Rusty Rainforests
Leaves glisten in the morning light. A clearing in the trees allows the magpie robin's song to filter onto our jungle trail from the cloud-covered shadows beneath.
Plant Characters
The leaves of various plant species meet in the foreground of Ranomafana's vast rainforest, like differently-shaped characters meeting at a local market square.
Strangler Spiral
Nature's twining staircase, a young strangler fig begins its parasitic cling on an old tree.
Forest Beginnings
New shrubs begin their speedy growth from the forest floor, clamouring over one another in search of sunlight.
Leaf-Edge
A romantic setting for an insect couple in love, the edge of this leaf offers sensational views of the forest.
Delicate Growth
Ferns and epiphytes bring vibrance to the lower and middle reaches of the forest canopy.
The Undergrowth
Strangler figs twine around older hardwoods.
Counting Nuts
A grey parrot guards his collection of dry fruit and nuts in a busy Ranomafana market.
Peaceful Girl
Feeling very much at home around the local farming community, this parrot awaits left-over produce to be thrown her way.
Curious eyes
I have kept parrots and parakeets for many years and always found the depths of their beautiful dark eyes to be a mix of curiosity and gentleness.
Banana Leaves
The jungle humidity and soft morning light settle on these fine plants. Pull away a leaf and you may be welcomed by a frog, a spider or a large millipede.
Tram Lines
Drops of moisture settle on the parallel veins of a banana plant.
New Growth
Young saplings reach for the sky where old hardwoods once stood.
Tropical Skies
Natural skylights allow lemurs to keep a watchful eye out for birds of prey.
Forest Shade
Bracken and ferns thrive on the moist forest floor.
Blaze of Lichen
The fiery colour of this lichen stems from the acidic bark on which it grows.
New Growth
A young fern begins to sprout its first leaves.
Lush Hills
Verdant forest carpets the mountains that surround the Ranomafana rainforest reserve.
Forest Buds
Small fig species and berries supply most of the lemurs’ diet.
Wisps of Moss
The humidity of Ranomafana’s primary rainforest allows moisture-loving mosses to grow in abundance.
Blades of Light
A young sapling catches the morning sunlight on its straight leaves.
Living Jewel
The carapace of a dead beetle glistens under the morning light like a precious stone.
Epiphytes Galore
Mosses and ferns grow up the barks of trees to reach the rays of light above.
Leaves in Focus
Light floods the forest floor through gaps in the canopy foliage.
Forest Bracken
Overhangs of ferns and bracken crowd every corner along this river.
Banana Leaves
Dew drops catch the morning light as they course down the veins of this banana plant.
Lush Forest
Evening light gives these plants a rusty colour.
Climb to the Top
The tallest trees form the forest canopy above.
Forest Rays
The afternoon sun winks through thorns, hardwoods and saplings.
The Undergrowth
Lemur trails line the forest floor.
Gentle Waterways
Placid lakes dot clearings in the forest undergrowth. They make perfect resting spots and drinking holes for lemurs and other endemic wildlife.
Gushing River
Water flows out of natural springs before entering the brackish lakes below.
Evening Lake
Many bodies of water are sacred in Madagascar, with spirits in the guise of lemurs and chameleons ready to avenge their homes should they ever be disturbed.
Canyon River
A stream of water cuts through this limestone canyon in the centre of Ranomafana rainforest.
Natural Blinds
Thick leaves and spindly branches allow the perfect amount of sunlight to filter through.
Forest Drapery
Leaves, branches and flowers create the perfect backdrop for the intricacies of life in Ranomafana.
Green Slopes
The base of an extinct volcano in southern Madagascar is carpeted in thick vegetation. Water running down the slopes settles as dew and moisture on those thick leaves.
Elephant-Eared Chameleon
This small chameleon species opened one eye to observe us on our night expedition.
Pin Stripe
A small chameleon species hangs motionless on a leaf, its flank decorated by an ochre stripe. At night chameleons tend to gravitate towards the lower reaches of the forest scrub.
Night Leaves
Dew drops glisten under torch light on a night expedition through Ranomafana rainforest.
Ranomafana at Night
The night is never still, with nocturnal mammals, amphibians and insects read to stir up a racket.
Forest Hues
Twilight over the forest-clad hills creates an abundance of warm colours.
Spider Shadows
A large spider stalks its prey behind a veiny leaf. The stillness of night allows for a more covert operation.