Advice for a Canadian conservation biologist travelling to Oz!

[RMBolton]

Greetings all,

My name is Ryan Bolton and I am a conservation biologist, professional photographer, and television host from Canada. I am currently supposed to be in Australia right now assisting in conservation genetics research on various lizard species; however, a shoulder separation injury has put my work on hold for a few weeks.

What I am looking for here is some advice on best times of year to travel and any specific advice regarding particularly diverse hotspots. I ask that any advice regarding sites be limited to private communication (site confidentiality is extremely important). I encourage you to read about my initiative and who I am here: The Art of Conservation: Wildlife Conservation Through Visual Imagery As mentioned, I am a conservation biologist with many peer-reviewed publications on at risk reptiles in Canada and Costa Rica, so I hope my devotion, training and experience are indicative of my trustworthiness. I am also an invited member of the IUCN's Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group.

I intend to travel to Adelaide and drive to Darwin over the course of 3-4 weeks. The entire purpose of these self-funded expeditions is to collect visual imagery and make it freely available to any conservation organization that may benefit. My work has taken me all over the world, and I couldn't do it without assistance from experienced people in the area.

With all that said, and to reiterate my primary requests, I am hoping to get an idea of best times of year to visit to maximize my exposure to Australia's reptiles and amphibians (given my travel path from Adelaide to Darwin) and any advice regarding specific points along the way. Please feel free to post any general advice in reply here, but I encourage any specific information be sent privately (email is [email protected]).

Thanks very much in advance! I really cannot do what I do without assistance from like-minded individuals such as yourselves.

Best,
Ryan M. Bolton, MSc

 

[RyanR]

Greetings all,

My name is Ryan Bolton and I am a conservation biologist, professional photographer, and television host from Canada. I am currently supposed to be in Australia right now assisting in conservation genetics research on various lizard species; however, a shoulder separation injury has put my work on hold for a few weeks.

What I am looking for here is some advice on best times of year to travel and any specific advice regarding particularly diverse hotspots. I ask that any advice regarding sites be limited to private communication (site confidentiality is extremely important). I encourage you to read about my initiative and who I am here: The Art of Conservation: Wildlife Conservation Through Visual Imagery As mentioned, I am a conservation biologist with many peer-reviewed publications on at risk reptiles in Canada and Costa Rica, so I hope my devotion, training and experience are indicative of my trustworthiness. I am also an invited member of the IUCN's Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group.

I intend to travel to Adelaide and drive to Darwin over the course of 3-4 weeks. The entire purpose of these self-funded expeditions is to collect visual imagery and make it freely available to any conservation organization that may benefit. My work has taken me all over the world, and I couldn't do it without assistance from experienced people in the area.

With all that said, and to reiterate my primary requests, I am hoping to get an idea of best times of year to visit to maximize my exposure to Australia's reptiles and amphibians (given my travel path from Adelaide to Darwin) and any advice regarding specific points along the way. Please feel free to post any general advice in reply here, but I encourage any specific information be sent privately (email is [email protected]).

Thanks very much in advance! I really cannot do what I do without assistance from like-minded individuals such as yourselves.

Best,
Ryan M. Bolton, MSc

Mind you, I've never met Ryan personally... that being said,

Being an avid hobbiest up here in Canada, I can say for as far back as I can remember he has been a stand up guy in the Canadian reptile hobby and has done nothing but good for the hobby both national and international. I can personally say I ~Think~ (Unless there are ones i'm not sure of) That I have read ALL publications by Ryan, including his posts on our biggest Canadian reptile forum..

It would certainly be in the hobbies best interest, from a conservation and learning stand point for a couple of you prominant Australian keepers to take this chance to work with Ryan and or help with with atleast the information that will help him make his trip a successful one.


Best of luck with your trip Ryan, Australia is without a doubt the holy grail .

RyanR.

 

[Mulgaaustralis]

Hi Ryan

The best times would for your journey would be between be the wet season.
You may want to be careful of flood waters on the way through channel country and tropical Australia.
I'll be doing a similar trip to yours this coming summer as well!
I wish you luck.

 

[RMBolton]

Thank you very much for the vote of confidence, Ryan! It is very much appreciated! Truly.

Thanks also to Mulgaaustralis and others who PM'd or emailed me! Any and all advice is extremely valuable to me, and I thank you for taking the time to provide the much-needed starting points.

Kindest regards,
Ryan