Author: Ian Markham

An ecologist by training and a naturalist by passion, I am interested in the application of these realms to conservation and communication. I am an avid wildlife photographer and aspiring videographer and use multimedia to promote conservation groups and issues. My heart, soul, and career will probably remain torn between the call of coral reefs and rainforests, but there will always be a special place in my heart for the cold kelp forests of my Californian home. At the Nicholas school I am pursuing a Master’s of Environmental Management in Ecosystem Science and Conservation while conducting research in central Africa and launching a new student organization called Stories for Nature and People (aka “S.N.A.P.”).
Ian Markham
alumni

Fijian Reefs

Known as “the soft coral capital of the world” Fijian reefs sport colorful displays of gorgeous Dendronepthyia, Gorgonians, and more particularly on healthy reefs. In the Namena marine reserve these beautiful soft corals are surrounded by thronging masses of fish thanks to years of successful implementation of a locally managed marine protected area

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Ian Markham
alumni

East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

After a long drift along a wall of coral off East New Britain, Papua New Guinea we ended in an eddy of current over a coral garden. Gathered here was a glittering cloud of juvenile anthias and chromis, no fish bigger than a few centimeters #kabairabeachhideaway #PapuaNewGuinea #png #southpacific #Nature #naturephotography #underwaterphotography #Diving #scuba #colors #fish

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Ian Markham
alumni

Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, as in many parts of the Pacific, bird feathers are collected to make headdresses and in places were even exchanged as currency. This wonderful man in Deka Deka village on Ferguson island displays a mixture or the local eclectus parrot and what appear to be chicken feathers. As some local birds become more scarce people adapt often with the materials at hand.

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Ian Markham
alumni, conservation, environmental health, ESC, forests, marine studies, students, sustainability, travel

Frigates, War Canoes, and Volcanoes

Arriving at dawn flanked by frigates and war canoes to Banda island, it struck me that, were we calling into port in the 16th century, we would be more than likely to have a hail of cannonfire or spears being lobbed at us by way of greeting. The “Spice Islands,” however, have mellowed considerably with age.

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Ian Markham
alumni, conservation, environmental health, ESC, forests, marine studies, marine-lab, students, sustainability, travel

Stirrings in the deep

Diving in the Kelp forest mostly brings me a tranquility I find hard to come by elsewhere. Yet in my past three months working at the Hopkin’s Marine Station of Stanford University first as the teaching assistant in a kelp forest Ecology course and then as a diving technician, I have observed strange stirrings and shifts in the kelp forest that give me anxiety.

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Ian Markham
alumni

Excited to be back in this land of wonders large and small (such as this Pygmy sea horse). Stay tuned for new pics and posts as I cruise around New Guinea then Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tahiti with National Geographic Lindblad expeditions as a staff naturalist! Dream come true

Excited to be back in this land of wonders large and small (such as this Pygmy sea horse). Stay tuned for new pics and posts as I cruise around New Guinea then Fiji, the Cook Islands and Tahiti with National Geographic Lindblad expeditions as a staff naturalist! Dream come true! #NatGeo #NaionalGeographic #Indonesia #Photography #underwaterphotography #Nature #naturephotography #adventure #exploreindonesia #explore #Ocean

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