south america

For the Planet

The earth is old. 5 billion years old. In that time, millions of species have evolved and become extinct. Humanity is but a temporary blip in this vast canvas over time. And yet, in that short time, we have somehow managed to impact the environment in ways very few other life forms have. And these changes have left permanent scars, and has happened at a rate faster than the life in this planet can adapt. Examples abound, from increasing CO2 levels, rapid deforestation, and higher-than-average rates of species extinction. And at such a scale, these impacts are but a statistic. And when a calamity becomes a statistic, we often tend to ignore it. And change never happens.

What triggers change is usually individual events that take on viral lives of their own - the death of the last wild southern white rhino, the recent tragic killing of a pregnant elephant in India, the illegal trophy hunting of Cecil the Lion, the death of Harambe, and so many more. It was one such event that spurred me think of the pain and the grief these creatures go through from a decision not of their in making. It was, needless to say, an emotional day.

These animals paid and continue pay the price for a choice humanity made. One cannot reverse it, but I hope to help reduce the impact we have impressed on the one life-bearing planet. On this World Environment Day, both my partner and I have pledged to donate 5% of our income to charities focused on preserving the environment, and on helping the other species who cohabit this planet survive and thrive. It may be a small amount, but over time, we hope to increase it and have even more impact.

Well you join me?

Not your average market

It was not your average Saturday market.

One lane was replete with shops selling scarves and sweaters ranging the entire gamut of colors. The next was bright sheets and linens made from the regional favorites - alpaca wool and sheep wool. A third was fruits and nuts from the equatorial mountains of Equador. And interspersed in-between were tiny shops selling colorful handicrafts, local farmers selling their wares, weavers selling baskets, bags and shawls, and intricately designed native artwork.

This was the Otovalo Saturday market, one of the largest Saturday markets on the continent, attracting buyers and sellers from all over the country, and its neighboring one (Colombia and Peru). Buyers arrive by the bus loads on Saturday morning, hoping to catch some great deals. And by 11am, the entire market is thronging with foot traffic.

Having stayed the previous night, I got to experience the market in the wee hours of the morning, just as the stalls were setting up. And I got to witness some solemn scenes of the market-life, including this tired owner catching a quick nap while waiting for business to pick up.

Otovalo

Ecuador

Walking the Plank

It was a cold and foggy morning when I awoke that morning in my hotel. My upset tummy hadn't subsided, and the effects of the high altitude were still there. I didn't want to get out of my bed, but I forced myself to and embarked on the 10mi loop of Laguna Quilotoa.

And I was glad I did, for the vistas I encountered were sublime, combining breath-taking scenery, high-alpine atmosphere, and the glistening lake in a volcanic crater. It was a visual treat to see this grand spectacle of geology stretching between the turquoise waters of the lake, the ragged walls of the crater, the tiny farms and fields on the outer slopes, dotted with distant Andean villages getting ready for the morning rituals just as the sun broke through the fog.

As I turn my sights once again towards the volcanic mountain ranges of Central and South America, I was reminded of this trek in Ecuador, and of the other dramatic volcanoes and the Andean range that forms the spine of the continent. And I can't wait to explore more of it.

Quilotoa
Cotopaxi Ecuador

Magical Galapagos

The vista stretched endlessly. The blue calm waters of the Pacific wrapped around the tiny island I was atop, while in front, right below the setting sun, lay volcanic cones of various shapes and sizes. The landscape was barren, almost a moonscape, save a few pieces of vegetation: the volcanic soil with its poor nutrients and the harsh windy weather aren't kind to flora and fauna.

And yet, Galapagos is one of the best wildlife hotspots. Phytoplankton thrive at this unique confluence of warm and cold ocean currents, resulting in a region rich in biodiversity. Between the unique avian dwellers and visitors, including the blue and red-footed boobies, the magnificent frigatebirds, albatross, and even penguins, the lush and colorful aquatic life swimming everywhere, the giant iguanas and tortoises, and so many more, you can easily lose track of how amazing this destination is.

The Bartelome island, home to this amazing vista, wasn't originally in my itinerary, but due to scheduling issue, I ended up at the top, and enjoyed this expansive view during the afternoon, with the warm sunlight setting aglow the landscape around. And I was glad I made it

Galapagos
Ecuador

On Top of Bogota

Rising high above Bogota is the Monserrate, topped by an ancient shrine that atracted many pilgrims for decades. While they had to endure a strenuous climb to the top, a modern tramway whisked me to the top in a few minutes, and the view from above …

Rising high above Bogota is the Monserrate, topped by an ancient shrine that atracted many pilgrims for decades. While they had to endure a strenuous climb to the top, a modern tramway whisked me to the top in a few minutes, and the view from above was something else.

On one side of the divide, there lay an endless array of rolling mountains draped with lush forests, with nary a sign of civilization. And on the other, the forests gave way to a concrete jungle - towering skyscrapers, gleaming glassy high-rises, and an endless ocean of humanity. And straddling both of these was the unique environment of the Monserrate

As I lay at the top pondering this juxtaposition, moisture-laden clouds rolled in from the mountains, accompanied by increasing gusts of wind. Crepuscular rays streamed from the sky highlight patches of the cityscape below, while a foreboding grayness took over the rest. I didn't stick around long after, just enough to capture this beautiful scene of the clouds unfolding over the cityscape of Bogota

Monserrate
Bogota Colombia

Check out my 2018 Photography calendar. All proceeds from the purchase of this calendar go to NRDC and WildAid