8/18/09
Why elephants??
Why elephants?? With so many unique, gorgeous & threatened species in Africa, some may wonder why (or how) you could focus on just one?
When I first traveled to Botswana in '06, it was love love love! The people, wildlife, environment, lifestyle, pace, everything. In 2 short weeks, we saw everything; lions, cheetahs, leopards, cape buffalo, hyena, giraffe, gazelles, impala, hippos, jackals, monkeys, baboons, etc. etc. but the ONE thing I missed most, were the elephants. When I returned, all I could think about was elephants..I dreamed about them, researched them, read about them, sketched them, made countless doodles and collages, I was in love! Sometimes it seemed tiring, driving around on safari, (oh, poor me!) searching for more and more rare and exotic species to satisfy a tourist's checklist, when all I wanted was to sit and watch elephants all day...
Not only are they do they seem amazingly calm and zen-like to watch strolling around, casually feeding on grasses and leaves, but they are a unique species socially and cognitively. Elephants families are matriarchal. Each family unit is led by the oldest, dominant female, accompanied by sisters, daughters and grandchildren. Unlike almost any other species of animals, elephants are born with little to no natural instincts. Young calves have to be taught everything and adolescents males do not leave their mother's until about 10-12 years old and the females sometimes never leave their family units. If 2 older dominant females within a unit are both competitive in nature, one may leave a the unit with her calves to avoid competition for resources. Once males leave the matriarch, they spend much of their time in small bachelor groups, or roam about on their own.
The social behavior of elephants is what makes all the difference for me, it's what separates them from some other African wildlife species and why I am so intrigued by them. Each elephant seems to have a unique personality and there are distinct social relationships between matriarchal families. Elephants have been recorded mourning the death of a family member for days and even returning to their remains years after. There are greeting ceremonies, where family members have been apart for a few days or weeks and the levels of excitement vary depending on the closeness of the relationship. Females in a unit will babysit and care for each other's calves, teenagers will attempt to intervene in younger calves sparring matches that get a little to rough and when the herds are fat and healthy after the rains, researchers have seen entire family units running around playing and being silly in general.
Cynthia Moss is the leader in African elephant research, she is the Jane Goodall to elephants. She has been studying the elephants in Amboseli National Park in Kenya for nearly 30 years. Her book, Elephant Memories, is a fantastic read on elephant behavior and information on social structure. Her research methods of identifying individuals by ear shape and tusks and mapping out family units has become common practice among elephant researchers worldwide.
If anyone is very interested in elephants, I highly recommend reading it. It does contain an awful lot of information that only animal nerds like myself might find interesting, but it also starts each chapter with a fact-based story about elephant family life in Amboseli, which are all very touching.
I am especially interested in Cynthia's book because I am working in northern Tanzania, right along the border of Kenya, where Amboseli is. Elephant tracking data has shown that some herds from Amboseli migrate into west Kilimanjaro on a yearly basis. There might be a slight chance that I may be documenting some of Cynthia Moss's elephants! I don't know if the people I will be working with would be able to identify one herd as "Amboseli elephants" or particularly Cynthia's elephants, but it is exciting to think about, nonetheless.
So now I will have my chance to sit and simply watch elephants all day long. Of course, I will probably have to spend a fair amount of time locating them with a game scout, but I will be able to view them on my own time, without the pressure of finding as many animals as I can, like on safari. There will also be some aspects of this project that will not be so enjoyable. There is an anti-poaching squad that has the gruesome responsibility of seeking out elephants that have already been killed due to poachers and to seek out the poachers themselves...an aspect of elephant management that is too important for me not to document. But for the most part I will be focusing on the daily efforts of the elephant research camp and local elephant/human interactions. And enjoying my 10 months of camping in the middle of nowhere in Africa! aaahhhhhhhhhh......
here's a good YouTube video of elephants just being elephants, without the dramatic music or narration...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlZsQ8iU6M
When I first traveled to Botswana in '06, it was love love love! The people, wildlife, environment, lifestyle, pace, everything. In 2 short weeks, we saw everything; lions, cheetahs, leopards, cape buffalo, hyena, giraffe, gazelles, impala, hippos, jackals, monkeys, baboons, etc. etc. but the ONE thing I missed most, were the elephants. When I returned, all I could think about was elephants..I dreamed about them, researched them, read about them, sketched them, made countless doodles and collages, I was in love! Sometimes it seemed tiring, driving around on safari, (oh, poor me!) searching for more and more rare and exotic species to satisfy a tourist's checklist, when all I wanted was to sit and watch elephants all day...
Not only are they do they seem amazingly calm and zen-like to watch strolling around, casually feeding on grasses and leaves, but they are a unique species socially and cognitively. Elephants families are matriarchal. Each family unit is led by the oldest, dominant female, accompanied by sisters, daughters and grandchildren. Unlike almost any other species of animals, elephants are born with little to no natural instincts. Young calves have to be taught everything and adolescents males do not leave their mother's until about 10-12 years old and the females sometimes never leave their family units. If 2 older dominant females within a unit are both competitive in nature, one may leave a the unit with her calves to avoid competition for resources. Once males leave the matriarch, they spend much of their time in small bachelor groups, or roam about on their own.
The social behavior of elephants is what makes all the difference for me, it's what separates them from some other African wildlife species and why I am so intrigued by them. Each elephant seems to have a unique personality and there are distinct social relationships between matriarchal families. Elephants have been recorded mourning the death of a family member for days and even returning to their remains years after. There are greeting ceremonies, where family members have been apart for a few days or weeks and the levels of excitement vary depending on the closeness of the relationship. Females in a unit will babysit and care for each other's calves, teenagers will attempt to intervene in younger calves sparring matches that get a little to rough and when the herds are fat and healthy after the rains, researchers have seen entire family units running around playing and being silly in general.
Cynthia Moss is the leader in African elephant research, she is the Jane Goodall to elephants. She has been studying the elephants in Amboseli National Park in Kenya for nearly 30 years. Her book, Elephant Memories, is a fantastic read on elephant behavior and information on social structure. Her research methods of identifying individuals by ear shape and tusks and mapping out family units has become common practice among elephant researchers worldwide.
If anyone is very interested in elephants, I highly recommend reading it. It does contain an awful lot of information that only animal nerds like myself might find interesting, but it also starts each chapter with a fact-based story about elephant family life in Amboseli, which are all very touching.
I am especially interested in Cynthia's book because I am working in northern Tanzania, right along the border of Kenya, where Amboseli is. Elephant tracking data has shown that some herds from Amboseli migrate into west Kilimanjaro on a yearly basis. There might be a slight chance that I may be documenting some of Cynthia Moss's elephants! I don't know if the people I will be working with would be able to identify one herd as "Amboseli elephants" or particularly Cynthia's elephants, but it is exciting to think about, nonetheless.
So now I will have my chance to sit and simply watch elephants all day long. Of course, I will probably have to spend a fair amount of time locating them with a game scout, but I will be able to view them on my own time, without the pressure of finding as many animals as I can, like on safari. There will also be some aspects of this project that will not be so enjoyable. There is an anti-poaching squad that has the gruesome responsibility of seeking out elephants that have already been killed due to poachers and to seek out the poachers themselves...an aspect of elephant management that is too important for me not to document. But for the most part I will be focusing on the daily efforts of the elephant research camp and local elephant/human interactions. And enjoying my 10 months of camping in the middle of nowhere in Africa! aaahhhhhhhhhh......
here's a good YouTube video of elephants just being elephants, without the dramatic music or narration...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrlZsQ8iU6M
8/12/09
Fund Raising!
Here's a list of equipment I need to buy...which, after reading, you will understand why I am fund raising!!! A lot of this equipment in not covered by my grant, but are essential to the success of my project. The good thing is, once I complete my grant, I can sell my vehicle back. That money will then be used to thank every donor with a first edition, original, signed print from my trip and a public exhibit of my work on Cape Cod! (just think of how much that print will be worth when I'm a famous National Geographic photographer! ;)
I am hoping to raise $5,000 to help purchase this equipment.
If 200 people donate just $25, I would be able to reach this goal!!!
Please help me make the most of my Fulbright project!! Become a sponsor today!! If you are part of a business and would prefer to donate through a registered, non-profit organization, please contact me at liana.ras@gmail.com.
Thank you!!!!
I am hoping to raise $5,000 to help purchase this equipment.
If 200 people donate just $25, I would be able to reach this goal!!!
Please help me make the most of my Fulbright project!! Become a sponsor today!! If you are part of a business and would prefer to donate through a registered, non-profit organization, please contact me at liana.ras@gmail.com.
Thank you!!!!
details for equip. list
Below: top-bottom, left-right;
Some sort of used, 4wd vehicle. Kikoti said I'd be fine with a Suzuki, just for getting around the area. They are a bit cheaper than other safari vehicles...
$6-7,000
Canon EF 100-400 IS f/4.5-5.6 Zoom lens. Essential for wildlife photography. It would just be silly for me to go without a zoom lens.
$1,500
3 - OWC Mercury Elite AL Pro 1 Terabyte, 7200RPM, 32MB External Hard Drive
Honestly, I have no idea what this means... I need 3 separate external hard drives to back up all my photos and HD video; one to just dump everything on, another one to back it all up and one more in case of emergency or I need extra room. My roomate said that 3 terabytes would be enough and that this is a good, reliable brand.
$185/each ~ $555 total
Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars ...soooo awesome!! These binoculars have a huge range, so far that it makes you dizzy...until you press the Image Stabilize button on top and no matter how far off you're looking, the image just freezes! it's amazing, you have to try them! (and I got a connection!)
approx. $230
Manfrotto 701HDV fluid head with 547B tripod kit
A new tripod was not in my budget, but I was strongly advised by a professional wildlife photographer to invest in a new one because the one I have is not made for video. This is one is the best bang for your buck, and perfect for shooting video with my 5D Mark II.
(with connections) approx. $200
These are all things that are not in my budget. In all it is almost $9,000 worth of equipment! (ooyyyy) PLEASE HELP AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TODAY!!!!!!
Some sort of used, 4wd vehicle. Kikoti said I'd be fine with a Suzuki, just for getting around the area. They are a bit cheaper than other safari vehicles...
$6-7,000
Canon EF 100-400 IS f/4.5-5.6 Zoom lens. Essential for wildlife photography. It would just be silly for me to go without a zoom lens.
$1,500
3 - OWC Mercury Elite AL Pro 1 Terabyte, 7200RPM, 32MB External Hard Drive
Honestly, I have no idea what this means... I need 3 separate external hard drives to back up all my photos and HD video; one to just dump everything on, another one to back it all up and one more in case of emergency or I need extra room. My roomate said that 3 terabytes would be enough and that this is a good, reliable brand.
$185/each ~ $555 total
Canon 10x30 IS Binoculars ...soooo awesome!! These binoculars have a huge range, so far that it makes you dizzy...until you press the Image Stabilize button on top and no matter how far off you're looking, the image just freezes! it's amazing, you have to try them! (and I got a connection!)
approx. $230
Manfrotto 701HDV fluid head with 547B tripod kit
A new tripod was not in my budget, but I was strongly advised by a professional wildlife photographer to invest in a new one because the one I have is not made for video. This is one is the best bang for your buck, and perfect for shooting video with my 5D Mark II.
(with connections) approx. $200
These are all things that are not in my budget. In all it is almost $9,000 worth of equipment! (ooyyyy) PLEASE HELP AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TODAY!!!!!!
8/5/09
My home in West Kili
So this is the beautiful tent I will be living in for 10 months. It is 10'x14' and very well may be set up in my backyard in Brewster before I go! When I get to Arusha, I'll have to get a bed, (not a cot, like a real deal bed & frame) tables, chairs, etc. Maybe a few tent plants,...baby animals?......
7/31/09
Thank You to my donors!
I just want to put up a current list of everyone who has already donated to my project!!
This opportunity is sure to be one the most amazing trips of my life. The Fulbright is such a fantastic program to send students and teachers all over the world to study what they love and I am SO grateful to be one of those people.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the people who have donated!!!! Your contributions are making it possible for me to get all the equipment and supplies I need for 10 months of camping!! I truly cannot thank each one of you enough!
Current Donors:
Bernard McHugh
Ben Woods
Nik Pimental
Lexi Gaetano
Mark Hammond
Mary Lou Foley
Pat & Russ Bracewell
Carol Bracewell
Ron Rasmussen Sr.
Newtonville Camera
Scooter Software, Inc.
THANK YOUUUUUU!!!
This opportunity is sure to be one the most amazing trips of my life. The Fulbright is such a fantastic program to send students and teachers all over the world to study what they love and I am SO grateful to be one of those people.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the people who have donated!!!! Your contributions are making it possible for me to get all the equipment and supplies I need for 10 months of camping!! I truly cannot thank each one of you enough!
Current Donors:
Bernard McHugh
Ben Woods
Nik Pimental
Lexi Gaetano
Mark Hammond
Mary Lou Foley
Pat & Russ Bracewell
Carol Bracewell
Ron Rasmussen Sr.
Newtonville Camera
Scooter Software, Inc.
THANK YOUUUUUU!!!
7/29/09
NEW Cameraaa!!!!!!!!!
So, Monday I went to the camera store to buy a User Guide for the new Canon camera I was impatiently waiting for in the mail. I wondered when it might deliver, I never saw an email that it shipped, or a tracking number or anything. I was a little anxious, cause I didn't want to be at work and miss it when UPS came to deliver my sexy new camera, or, even worse, leave it sitting on my doorstep!
So I wandered around the store, dreaming about the new filters, memory cards, lenses and bags I was going to buy for my beautiful new camera...kinda like shopping for a pet... I finally left and headed home. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw it; a big square box with Canon labels on it SITTING ON MY DOORSTEP!!! I freaked out for a second, but quickly got over it, ran inside, screaming and tore open the package.
The GORGEOUS 5d Mark II is heavier than my last camera, which is not surprising at all, considering the last camera I bought was the Digital Rebel XSi, 3 years ago. Sadly, that great little camera is obsolete now, but will be a perfect back up. The lens that I got with my kit is surprisingly a great lens, not that Canon would pair such a fantastic body with a mediocre lens, but typically kit lenses aren't that great..that's cause they want you to buy a better one. The kit lens is a 24-105mm f/4, it will be great for landscapes and portraits!
Now, I think I have changed my mind about the Zoom lens I want to buy. I had picked out the 70-200 f2.8, but there will be so much overlap in range between the kit lens and that zoom, that I think I may go with the 100-400 f/4...? I'll have to bring my camera in and play with them both...oh boy!
7/27/09
Press Release!!!
I know this is a little too small to read, click the link below to see the full size image!
fbpress2009_1
fbpress2009_1
7/16/09
This guy came strolling right through our picnic area! He walked right in front of me, he was probably 15ft away from me at one point,..it was bananas!
I have decided that Giraffes live in slow motion. These Giraffes ran right past us, but it looked like they were moving sooo slow, but they are actually traveling so fast! Their stride is probably like, 12ft. and their necks kinda bob back & forth slowly, definitely the most uniquely built animals in Africa!
Zebras have the best booties in Africa!
New Fund Raising Goals
Slight change of plans...
I have changed my fund raising goals to focus on one thing I really need; a new Zoom lens. There is no way I will be able to raise enough to cover all the expensive equipment I would like to have, so I am just going to juggle some things around, scratch a few items of my list and work it out!
The beauty of a lens that I would LOVE to have is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens with a 1.4x converter. For those of you who have no idea what that means (and I still need to have it explained to me, so don't feel bad) This is an awesome, weather sealed, image stabilized zoom lens that is better than some other zoom lenses in low light conditions. Plus, with a converter, it extends the range of the zoom to almost 300mm.
This would make all the difference when shooting wildlife in Tanzania, especially in the unprotected areas. In Parks and Game Reserves, the wildlife has been desensitized to humans and vehicles. When I was in Botswana, we could just pull up next to an Elephant, like he was standing on the sidewalk and take close-ups of his eyeball! But outside the high traffic areas, the animals are still scared of vehicles and humans. (as they should be!)
I have done some serious number crunching, (which is quite a task for an artist! ;) and I think I have found a way to cover some of the larger items I know I will need. Here is a list of things I plan on getting before I go, if anyone has any suggestions, connections or feels like donating used equipment, pleeaaase let me know!!
4wd vehicle to be purchased in Tz:.........................check!
Heavy Duty Canvas Wall Tent, also getting in Tz:...........check!
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, ordered TODAY!!!!:...................check!
Things I still need to get:
10x Binoculars
Large Storm Case
Solar Powered Car Battery Charger
Car Adapter to charge camera, laptop etc..
Head Lamp
Solar Powered Lantern
Heavy Duty Flashlight (rechargeable or solar)
Global GPS
Field Guides for East Africa
Kiswahili Textbook
Fancy backpack that will fit ALL of my equipment
Serious hiking boots!
I leave SEPT. 28th! That's just 11 weeks away!! I am starting to get really excited/nervous and I still have SO much to do!!
I have changed my fund raising goals to focus on one thing I really need; a new Zoom lens. There is no way I will be able to raise enough to cover all the expensive equipment I would like to have, so I am just going to juggle some things around, scratch a few items of my list and work it out!
The beauty of a lens that I would LOVE to have is the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens with a 1.4x converter. For those of you who have no idea what that means (and I still need to have it explained to me, so don't feel bad) This is an awesome, weather sealed, image stabilized zoom lens that is better than some other zoom lenses in low light conditions. Plus, with a converter, it extends the range of the zoom to almost 300mm.
This would make all the difference when shooting wildlife in Tanzania, especially in the unprotected areas. In Parks and Game Reserves, the wildlife has been desensitized to humans and vehicles. When I was in Botswana, we could just pull up next to an Elephant, like he was standing on the sidewalk and take close-ups of his eyeball! But outside the high traffic areas, the animals are still scared of vehicles and humans. (as they should be!)
I have done some serious number crunching, (which is quite a task for an artist! ;) and I think I have found a way to cover some of the larger items I know I will need. Here is a list of things I plan on getting before I go, if anyone has any suggestions, connections or feels like donating used equipment, pleeaaase let me know!!
4wd vehicle to be purchased in Tz:.........................check!
Heavy Duty Canvas Wall Tent, also getting in Tz:...........check!
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, ordered TODAY!!!!:...................check!
Things I still need to get:
10x Binoculars
Large Storm Case
Solar Powered Car Battery Charger
Car Adapter to charge camera, laptop etc..
Head Lamp
Solar Powered Lantern
Heavy Duty Flashlight (rechargeable or solar)
Global GPS
Field Guides for East Africa
Kiswahili Textbook
Fancy backpack that will fit ALL of my equipment
Serious hiking boots!
I leave SEPT. 28th! That's just 11 weeks away!! I am starting to get really excited/nervous and I still have SO much to do!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
