About admin

Julie Larsen Maher is the sixth person to be appointed staff photographer for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) since it was founded in 1895. She is also the first woman to hold the position, and the first to do large-scale conservation photography in the field. She began her career at WCS as Art Director of Publications in 1991. Julie takes photos at WCS's five New York-based wildlife parks including the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, New York Aquarium, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo. She also journeys to remote field locations to photograph some of the world's leading conservationists, and the culture, wildlife, and wild lands that they aim to protect in more than 60 countries.

B E S T  T I P S  F O R  B E T T E R  P I C S

How can I take better photos?

What kind of camera should I buy?

What lens do I need for close up pictures?

These are questions I am often asked by people that want to improve their photography through gear upgrades, knowledge, and experience.

Nikon offers great answers with easy access through their recent website redesign. Diane Berkenfeld, Nikon’s consumer content specialist, spearheaded the effort based on the needs of their photo audience.

“Nikon features hundreds of educational and inspirational articles on Learn and Explore (www.nikonusa.com/L&E) and now with our redesigned navigation, the articles are served up to visitors when they arrive on the web page. Simple navigation means you can find exactly what you’re looking for quickly and easily. Browse by image, search by photographer or popular topics to find a wide variety of tips, techniques, inspirational images and tutorial videos to expand your photographic knowledge,” says Berkenfeld.

It is a link that I forward often!

 

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F R A N K L I N 

While the New York Aquarium is in its recovery, its good to know that the other Wildlife Conservation Society parks in New York are open including Prospect Park Zoo (PPZ) in Brooklyn.

PPZ is a great place to take your camera during Thanksgiving week and meet up with Franklin, the turkey, an icon of the season. Franklin always stands proud of his heritage in the barnyard.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

 

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B E R N I E

Another animal hero of Hurricane Sandy is Bernie, the harbor seal. He weathered the storm with water-mates Coral and Nixon in the Sea Cliffs exhibit at the New York Aquarium (NYA.)

In nature, harbor seals live on the rocky edges of the world’s northern oceanic coastal waters where they can find protection from predators and weather.

Bernie and his seal friends continue their day-to-day activities with their keepers and trainers at the NYA as rebuilding progresses.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

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T A K E  T I M E  F O R  T I G E R S

Like most kids, our Amur tiger cubs have toys and play things that enrich their lives at the Bronx Zooand like most kids, the cubs find things in their environment like falling leaves just as captivating.

Tigers may not have much time left. Poachers have devastated tiger populations across their range. They track down and kill tigers, then sell their skins and bones on the black market.

Take action by supporting the Save Vanishing Species stamp that has already raised a remarkable $1.58 million for projects that protect tigers by cracking down on poachers and protecting parks.

Photo credits: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Source: wcs.org

 

 

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W I L D L I F E  T R A D E

Species like this pygmy marmoset (below) are declining because they are hunted from their homes for the international wildlife trade. This trade is mostly illegal and highly lucrative, spawning corruption.

Smuggling of wildlife across international borders bypasses quarantine and other health regulations that risk the spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola, SARS, monkey pox, and others. These viruses and diseases have the potential of impacting human health.

The Wildlife Conservation Society is planning action to stop the demand.

Read more.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Source: wcs.org

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S T O P  W I L D L I F E  P O A C H I N G

Wildlife Conservation Society President and CEO Cristian Samper supports U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her focus on illegal wildlife trade.

Populations of the most charismatic wildlife species across the globe are in decline due to wildlife trafficking—among the world’s most lucrative illicit economies.

This year alone, 30,000 African elephants will be killed for their ivory.

Read more of the WCS statement here.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

 

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I N  T H E  P I N K

After weeks of severe weather for New York and its neighbor states, sunshine broke across the region that pushed temperatures into the mid-and- upper 60’s.

It was a better day for travel and for time to restore all that is broken. Our wildlife at the Bronx Zoo, like this Caribbean flamingo, welcomed the change with a ruffle of appreciation.

Hey, we’re in the pink, at least for Monday!

When weather warms up to the 60’s and 70’s in a colder season, expect to see animals out that might otherwise be inside.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

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R E B U I L D I N G  T H E  N E W  Y O R K  A Q U A R I U M

Another photo assignment on Friday to cover Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts at the New York Aquarium NYA showed me that we still have spirit, but a there is still a long way to go for both the facility and the staff.

Some areas are progressing with rebuilding under generator power.

Even though the NYA remains closed, keepers and trainers are working hard to keep the marine mammals and other animals on schedule with regular feedings and enrichment (toys and other items that stimulate behavior.) It is an amazing feat considering some of them lost everything in the storm.

To help us with restoration efforts, click here.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

 

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N O R’ E A S T E R

The second storm in two weeks is challenging our New York area.

I am worried that our waterlogged New York Aquarium (below, I am inside looking out at a harbor seal) will get hit again by a Nor’easter. Not good timing, having just pumped out from Hurricane Sandy.

As snowflakes are pelting down now and rain is forecasted to fall with it, I am thinking of my friends at the aquarium and hope that this one passes them by.

Be safe.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

 

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