and biologically diverse. The main natural features protected within the National Park include:
four major river systems:
East Alligator River,
West Alligator River,
Wildman River;
and the entire South Alligator River;
Kakadu National Park is also UNESCO World Heritage Site
The environment referred to as ‘the Stone Country’ features ‘resurrection grasses’ that are able to cope with extreme heat and long dry spells followed by periods of torrential rain. Monsoon forests often develop in the cool moist gorges dissecting the stone country. The southern hills and basins support several endemic plants that are only found in Kakadu such as Eucalyptus koolpinensis near Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge). Lowland areas form a large proportion of Kakadu National Park and are mainly covered in eucalypt-dominated open woodland with the ground layer consisting of a large range of grasses including spear grass, sedges and wildflowers.
© Gunther Deichmann - Water Lily at sunset
The floodplains, which are inundated for several months each year, feature sedges such as spike rush as well patches of freshwater mangroves (itchy tree), pandanus and paper bark trees (Melaleuca). Varieties of water lilies, such as the blue, yellow and white snowflake, are commonly found in these areas. Estuaries and tidal flats are populated with varieties of mangroves (39 of the 47 Northern Territory species of mangrove occur in Kakadu) that are important for stabilizing the coastline. Mangroves serve as feeding and breeding grounds for many fish species including the barramundi.
© Gunther Deichmann - Salt Water Crocodile at yellow waters
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia
On the tidal flats behind the mangroves, hardy succulents (samphire), grasses and sedges grow. Isolated pockets of monsoon forest grow along the coast and river banks. These forests contain several impressive trees, among them the banyan fig, which can be recognized by its large, spreading aerial roots, and the kapok tree, which has a spiny trunk, large, waxy red flowers and pods full of cotton-like material.
© Gunther Deichmann - left: White-bellied Sea-eagle Kakadu National Park
right: Jabirus at Yellow Waters Kakadu National Park
White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the White-bellied Fish-eagle or White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
It is resident from India through southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways. It is a distinctive bird. The adult has white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the largest raptors in Southeast Asia, and the second largest bird of prey in Australia after the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) which stands up to 1 m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_Sea_Eagle
Black-necked Stork
Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus- Family: Ciconiidae- Order: Ciconiiformes
The Jabiru isn't just a large stork, it's the only Australian stork. Often seen at yellow waters in Kakadu National Park Northern Territory Australia. More on Jabirus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabiru
The frill-necked lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also known as the frilled lizard or frilled dragon, is found mainly in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its name comes from the large frill around its neck, which usually stays folded against the lizard's body. The lizard's diet consists mainly of insects and small vertebrates. The frill-necked lizard is a relatively large lizard, reaching up to 91.4 cm in length.
© Gunther Deichmann - almost human like posture,
a Frill-necked Lizard on the run
The frill-necked lizard is so called because of the large ruff of skin which usually lies folded back against its head and neck. The neck frill is supported by long spines of cartilage which are connected to the jaw bones. When the lizard is frightened, it gapes its mouth, exposing a bright pink or yellow lining; the frill flares out as well, displaying bright orange and red scales. This reaction is often used to discourage predators or during courtship. The lizard is also capable of bipedal locomotion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipedal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frill-necked_Lizard
