Equipped with just a machete, a head torch and a camera, wandering off into the darkness may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for the Crees Foundation’s Assistant Rainforest Journalist, Jack Mortimer, he could not ask for more.
When the sun sets, the Manu Learning Centre (MLC) becomes a very eerie place with encroaching darkness and limited light. The ability to see in this dark environment ultimately comes down to the power of your head torch.
Most inhabitants of the MLC, whether they are permanent staff or visiting volunteers, are tucked in bed soon after nightfall, but for a few of our residents the night becomes their “play time”.
These night owl surveyors either set out into the forest to view and collect data of reptiles and amphibians on visual encounter surveys (VES) or wander off into the night to search for and photograph nocturnal critters. These surveys can take you into the deepest, darkest parts of the reserve, but you don’t always need to travel far to discover a plethora of fascinating nocturnal species.
While the camp becomes a quiet place around this time, other parts of the MLC come alive, as Tailless Whip Scorpions emerge on trees overhanging the stream near camp and the orchestral song of frogs can be heard down toward the gardens.
For myself, as a macro photographer, the forest surrounding the MLC is my playground; it is a place that I feel truly in my element. However, with this passion for late nights and finding nocturnal subjects comes a great fear of the unknown, as I am only able to light up the path directly in front of my feet. Just walking a couple of hundred meters from camp, my adrenaline levels soar as low flying bats swoop just inches from my face, ominous shadows of unknown creatures lurk in the trees above me, and red glowing eyes meet my stare into the darkness.
These ever-present risks come with great rewards – and one particular place within the MLC thrives as soon as the sun goes down: the biogarden. This is perhaps my favourite location to shoot subjects, especially after a long day of rain. Walking down the dark and uneven path, the deafening sound of calling frogs always draws me in.
Although the Biogarden is in such close proximity to camp, I never know what I’m going to find. I’ve seen species I don’t recognise and have even been surprised by an ocelot. Yet sometimes all I can see before me is the darkness.
