Nature

Monthly Archive: December Natu

How Drone Photography is Saving Wildlife

Posted: March 3, 2016 - 15:41 , by ROM
Research conducted by scientists from the NOAA Fisheries and the Vancouver Aquarium using the hexacopter to capture images of killer whales to assess their health. Photo from NOAA Fisheries.

Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Lisa Milosavljevic

A number of photos in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit make use of aerial photography techniques, including the use of drone photography. There is also a growing demand for its use in professional and academic fields as people are recognizing how drones can be a valuable tool in their work; one of these areas is wildlife conservation. Here we are going to look at the different ways in how drone photography is saving wildlife around the world, as well as some of the controversies and questions that this developing technology raises.

Captivating Images from Winners of the ROM Photographer of the Year Contest

Posted: February 26, 2016 - 15:55 , by ROM
Categories: 
| Comments () | Comment
winning photo of the ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Photo Contest - a coyote drinks from a stream in Toronto, photo by Steven Rose

More than 2250 photos were submitted by people from across Ontario in the 1st Annual ROM Photographer of the Year Contest, and a shot from Steven Rose of Scarborough of a coyote drinking from a stream in an undisclosed Toronto park takes home the grand prize.

Have you got 15 minutes to be part of something BIG?

Posted: February 11, 2016 - 16:46 , by ROM
Categories: 
| Comments () | Comment
White-breasted Nuthatch, common bird of Toronto.  Photo by Mark Peck

Guest blog written by Bird Studies Canada's Toronto Projects Coordinator, Emily Rondel

What if you could be part of a global conservation project by standing in your yard (or local park, or well…anywhere) for 15 minutes? This coming Family Day weekend (Feb 12-15), be part of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a four day worldwide “blitz” of wild birds. The GBBC is an invaluable snapshot of worldwide bird abundance and distribution; and it’s only possible due to the participation of tens of thousands of “citizen scientist” volunteers around the globe. 

Mexican Cartel lands are home to a newly described species: Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise

Posted: February 10, 2016 - 12:00 , by royal
Categories: 
| Comments () | Comment
A new species of tortoise named Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise, described today by Dr. Robert (Bob) Murphy and colleagues in the Journal ZooKeys. Photo taken in Reserva Monte Mojino, Sonora, Mexico, 24 August, 2013 Photo by Taylor Edwards

ROM curator of reptiles and amphibians, Dr. Bob Murphy and a team of international scientists use leading edge genetic techniques and dangerous fieldwork activities to describe a new species of tortoise in Mexico and shine light on the conservation status of other rare and threatened tortoises from the region

Photographer thoughts: A conversation with Mark Peck

Posted: January 26, 2016 - 17:38 , by ROM
An adult blue jay rests on a branch in the winter season in Ontario. Photo by Mark Peck

Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Fatima Ali

In spite of his “im-peck-able” career as an ornithology technician in the Department of Natural History at the ROM, Mark Peck is also a world traveller and an avid natural history photographer with a special interest in breeding and nesting birds. Fatima interviewed Mark to get his thoughts on what it is that drives his passion for photographing birds and other wildlife.

Beneath the Surface: Photographing at the Edge of Imagination

Posted: January 6, 2016 - 17:54 , by ROM
“Turtle Flight” is David Doubilet’s finalist photograph in the 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the ROM.

Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Sam Rose Phillips

In search of guidance from the master of photographing moments himself, EVC student Samantha Phillips called David Doubilet and his partner Jennifer Hayes, renowned photographers whose work can often be found among the pages of National Geographic Magazine to ask them about their work. Their perspective is filled with insights and stories that Sammy was thrilled to share in this guest blog post.

Blue Whale Update: From Trenton with Love

Posted: December 22, 2015 - 11:25 , by ROM
It took a team of seven people to lift the blue whale heart enough to finish wrapping it. Photo by Stacey Lee Kerr

It’s that time of year where many of us are pretty focused on the holidays. Spending time with family and friends, baking and eating loads of treats, and - let’s be honest - the gifts. Finding them, buying them, wrapping them, and getting them to where they need to go, whether the destination is under the Christmas tree, or to be mailed to relatives somewhere else around the world.

So, given that everybody’s in this present-logistics state of mind, we have a gift-wrapping question for you… how do you ship a blue whale heart?

Incredible Wildlife Photos... Taken by 10-Year-Olds

Posted: December 14, 2015 - 15:16 , by ROM
Ten-year-old wildlife photographer Josiah Launstein sits bundled up and ready to take the shot.

Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Cassidy McAuliffe

If you think you need years of experience to be a good photographer… think again! After viewing photos taken by youth in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the ROM, you may find yourself itching to start snapping photos.

Ten Tips to Get Started in Wildlife Photography

Posted: December 8, 2015 - 11:11 , by ROM
Categories: 
| Comments () | Comment
A garter snake sticks its tongue out to sense the air - the photo that got Rob interested in wildlife photography

Guest Blog written by Environmental Visual Communication student Robert Elliot

After visiting the incredible Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibit, did you get the urge to try your hand at becoming a wildlife photographer yourself? Need some help honing your skills to enter our photo contest? Here are ten tips from Environmental Visual Communications student Robert Elliot.

Museums and Climate Change: Two Easy Steps and One Provocative Move

Posted: December 2, 2015 - 10:05 , by royal
Categories: 
| Comments () | Comment
#COP21 logo in the public access area for the 2015 UN Paris Climate Change Conference

Our world leaders converged on Paris yesterday for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, or #COP21.  During the opening ceremonies we heard from the top dogs, including US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and China President Xi Jinping. None of them explicitly called out to the museums of the world, but certainly we are ALL implied in the action required to battle our rapidly changing climate.