B e h i n d The Lens SEPTEMBER, 13 - OCTOBER, 11
WAVERLEY LIBRARY
32-48 DENISON ST, BONDI JUNCTION NSW 2022
present
INTO THE WILD… Fiona RU CK
Concept & Design ArtCelerator www.artcelerator.com.au
Copyright - Behind The Lens Exhibition 2017 Fiona Ruck
Fiona Ruck About the artist
​ As a teenager, I left England to discover the world and document what I found. I have a diverse background from working in major hotels; accounts, front desk, running a guest house in Bavaria, Germany, and working as a translator in Hong Kong. I have enjoyed working for overseas magazines presenting articles from start to finish, including research, photography and graphic design, setting up photographic galleries. Living and working across Africa, Europe, North America and Asia all my life has enabled me to study a diverse range of cultures, people and wildlife. From mine dances in South Africa to the many festivals in Hong Kong and much more. I have seen and photographed the splendour of nature in all its forms. From the imposing African elephants to the most intricate and delicate of insects. Through my lens, I am continually searching for beauty in the world. For me, there is no greater thrill than capturing an image which, when shared, preserves and celebrates a unique moment that would otherwise have been lost to time.
^ INTO THE WILD
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 It was early morning as the sun shone down on the Masai Mara National Reserve. This zeal of zebras was unaware of our presence as we silently floated above them.
INTO THE WILD... ‘Into the Wild’ is a collection of wildlife photos from East Africa to the coast of the Republic of Ireland, Denali National Park in Alaska and the Galápagos Islands off Ecuador. In East Africa I visited six national parks and saw not only the beauty, but also the resilience and struggle the wildlife endure to survive. I spent many days on a small island off the east coast of Ireland watching thousands of Gannets and Puffins go about their daily life of interacting with one another; living, loving, fighting, feeding and caring for their young. In Denali National Park in Alaska, I saw many mother grizzly bears with their recently born cubs emerging from their dens in search of water and food after many months of hibernation.
I also spent many days around the Galápagos Islands, where the wildlife has no fear of danger from humans. These were all wonderful experiences and I wish to share a small part of these experiences with you through the images I captured with my lens. It is my hope that these images will encourage the viewer to look for the beauty around them and take action to ensure that our precious environment is preserved.
^ ROARING LION
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 We had been watching this lion for a while and realised that he was injured. It was difficult for him to walk and with hyenas in the vicinity, I doubt that he would have made it through the night.
^ GREY CROWNED CRANE Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500
Travelling across the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, we came across these beautiful giant birds with their striking plumage, large blue eyes and golden crown. Unlike other cranes, these birds usually roost in trees. Due to their decline in numbers they are now listed as ‘Endangered’ by the IUCN Red List.
^ LITTLE VAMPIRE
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 This Red Billed Ox-Pecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) looks seemingly innocent as it perches atop the head of this unassuming African Buffalo. But really this little visitor is looking for dinner as it looks to feast on the blood of its host.
^ MORNING STROLL
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 In the warm light of morning before Mount Kilimanjaro disappears in the clouds, this herd of elephants are following their matriarch across the savannah. Elephants can walk around 130 km a day in search of food.
^ SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Bycanistes brevis) Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500
We spotted this striking bird in the Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania. This Silvery-Cheeked Hornbill nests in cavities and performs long flights in search of food. Although common in East Africa, this bird is threatened by habitat destruction.
^ BABY GRIZZLY
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 Whilst exploring Denali National Park in Alaska, we came across this baby grizzly bear which was emerging from its den with its mother and two other siblings. This young bear cub playfully steps over the gravel in search of food and water.
^ HOMECOMING
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 From a small island off the east coast of Ireland, I felt very fortunate to witness these beautiful and elegant Gannets (Morus bassanus) interact with one another. As this bird returns from the sea, it’s mate seems to say “Great to see you - but where’s my dinner!”
^ I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU! Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500
Seeming like a giant by comparison, the Land Iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) of the Galápagos Islands looks on at the tiny Lava Lizard (Microlophus albemarlensis) as if to say ‘I’ve got my eye on you’. Not only are they extremes in size, but also in population. Whereas the Lava Lizard with 28 different species can be found in abundance on the Galápagos Islands, the Land Iguana is much lower in population with only 2 different species and classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List.
^ GREAT CATCH!
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 Returning from the sea on the east coast of Ireland, this Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) flexes its wings with a beak full of sandeels. Due to the puffin’s ability to clamp fish to the roof of its bill with its strong tongue and then open its bill to catch the next fish, this bird has been recorded with 61 sandeels in its beak.
^ SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500
This beautiful bird with iridescent feathers is East Africa’s best known starling. They can be found in large numbers and have no fear of humans.
^ BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis)
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 We came across this interesting looking monkey in the Rift Valley, Tanzania. In spite of the name, this monkey isn’t blue, but gets its name from the hair on its face that can sometimes give a blue hue. It can be found mainly in bamboo, evergreen and thick canopy forests.
^ SALLY LIGHTFOOT (Grapsus grapsus)
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 We came across this beautiful, brightly coloured crab on the Galápagos Islands, seemingly ‘tiptoeing’ across the rocks - hence the name ‘Sally Lightfoot’.
^ HITCHING A RIDE
Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500 This young baboon is able to ride like an expert jockey as its mother raises her tail to support it. Baboons often travel 5-6 miles in one day in search of food. They mature between the ages of 5 and 8 years, when the young males leave, but the females will stay with the troop.
^ FIGHTING FOR SPACE Framed 29.7 x 42 cm (A3) $500
With water splashing, loud grunts and groans, these two hippos fight over space in an overcrowded waterhole in the Serengeti National Park.
THE SPACE gallery THESPACEgallery.com.au yourgallery@THESPACEgallery.com.au