daisygilardini

Photo by @daisygilardini | Bearded seals are the biggest of the four Arctic true seals.
Their common name comes from the thick, white whiskers which tent to curl when dry.
As they are depended on sea ice for pupping, moulting and resting this species is vulnerable to the reduction and duration of the sea ice due to climate change.

On expedition with @amazingviewsphototours @martinenckell and @audundahl #seal #beardedseal #polar #Arctic #Svalbard #birdphotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital @sailracingofficial #sailracing

50 3,966 12 hours ago

Artwork by @davidmceown | “Polar Bear , #7 ”, 22 x 30 inches , watercolour.
Thrilling to be on lookout for polar bears along the ice edge. Sometime we are lucky and a curious bear will visit the ship before moving on, often hunting for seals.
This painting was a demonstration for a workshop i conducted in which we investigated colour, and technique while I shared some bear encounter stories from expeditions observing and sketching these amazing animals in their natural habitat. Really looking forward to return to the arctic this summer.

Follow David @davidmceown for more watercolour paintings and stories behind the scenes.

#bear #polarbear #polarbearart #arctic #explorethearctic #wildlifeart #wildlife #amimalart #watercolor #watercolour #watercolorpainting #artworkshop #artdemo #conservation #climatechange #cangeo #watercolorartist #watercolor_zone #acuarelle #aquarelle

47 4,482 8 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | As the shocking news that one species in eight is in danger of extinction sinks in, we humans have to understand  we're not only destroying other species, we are destroying our own habitat.

We're no longer just acting on behalf of other species. We have to realize we have to act for ourselves, right now. For clean soil, clean water and clean air. For our survival.
The beauty of the Arctic, and its pristine ice, is disappearing faster than anyone predicted. It's no longer about protecting polar bears and seals. It's about saving human lives.

There is still hope. We still have a short window of time if — all together, globally — we start acting instead of preaching. Doing, instead of talking.

#ice #polar #biodiversity #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Svalbard

47 4,430 7 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | In April , after spending the winter in large flocks in the Barent’s Sea, Icleand, Greenland and Newfoundland, Bruenich’s Guillemots (aka Thick-bille Murre) slowly return to their nesting cliffs in Svalbard. These birds have fast wings beats, due to their short wings. They might look clumsy taking off, but are superb divers. They can reach depths of up to 150m in order to catch fish, and can stay underwater for several minutes at a time.
On expedition with @amazingviewsphototours @martinenckell and @audundahl #bird #guillemot #polar #Svalbard #birdphotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital @sailracingofficial #sailracing

30 4,807 6 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | As much as I love the polar regions with the simplicity of the landscapes I love the complexity of the forest. Spending time in the rain forest is an incredible experience. It involves all senses and perceptions. The smell of trees and mosses fills your nostrils; the rain bouncing off leaves has an almost percussion-like effect on your ears. The raven’s call often announces the arrival of the spirit of the forest: the white bear.
The Kermode bear — also known as “mooksgm’ol “ by the First Nations — is a rare subspecies of the American black bear. Due to a unique, recessive gene, it has white-coloured fur.
It's always special when a wild animal peacefully accepts your presence and doesn't show any sign of stress or change in behaviour.

#bear #spiritbear #kermodebear #greatbearrainforest #britishcolumbia #canada #explorecanada #cangeo #nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital

117 9,926 5 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | Penguins rely on their layer of fat to protect them against the cold while in the water, on dry land, keeping warm is all about their feathers.
Penguins have different layers of scale-like feathers to protect them from the frigid Antarctic winds. Beneath their main, outer layer of feathers, we can find after-feathers (small downy plumes attached to the main feathers), plumules ( a type of downy feather that is attached directly to the skin) and filoplumes (small, hair-like feathers with barbs at the tip of the shaft). King Penguin - South Georgia Island
#penguin #adeliepenguin #Antarctica #climatechange #nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital @oneoceanexp #oneoceanexpeditions

83 8,030 4 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | Arctic foxes are very well adapted to survive extremely cold environments. Their white winter coat is the perfect camouflage. Their short ears, short nose and furry soles have also been adapted to cope with such an extreme environment. In spring, their colour changes to brown/grey, to adapt to the colour palette of their new environment.

During my last expedition to Svalbard, we had a close encounter with this beautiful fox just as its fur coat was starting to change colour.
On expedition with @amazingviewsphototours @martinenckell and @audundahl #fox #arcticfox #polar #Svalbard #wildlifephotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital @sailracingofficial #sailracing

132 9,456 3 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | A mother bear with her two newborns rests in a day den while on her way to the frozen ice of Hudson Bay. Once she leaves the maternity den and the trek begins, she will stop periodically to nurse and rest.

Day dens are wind-protected areas, where snowdrifts and surrounding trees create a natural shelter from the elements.

#polarbear #bear #polar #wapusknationalpark #motherhood #cute #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital

208 16,085 2 May, 2019

Video by @daisygilardini | Nothing better than an ice floe for a back scratch!

Walrus skin is tough. Its thickness can vary from 1.5 to 3.9 inches (4 to 10cm). The skin’s brown colour grows paler as the animal ages. At birth, they’re usually dark brown. That fades to cinnamon in mature individuals.
Skin colour also varies depending on body temperature. The hotter the animal, the pinkier the skin; the colder the animal, the whiter.
Shot with drone permit n. RPAS 4503, issued by Civil Aviation Authority – Norway - on expedition with @martinenckell and @roymangersnes

#walrus #polar #Svalbard #dronephotography #drone #wildlifephotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital @sailracingofficial #sailracing

577 23,668 1 May, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | Belugas are one of the smallest species of whales distributed widely throughout the Arctic regions.

They are social animals. They live in small pods and very vocal. Their vocalizations consist of clicks, whistles and clangs, which can resemble birds singing. Because of that, they’re sometimes called ‘canaries of the sea’ or ‘sea canaries.’ Photographing from the surface is extremely challenging. Seen from the surface, when they emerge to breath you usually only see a small part of their back. To capture these beautiful creatures, it’s best to go with underwater or aerial photography.

Shot with drone permit n. RPAS 4503, issued by Civil Aviation Authority – Norway - on expedition in partnership with @amazingviewsphototours - guides @martinenckell and @audundahl.

#beluga #polar #Svalbard #dronephotography #drone #wildlifephotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital #nofeenocontent #sailracingofficial #sailracing

68 5,089 30 April, 2019

Photo by @daisygilardini | Spring is an extremely interesting time to explore the frozen fjords of Svalbard.
Polar bears are looking for the Ringed seals pups that are born and hidden in snow lair on the fjord ice.
It is an heartbreaking scene but it is life in the Arctic. Love the seals as much as the bears.

Polar bears are at the top of the Arctic food chain, and are the only truly carnivorous bears. Seals make up 90 percent of their diet. They need fear no other species — except humans.
Polar bear lives are broken into two seasons. The first is winter, the feasting season, when bears hunt seals while roaming on the pack ice. And then there is summer, the fasting season, when the absence of ice pushes the bears onto land, with scarce food sources.

Shot on expedition in partnership with @amazingviewsphototours. Thanks to our guides @martinenckell @audundahl
#polar #Svalbard #polarbear #bear #seal #ringed seal #landscapephotography #conservation #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #Nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #motherhood #mother #cuddle #cute #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizedoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital #nofeenocontent #sailracingofficial #sailracing

300 15,367 29 April, 2019

Photo by @DaisyGilardini // Despite the fact that the brown bear is the most widely distributed of all the eight species of bears, and its worldwide population is stable, its North American range has declined dramatically. Once extending from Alaska to Mexico, its territory south of Canada is now limited to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Washington.
Coastal bears diet includes salmons and clams, which provide the nutrients to build up the fat reserves necessary for the winter hibernation. Protecting these coasts means protecting the land ecosystem that depends on a healthy marine environment. Lake Clark National Park – Alaska
#alaska #bear #brownbear #grizzlybear #conservation #lakeclarkationalpark #nikon #lowepro #loweprobags #gitzoinspires #frametheextraordinary #Framedongitzo @gitzoinspires #eizousa #visualizeoneizo #sandisk #westerndigital #nofeenocontent

94 8,941 28 April, 2019