Sunday, October 7, 2007

Nature at it's Finest

This weekend, I was lucky enough to stumble over the work of a very talented Russian zoologist and freelance photographer named Konstantin E. Mikhailov. Mikhailov has a Ph.D. in Biology, his first passion, from Moscow University. His work as a scientist studying some of Russia's most beautiful regions and wildlife inspired Mikhailov to bring a camera with him always. However, the same vocation also forced Mikhailov to witness the devastation being caused by the world’s ignorance when it comes to preserving nature. Now Mikhailov is practicing his true passions: photography, writing and conservation. His work can be found in books and magazines, including National Geographic. I must say his pictures are a breathtaking method to educate mankind of the importance of nature. Most of Mikhailov’s pictures are of Russia’s vast mountains and forests, however; some are also of parts of Asia and Western Europe. I spent hours admiring the photographs on Mikhailov’s website. If you appreciate wildlife and beauty, you will find his collection extremely moving. Do yourself a favor and check it out: www.russiannature.com. I suggest looking at the Siberian Tigers, as well as skimming through all the seasons in the Season’s section. These pictures make me want to visit Russia before humans destroy all that is left of the natural world!

3 comments:

Dr. Michael A. Denner said...

courtney,
amazing stuff. i liked the bit on the european wild cat. looks just like my cat! russia has vast VAST VAST expanses of essentially unspoiled nature (not unlike your canada, only MUCH LARGER). i have never traveled much outside of urban russia, but one of these days i plan on doing so with bruce bradford, our russian geographer. want to come along?

Dr. Michael A. Denner said...

my son reports that our cat has nine rings on her tail, so she's not a european wild cat... darn. i was hoping to return her to her home.

Courtland said...

Yes! Now when my parents ask why I am taking Russian and not Spanish I can tell them I am preparing for a great Russian nature voyage! I imagine Russia being a lot like Alaska, which was beautiful. Lots of left over Russian tourist-type stuff there too. LOADS of those dolls you love...