If I ask you to picture some of the world’s great wildernesses chances are that your mind will conjure exotic pictures of the African savannah, the icy polar tundra, lush tropical rainforests or any of a host of far-flung ecosystems that feature regularly on our TV screens.
Compared to these wildlife Meccas, it’s easy to dismiss our little island in the north-east Atlantic as practically insignificant. But to do so would be a mistake. Getting your wildlife fix from the television is no substitute for getting up close and personal with the real thing. Nothing quite compares with getting out into the open and experiencing the wonder of nature first hand.
While Ireland may lack the high levels of biodiversity and some of the more dramatic signature species of more exotic, our mix of flora, fauna and habitat is no less unique, every bit as fascinating and, perhaps most importantly, infinitely more accessible. In fact, our wild habitats, plants and creatures are a living, breathing part of our national heritage – and that makes them more significant to us than those found in far off lands.
Anyone out there who doubts that Ireland’s wilderness can be as dramatic, varied and beautiful as anywhere else in the world should take a look at “Images of Irish Natureâ€, a new book by renowned West Cork wildlife photographer Mike Brown. It’s a publication that unequivocally celebrates the wonder of Ireland’s wild places, plants and animals.
The photography is, quite simply, superb. But then you’d expect nothing less from a photographer of Mike Brown’s calibre (he won the ESB Environmental Photographer of the Year award in 2002, and was named Photographer of the Year by the Irish Professional Photographers’ Association in 2003). The book includes stunning photographs of a wide variety of Ireland’s native wildlife, from common and easily observed species like barn swallows, curlews and foxes to more elusive denizens of our wilderness, like pine martens, barn owls and bats.
Photographing wildlife is, arguably, among the most challenging of photographic disciplines. It’s a painstaking, often frustrating business that takes skill, patience, luck, dedication and, above all, an intimate connection with and understanding of the natural world.
Truly outstanding wildlife photography reveals none of those challenges in the final shot. Images appear effortless, simple and somehow connect with the viewer on a level that transcends a mere moment frozen in time. What’s remarkable about Images of Irish Nature is how many of the photographs in the book seem to achieve that effortless simplicity. Mike Brown demonstrates that he’s at the pinnacle of his profession, well able to hold his own with the very best in the field.
Throughout the book Mike’s photographs are interspersed with informative and thought-provoking essays by some of Ireland’s leading wildlife writers. Gordon D’Arcy reflects on how as a nation we’re becoming disassociated with nature, and how vital it is to rekindle a fascination and understanding of nature and the environment in our children. Richard Collins comments on how local wildlife can be just as intriguing as high-profile species from afar, and introduces us to some examples. Damien Enright takes us on a stroll through the seasons in West Cork, complete with seasonally inspired verse. Juanita Browne introduces us to her favourite class of Irish fauna, the mammals, and ponders the dilemma of reconciling Ireland’s inexorable progress with the pressing need to preserve our natural heritage. Padraig Whooley of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group introduces us to the fascinating world of whale watching, explaining how Ireland now ranks as one of the world’s whale-watching hotspots, and how we can all get involved in cetacean conservation. Finally, Michael Viney takes us beach-coming along Ireland’s tide line, and makes some surprising discoveries along the way.
The writing style of the contributors varies considerably – and I have to say I found certain essays more appealing than others – but on the whole they offer a fitting complement to Mike Brown’s generally exceptional photography.
Perhaps the greatest endorsement of Images of Irish Nature is the Foreword, written by the undisputed patriarch of Irish natural history, Éamon de Buitléar, which he closes thus: “Mike’s ability to produce a constant supply of excellent photographs not only sets high standards for others to follow but his pictures also help to make people more aware of the beauty of Ireland’s countryside and its wildlife.â€
High praise indeed, and perhaps that aspect of the book – its wide appeal, its ability to inspire people and to raise awareness of Ireland’s natural history – is its greatest achievement. What more could any wildlife photographer hope for?
Images of Irish Nature is published by Mike Brown Photography, Clarke Street, Clonakilty, County Cork. Copies cost €39.95 and are available in all good bookshops, or direct from the publisher by calling 023 35782 or you can order online from the website
Technorati Tags: book review, Irish wildlife, photography, Images of Irish nature, Mike Brown
