We just spent two weeks on a Lindblad/National Geographic trip aboard the National Geographic Explorer. We were exploring "the fabled islands of the Indian Ocean." One of the things that made this trip so great was the staff. There were naturalists and specialists who knew everything about birds, plants, the ocean, and the islands we were visiting. There were also photo experts on the ship who helped us really learn how to use our cameras. There was even a National Geographic photographer on board, Michael Melford. Since I learned a lot from Michael and Guy Esparon, one of the naturalists who grew up in the Seychelles, I decided that for this blog I would interview them so that you could learn from them too.
So, here's my interview with Michael Melford, National Geographic Photographer:
Q: What is it like to work for National Geographic?
A: It's the best and worst job because I get to travel the world and share and photograph these wonderful things, but then the bad part is that I have children at home and I miss them.
Q: Is this your first time on a National Geographic boat?
A: No, I've also been to Baja, Galapagos, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Alaska.
Q: What do you like most about photography?
A: My favorite part about photography is sharing all the beautiful things I see with millions of people.
Q: How long have you been a photographer?
A: 32 years
Q: What is the most fabulous place you've been?
A: I really can't answer that because every place is so different.
Q: What advice would you give to kids who want to be photographers?
A: My advice for everyone is to find what you love to do and find out how to do it.
Q: Do you have any photo tips for kids?
A: Yes, try and notice things with your eyes that you've never seen before and look at the world differently.
So, here's my interview with Michael Melford, National Geographic Photographer:
Q: What is it like to work for National Geographic?
A: It's the best and worst job because I get to travel the world and share and photograph these wonderful things, but then the bad part is that I have children at home and I miss them.
Q: Is this your first time on a National Geographic boat?
A: No, I've also been to Baja, Galapagos, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Alaska.
Q: What do you like most about photography?
A: My favorite part about photography is sharing all the beautiful things I see with millions of people.
Q: How long have you been a photographer?
A: 32 years
Q: What is the most fabulous place you've been?
A: I really can't answer that because every place is so different.
Q: What advice would you give to kids who want to be photographers?
A: My advice for everyone is to find what you love to do and find out how to do it.
Q: Do you have any photo tips for kids?
A: Yes, try and notice things with your eyes that you've never seen before and look at the world differently.
And now for Guy Esparon, the local naturalist from the trip:
Q: What is it like to guide people around your home?
A: It is like a passion to show people my culture and how we live and take care of the islands.
Q: What island are you originally from?
A: Takamaka in Mahe, which is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.
Q: How long have you been on the National Geographic Explorer?
A: This is my first time working on this ship.
Q: What do you like most about the Seychelles?
A: The Aldabra group of islands because they have the largest population of giant tortoises and it's really nicely preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Q: How long have you guided people around the Seychelles?
A: For about six years now, mostly on ships and on small boats.
Q: What is the most spectacular part of the Seychelles?
A: All of the Seychelles are spectacular since we have two beautiful seasons, are surrounded by ocean and mountains, and have all sorts of plant life.
Q: What is your favorite part about the wildlife on the islands?
A: We have a lot of native birds and we are very focused on conservation. We are trying to get rid of introduced animals in the wild that are a threat to our native endangered species, like the scops owl and the giant tortoise.
Guy was great to tour the islands with and I also went with Michael on some photo tours. I've taken lots of pictures on this trip and below are my favorites. Click a picture to enlarge.
Q: What is it like to guide people around your home?
A: It is like a passion to show people my culture and how we live and take care of the islands.
Q: What island are you originally from?
A: Takamaka in Mahe, which is the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago.
Q: How long have you been on the National Geographic Explorer?
A: This is my first time working on this ship.
Q: What do you like most about the Seychelles?
A: The Aldabra group of islands because they have the largest population of giant tortoises and it's really nicely preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Q: How long have you guided people around the Seychelles?
A: For about six years now, mostly on ships and on small boats.
Q: What is the most spectacular part of the Seychelles?
A: All of the Seychelles are spectacular since we have two beautiful seasons, are surrounded by ocean and mountains, and have all sorts of plant life.
Q: What is your favorite part about the wildlife on the islands?
A: We have a lot of native birds and we are very focused on conservation. We are trying to get rid of introduced animals in the wild that are a threat to our native endangered species, like the scops owl and the giant tortoise.
Guy was great to tour the islands with and I also went with Michael on some photo tours. I've taken lots of pictures on this trip and below are my favorites. Click a picture to enlarge.
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Our family truly enjoyed the interviews you brother's did. My dad particularly liked Guy Esparon's answer ("It is like a passion to show people my culture and how we live and take care of the islands.to your question about guiding people around his home.")
We continue to enjoy your blog and exploring the world through your eyes.
(Dad writing this comment for Littlewelsh, who's 5).