City Escapes Nature Photography Newsletter - June, 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

June, 2012

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Our Travels, Part 3: When Children Beg

 

Travelers generally travel because they want to experience new things, see the unfamiliar, and learn about the wider world.  Not every encounter the traveler has is a positive one, however, and some leave them wondering how best to react.  This is often the case when the traveler encounters children beggars, some barely old enough to walk, hands outstretched in the hope of obtaining the largesse of the foreigner.  While the reaction to these children beggars runs the gamut from heartbreak to contempt, depending upon the particular observer, few people remain completely unaffected by them.  And many travelers find themselves in a quandary: they want to help these children, but what is the best way to do so?

 

The first step must be to understand the dynamics of the situation.  More than once, we have heard travelers make very damning remarks about the child’s parents and family situation, assuming that the parents sent the child to beg.  While in some cases this is true, and indeed we have even heard a few horror stories of parents intentionally mutilating their children in order to more effectively prey upon the sympathies of the foreigner, in many other cases the parents are actively trying to keep their children from begging.  Children the world over, as every parent knows, are extremely adept at figuring out how to get what they want.  It is hardwired into all of them, all of us, as a basic survival skill.  Learn what works and you have a better chance of survival; don’t, and you are at a distinct disadvantage.

 

Children who have learned that foreigners will give them things will skip school in order to meet the trains, boats, and Land Rovers that bring the tourists.  They will shirk their chores and duties, and bring their siblings into the world of begging.  They often lose respect for their parents because their parents, despite working very hard to provide for their families, cannot give them the types of things that a tourist will casually toss to the child.  Child begging fundamentally undercuts the entire structure and authority of the family, and thus the society, and can severely limit the child’s ability to progress by providing a reward system for avoiding education. 

 

While it might be tempting to blame the parents for allowing their children to beg, it takes only a moment’s reflection to realize that no parent can watch over all of their children all of the time.  Especially in the poorer regions where child begging is rampant, the adults in the household must all work in some form or fashion to help provide for the family, often very long hours.  The parents cannot take the time to ensure that their children are actually at school when they are supposed to be, for they must be at work during those same hours – often struggling to earn enough money to send their children to the school they are skipping.

 

When the traveler understands the dynamics of child begging, it becomes apparent that the reward system inherent in begging is a major impediment to these children’s futures as productive members of their own societies.  Thus, the logical conclusion is to remove the reward for begging.  In other words, don’t give them anything.  And I mean anything.  Some travelers think that as long as they don’t give the children money, it will do no harm to give them other things such as pens or candies.  This is not the case.  To these children, such items are still significant rewards with all of the attendant negative effects of being rewarded for begging. 

 

This ban on giving anything to a child who appears in need may be especially difficult for those of us who react in a strongly emotional way.  Our hearts leap out to these children, our protective instincts kick in, and we feel a powerful impetus to do something to help them.  The challenge is to realize that our gut instinct to give them something may not in fact be helping them, but rather hurting.  We must remind ourselves that their long-term well being must supersede any short-term gain.  We must understand that just because a child is dirty and barefoot does not mean that he or she is neglected.  (How many commercials and advertisements do we see every day for products to clean our own children’s clothes after a rambunctious day of playing outside?  In many, many parts of the world, children spend a great deal more time outside than western children do.)  The fact that their houses may be constructed from materials different from those we use does not indicate a need for us to “fix” them.  And we have absolutely no right to undercut their parents, their family, and their future to assuage a few emotional pangs. 

 

Does this mean that we should ignore those in need?  Of course not.  We should, however, first determine who is truly in need, and onto whom we are thrusting our own misconceptions.  After that determination is made, we must work within the framework of the community to ensure that our desire to help actually has the desired effect.  For example, working with a local school to donate pencils and notebooks to all of the children in attendance not only gives the students the tools they may need to complete their studies, it also rewards the children for pursuing an education, rather than for skipping school to beg.  Working with the local community to discover what they really need can greatly multiply the positive effects of our urges to help by benefitting the entire community, not just a single child. 

 

Travelers should not be afraid to help when the situation calls for it.  They should, however, do their homework to ensure that their charitable impulses are actually helping, and not undermining, their intended beneficiaries.

 

 

You can find Parts 1 & 2 of this series in the February and March 2012 issues of the City Escapes Nature Photography Newsletter at our archive.

 

 

 

June’s Monthly Specials

 

Get 10% off of “A King in Waiting – Lion Cub” and “Arctic Arch” when you order from our specials page at http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/

Offer good on unframed, 10x15 prints of “A King in Waiting – Lion Cub,” and unframed, 8x12 prints of “Arctic Arch.”

 

 

June’s Fun Facts

On June 5^th, Venus passed in front of the sun.  Though the planet did not cause an eclipse, it was be visible as a dark spot on the disk of the sun (that we all looked at as a shadow on the ground through a pinhole in a piece of cardboard, because we all know better than to look directly at the sun, don’t we?).  This Venusian trip is the second half of what is known as the transit of Venus, an eight-year period in which the planet passes in front of the sun exactly twice.  Once both crossings occur, they will not happen again for over a hundred years: transits are separated by alternating periods of 121.5 and 105.5 years. 

If you missed it, mark your calendar: the next one will be in 2117. Or, you can check out the NASA time lapsed video of the event on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9rM8ChTjY  

 

 

       

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City Escapes Photography Newsletter - May 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

May, 2012

 

 

 

 

The Galapagos Islands

 

The islands that Charles Darwin made famous are located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and were our second major destination during our introduction to the beauty and mystique that is South America.

 

The extreme popularity of the islands requires that tourism be carefully managed by the Ecuadorian government.  In order to prevent the massive damage to the ecosystem that would occur if unlimited numbers of visitors were allowed to go wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted, the government has devised a tourism plan that manages to do the impossible: protect the ecosystems that are so prized while still giving the visitors an unforgettable experience.  Here’s how it works: all boats and ships giving tours in the islands must be registered with the Ecuadorian government (not the vessel’s legal, ownership registration, just a permission-to-give-tours-in-the-Galapagos registration).  Each vessel is then given a predetermined itinerary with specified times for it to be at a particular port.  This allows the number of visitors descending upon any particular place to be controlled, minimizing damage while simultaneously allowing the visitors to feel that they have the island to themselves.

 

I mention this because of how well it seems to work: many times during our eight days in the Galapagos, we felt as though our boat was the only one around.  We had literally thousands of animals to ourselves, and we could study their behavior or explore the surrounding area without feeling jostled or crowded by other people.  It was only when our guide would round us up to head back to the boat that we would come across other groups.  At one point, I was the only person around, surrounded by almost a hundred sea lions.  Now THAT is how to experience these magnificent islands!

 

Sea lions were plentiful on every island.  When taking a rest, sitting on a rock, it was easy to be startled by the sudden movements of a lion right behind you that you had previously not noticed.  Pups were numerous, and it only took watching the lions for a short time to notice various dramas playing out in the colony.  Sea lions are curious, playful animals.  Standing still to observe the larger colony, at three different points I felt the whiskers of inquisitive individuals that came up to me to check out this strange, finless creature.

 

The multitude of sea lions aside, the one thing that struck me as particularly missing from the Galapagos were mammals, particularly rodents.  There were no small, furry creatures racing to their burrows or darting up trees.  There is a species of rat native to the islands, but we did not see any.  I had never before realized how integral rodents are in my conception of a complete ecosystem until I was in a place where they did not exist, despite an abundance of other wildlife.  The islands do just fine without rodents, but in my mind, there was a gap in the chain of life that I had trouble reconciling.  Of course, the lack of rodents, in combination with the lack of small predators such as foxes and cats, certainly contributed to the vast number of bird’s nests we saw simply sprawled on the ground or on very easy to reach rocks.  The only predators the birds had to worry about, besides the small population of native rats, were other birds.

 

The Galapagos are renowned for their birds, especially finches (again, thanks to Darwin) and blue-footed boobies.  Other birds can be found in great numbers as well, including frigatebirds (the males’ vibrant red pouches were fully inflated during our visit), red-footed boobies (red feet and blue bills – a most colorful bird!), and Nazca boobies (beautiful, but murderous when young – the first hatchling will push the second, as yet unhatched egg out of the nest, causing the egg to die).  Though none were present during our visit, at certain times of year albatrosses make a stopover on the islands, as well. 

 

My favorites were the boobies.  All of the different varieties have webbed feet, and many make their nests in trees.  Seeing a web-footed bird wrap its feet around a branch struck me as odd, amusing, and somewhat incredible.  They were very accustomed to people, sometimes even making their nests in the middle of trails.  Boobies are also terrific divers, streaking down at high speeds from out of the sky to plunge head-first into the ocean after a fish.  A moment or two later they pop to the surface like a fishing bobber.  I never tired of watching this spectacle.

 

Then there are the reptiles.  There were snakes on a few islands, though we never saw any.  What we did see plenty of, however, were iguanas.  Dark, 2-3 foot long marine iguanas, found only in the Galapagos archipelago, covered the lava rocks, blending in so well that often we did not see them for a few seconds, though we were looking straight at them.  Some of the males sported brilliant breeding-season colors, doing everything they could to not blend in.  Yellow and orange land iguanas basked near their favorite food, prickly-pear cacti. The much smaller lava lizards, in a wide range of colors, clambered up walls and signposts, several missing their tails.  Sea turtles swan in lagoons and mangrove swamps.  By far the most majestic of all the reptiles, however, were the giant tortoises.

 

Upon first glance, one could be forgiven for mistaking these enormous, beautiful animals for boulders.  The largest of all living tortoise species, Galapagos giant tortoises can weigh almost 900 pounds and reach a length of six feet.  Despite their imposing build, they are gentle, slow-moving animals that simply want to be left alone.  When threatened, they pull their heads and forelimbs into their carapaces for protection, and may hiss (similar to a cat) as a warning to the intruder.  Seeing a number of these giant beasts in the wild was truly the highlight of our Galapagos tour.

The Islands’ Most Famous Resident

The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island is home to the Galapagos’ most famous resident, a Pinta Island tortoise named Lonesome George.  One of the rarest animals in the world, Lonesome George lives up to his name -- he is the last Pinta Island tortoise known to exist.  When he passes away, so does his subspecies.  Well, maybe.

The scientists at The Darwin Research Station are trying a variety of methods to keep George’s lineage going.  Two females of a related subspecies share George’s enclosure, but for decades, he showed no interest in mating.  Estimated to be around 100 years old in 2012, George is still well within his reproductive years (the lifespan of a giant tortoise is estimated to be between 150 and 200 years), so his apathy puzzled his keepers.  Finally, in 2008, George mated for the first time.  Since then, three clutches of eggs have been laid by the females but so far, none have proved viable.

So is the Pinta Island tortoise doomed to extinction?  Not necessarily.  The most promising sign comes from another Galapagos island, Isabela, where a first-generation crossbreed tortoise was discovered in 2007.  His discovery suggests that among the approximately 2000 giant tortoises living on Isabela, there may yet be a purebred Pinta Island tortoise.  With luck, it will be a female, and she will be discovered in time to produce a successful clutch of eggs with George.  Additionally, another suspected purebred Pinta Island tortoise was discovered in the Prague Zoo in 2009, a male by the name of Tony.  Fifty years younger than George, Tony gives additional hope to scientists that at least a successful crossbreed may be made (once Tony’s DNA is confirmed as purebred).

There is also a $10,000 reward for a purebred mate for George.  This is not as ridiculous as it sounds.  Thought to be extinct once already (Pinta Island tortoises, along with four other species of giant tortoise, had been declared extinct prior to the opening of the Darwin Research Station in 1962), George was only discovered in 1971.  That, and especially the recent discovery of Tony, leave hope that a female Pinta Island tortoise may be as yet undiscovered.  If she can be found, there is room for cautious optimism that the Pinta Island tortoise will live on.

 

 

May’s Monthly Specials

 

Get 10% off of “False Fire Sky” and “Neighbors – Lilac-breasted Roller and Elephant” when you order from our specials page.  Find the page at http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/index.html.

Offer good on unframed, 8x12 prints of “False Fire Sky,” and unframed, 8x9 prints of “Neighbors.”

 

 

May’s Fun Facts

On those Galapagos islands where giant tortoises are found, prickly pear cacti do not grow low to the ground, where the tortoises can easily get at the tasty flesh of the plant.  Instead, they grow tall on a thick, single trunk, like trees.  This trunk is covered by a tough bark, also similar to trees, making it difficult for the tortoises to feast.

 

 

 

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City Escapes Nature Photography Newsletter - April 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

April, 2012

 

 

 

 

The Peruvian Andes: Home of the Bygone Inca

 

Recently we had the opportunity to travel to South America to begin exploring our southern continental neighbor.  We began our journey in Peru.  Though we spent a day or two in the modern, coastal city of Lima, the majority of our time was spent in the Cusco region high in the cloud forests of the Andes.  Cusco was the center of the old Incan empire, and evidence of the early civilization is scattered throughout the region.  Many mountainsides are terraced, having been cut to enable farming along the steep slopes.  Ruins of stone walls, and indeed entire structures, are commonplace, many having been incorporated into the modern town.  An assortment of the 2000 varieties of potato cultivated since the time of the Inca are available throughout the city.  Cusco, though a modern, thriving town, is rightly proud of its heritage.

 

In the main square, the Plaza de Armas, tourists are swarmed by local tradesmen hawking everything from bracelets and dolls to musical instruments and alpaca scarves.  Many of these entrepreneurs are children, some as young as eight or nine years old.  They tend to be a persistent lot, and many, once they discover you are from America, will begin spouting facts about the US – in English.  They know that George Washington was our first president, and that Barack Obama is our current one.  They can tell you how many states there are, and that Washington, D.C. is the capital.  All of this and more they will pour out in a rapid monologue, trying to win your heart so that you will purchase something from them.  Each time this happened to us, I wondered if the children knew as much about their own country’s fascinating history as they did ours.

 

Other Cusqueñans have developed a different business model.  Women and their children dress in the colorful, traditional garb of the region and walk through town with a pair of llamas.  For a few Soles, they will let you take their photo.  Though this is strictly for the benefit of the tourists, I admit that I was nonetheless charmed the first time I saw the beautifully clad women and their quintessentially South American animals.  There is nothing quite like seeing a llama walk down the street to remind you that you are not in the States anymore.

 

The element that created the deepest impression on me was the stonework of the Inca walls.  Famous for its lack of mortar, the stonework varies greatly in its precision according to the importance of the structure.  Even at its worst, it is impressive: these walls are still standing centuries after they were built, despite earthquakes, severe storms, and invasion by the Spaniards.  At its best, Inca stonework is truly awe-inspiring.  Cuts are almost unbelievably precise, joints beveled and tight.  Few of the stones are square, either.  Most have individualized, multi-sided shapes that add to the overall stability of the structure (not to mention its visual interest).  Time and again, at site after site, I found myself mesmerized by the engineering marvels that are the Inca walls. 

 

Adding to the intellectual draw of the stonework and the civilization that created it is the fact that the quarries from which the Incas mined their rocks were often not near the sites where the structures were being built.  Huge slabs of rock, many twenty by eight by five feet, had to be transported several miles, sometimes down one mountain and up another.  Before each was transported, however, it was cut to the precise dimensions required for it to fit into its place in the wall.  Logs were laid parallel to one another to form a rolling platform of sorts.  The stones were laid upon the logs and pushed or pulled along.  As the logs rolled, the stones moved along their path.  Logs that had rolled completely free of the stones were carried to the front and laid down again.  Though the logs are long gone, the wide, cleared “roads” are still visible, and in some cases are still used.

 

Considered the pinnacle of Inca ruins, Machu Picchu boasts all of these elements: local people hawking their wares, children selling postcards, the incredible stonework, and even llamas.  Reintroduced to the ruins over a decade ago to act as natural lawnmowers, the llamas are completely accustomed to people and treat us as wildlife in a protected sanctuary often do: with complete indifference.  The Machu Picchu llamas could not care less that humans are nearby.  They continue to munch on leaves and grasses, muscle their way down trails, and seek shelter from the sun in the shade of the ruins.  They are completely at home there.  Indeed, upon our initial arrival at the ruins, we were treated to the sight of a llama standing at the edge of an outcropping, peering over the city as if surveying his domain. 

 

The ruins themselves are stunning, both because of their condition and because of their completeness.  Machu Picchu is quite large, housing an estimated thousand people in its day.  Large swaths of agricultural terraces lay outside the city walls, while an observatory, courtyard, and Sun Temple are among the many common areas housed inside.  Fortunately we had a wonderful guide.  He proved essential to our appreciation of the city itself, beyond its architecture, by greatly adding to our understanding of what life was like within its walls.

 

A magnificent bonus to Machu Picchu is the deeply beautiful area in which it sits.  The Andes here are sharp and verdant, wrapped in an ever-changing blanket of twirling, twisting clouds.  For lovers of both mountains and forests, this area is close to paradise.  Except, perhaps, for the powerful lightning strikes.  Just ask the Incas.  It is believed that they abandoned Machu Picchu after a lightning strike, attracted to the concentrated gold within, struck their most sacred temple, the Sun Temple -- and destroyed it from the inside out.

 

Next month: Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands

 

 

April’s Monthly Specials

 

This month’s on-sale images are “Ice Prancing – Polar Bear“ and “Canoe Reflections“, both as unframed, 8x12 prints.  For more information and to see the images, come to our Specials Page: http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/

 

 

April’s Fun Facts

 

The Peruvian Andes are home to a delicate-looking species of camelid: vicuñas.  Never heard of a vicuña?  Neither had I.  But then I went to Peru -- and fell in love.

 

Vicuñas are smaller than the more familiar llamas and alpacas, standing 2.5 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing only about 100 pounds.  Known to locals as “walking gold,” vicuñas are among the most valuable animals in Peru: their fleece sells for anywhere between $1800 and $3000 per yard. 

 

What makes vicuña wool so valuable?  First, it is extremely fine, having a diameter less than half that of the finest sheep’s wool.  This makes it warmer, softer, and lighter than any other wool.  Second, vicuña wool is not easy to come by.  Vicuñas do not take well to domestication: they are shy, skittish animals who have proven to be capable escape artists.  Though a few live in captivity, the overwhelming majority remain wild.  Thus, in order to get the wool wild vicuñas must be captured – a much more difficult endeavor than shearing domesticated alpaca.  As well, each vicuña produces only about a pound of fleece per year, which means that a large number of the animals are required to harvest a decent amount of wool.  And by Peruvian law, each animal may only be shorn once every three years.

 

Vicuñas almost did not survive for me to discover them: they were hunted almost to extinction for their wool.  By the mid-1960s, it is estimated that there were only about 6,000 left.  Fortunately conservation groups and various governments banded together to save the critically imperiled animal.  Trade in their wool was forbidden, and strict laws were implemented – and enforced – banning the killing of a vicuña.  By 2006 the vicuña population had robustly rebounded, reaching an estimated population of more than 125,000, with more in Peru than any other country.  Trade sanctions were lifted and strict labeling systems were implemented to ensure the protection of the vicuña population.  Legal vicuña wool is certified by the government to have been harvested in a way that both prevents harm to the animals and ensures their return to the wild.  Poaching remains a problem, however, with estimates of poached wool exports reaching as high as 50,000 pounds annually.  Poachers have to work for their bounty, though, as the villages near the vicuñas tend to be quite protective of them.  While monies paid for vicuña wool do not go to any individual villager, they do go to fund village-wide initiatives such as improving education or health care.  As with any municipality protecting a revenue source, that makes the villages vigilant.

So if you want to be spoiled completely rotten, mortgage your house: a vicuña scarf will set you back about $1500, while a man’s coat can run as high as $20,000.  But wrapped in absolute luxury you will most certainly be.

 

 

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City Escapes Photography Newsletter - March 2012

CITY ESCAPES

Nature Photography, LLC

 

 

Newsletter

March, 2012

 

 

 

 

Lessons from Our Travels, Part 2: Clothing Choices Are Much More than a Fashion Statement

 

As important as hiking boots, good maps, and insect repellent, the right clothing can make the difference between a very enjoyable exploration of Mother Nature’s gifts and an “I-will-never-do-this-again” trudge through what seems the very definition of misery.  Fortunately, quality clothing well-suited to life in the outdoors is easier than ever to find, does not have to cost a bundle, and is becoming ever more stylish for the fashion-conscious among us.  The following are among those items we have learned to consider non-negotiable:

 

Good rain gear.  Getting sprinkled on is one thing; finding yourself in a downpour is something entirely different.  Given that small sprinkles often morph into drenching downpours at a moment’s notice, being prepared for them can make life in the outdoors much more enjoyable – and safer.  Wet clothes pull body heat away from you, cooling you.  While this may feel nice in hot weather (and is the concept behind evaporative cooling), it can be dangerous in windy conditions or cold temperatures.  Meanwhile in hot weather, while you are enjoying that evaporative cooling, remember that wet clothes are more likely to chafe if they stay wet (i.e., if you don’t get out of the rain!).

 

While it should keep you dry, raingear need not be heavy nor swelteringly unbreathable.  If you sweat like you are in a sauna while wearing it, the gear isn’t really doing you much good: you’re still getting wet, but now you’re getting stinky, too.  Note that windproof items are not necessarily rain-proof.  Each has its place, but something that will keep you dry is a must.

 

Quick-Dry Clothing.  If you have good rain gear, why do you need quick-dry clothing?  First of all, you will eventually get caught in the rain without your rain gear, and wearing clothing that dries quickly can be the next best thing.  Secondly, quick-dry clothing stands a better chance of actually drying in humid conditions, and can help with that evaporative cooling.  And lastly, if on a longer trip you choose to only pack a few articles of clothing and wash them rather than overloading your luggage with lots of clothes, the quick-dry variety will be ready to wear or pack much sooner than their heavier counterparts. 

 

Do you have to buy specially-marked “quick-dry” clothing?  Absolutely not.  Just pack clothes that, well, dry quickly.  It may sound too obvious, but it really is that simple.

 

Layers.  Wearing layers is a much better solution to variable weather conditions than a single, bulkier article of clothing.  Most of the time, our outdoor adventures will involve multiple variations in temperature: the sun’s warmth increases as the morning fades; rain cools; we get hot while hiking and chilly while resting on a log in the shadows of the forest.  The ability to shed and don layers is the secret to staying comfortable throughout whatever Mother Nature decides to throw our way.

 

Good hiking socks.  We mentioned them last month, but they are so important that we will mention them again: wear good hiking socks that wick moisture away from your feet, and change them half-way through your hike.  Wool socks tend to be good at this and have the added benefit of resisting odors longer than many other fabrics - a definite advantage, at least to your fellow travelers.  The newer wools are also much softer than their traditional counterparts, work well in hot weather as well as cold, and are not at all scratchy.  If you aren’t familiar with the new wools, try them.  You’ll discover a delightful surprise.

 

Permethrin.  I can hear you now: “Wait, what?  I thought this section was about clothing.”  It is.  Permethrin is a chemical that helps to make the most of your clothes’ potential by turning them into insect-repelling powerhouses.  You simply spray your clothes with the Permethrin prior to embarking on your trip.  The repellant lasts through six weeks or six washes, whichever comes first.  The days of getting a full-body spray of “OFF!” are gone (thank goodness).  Now we need only get dressed to have a good start on hiding from the pesky rascals.  A bit of traditional bug spray on any exposed skin and we are set for an enjoyable day.  (As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.  As if I really had to tell you that.)

 

An aside: we have used Permethrin to good effect multiple times, and it has successfully minimized the number of issues we have experienced with a wide range of insects.  A notable exception: tse-tse flies.  However, deet didn’t appear to work on them, either, and in fact seemed to attract  them.  Diesel fuel most definitely attracted them, and they appeared to prefer men to women …

 

And of course, a hat and sunglasses.  Or in Jodi’s case, multiple pairs of sunglasses, as at least one always manages to go belly-up on our trips.  Always.

 

 

 

Introducing Monthly Specials

 

This month marks the inauguration of a new promotion at City Escapes Nature Photography: monthly specials.  Each month, we will choose two images, one landscape and one critter, that we will offer at 10% off in a given presentation.  This is not an either/or offer, so buy one for yourself and the other for a friend.  Or both for yourself, and a third for a friend.  Or both for a friend, and …

 

To kick things off in style, we present two customer favorites during the month of March: “Descending Storm” and “Cat Nap – Leopard”. This month’s presentation: unframed, 8x12 prints.

Be sure to check each month’s newsletter to find out what’s on offer, and to find a link to our website’s Specials Page: http://www.cityescapesphotography.com/specials/

 

The fine print:

 

-      A “given presentation” refers to a specific size, media (paper or canvas), and framing option (or lack thereof).

-      Paper prints will be referred to as “prints,” while canvas will be referred to as “canvas prints.”

-      The number of images available at the discounted rate will vary based upon the number of images remaining in the run size, but will never be less than ten at the outset of the special.

-      Normal shipping rates will apply.

-      The free return policy remains unaffected.  However, if the eligible returned image is exchanged for a different image that is not part of that month’s discounted specials, the difference in price will be due prior to the new image shipping.

 

 

 

March’s Fun Facts

 

The third week of March is National Poison Prevention Week.  Be sure to avoid these critters during that week (and generally); they are some of the most poisonous in the world!

1.    Box jellyfish                                     6. Stonefish

2.    King Cobra                                       7. Brazilian Wandering Spider (aka Banana Spider)

3.    Marbled Cone Snail  (Really!)              8. Inland Taipan

4.     Blue-Ringed Octopus                         9. Golden Poison Dart Frog

5.    Death Stalker Scorpion                       10. Puffer Fish

 

 

 

If you have any questions, or suggestions for future newsletters, please email us at: relationships@cityescapesphotography.com

 

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CITY ESCAPES Nature Photography, LLC

www.cityescapesphotography.com

509-396-5154