Dominique Navarro's Blog, page 18
July 10, 2014
Foxy Paparazzi
Originally posted on MANTA PUBLICATIONS:
These Island Foxes are as curious about me as I am about them.
The Island Fox guide is available on Amazon.
Filed under: Uncategorized
June 24, 2014
Ancient Egypt Magazine – Review of the AUC Press Nature Foldouts – No 84 (Vol 14.6) June / July 2014
Very pleased to have my complimentary copy of Ancient Egypt Magazine arrive in the mail from England, so kindly sent by Deputy Editor Sarah Griffiths. Thanks to John Wyatt, who gave her copies of the AUC Press Nature Foldouts, Sarah included a book review of the foldouts—specifically the Birds of the Nile Valley— as well as further information on the other Nature Foldouts currently available.
Ancient Egypt Magazine is an extrememly impressive publication out of England, filled with fantastic photography and the latest information on the world of Egyptology, including discoveries, excavations and research on the history of Egypt from Predynastic times to the modern era.
For more information or to order Ancient Egypt Magazine go to their website: http://ancientegyptmagazine.co.uk
To see an online version of their current book reviews, including their review of Birds of the Nile Valley; An AUC Press Nature Foldout: http://www.ancientegyptmagazine.co.uk/reviews84.htm
Thanks so much to Sarah Griffiths and John Wyatt!
Filed under: AUC Press Nature Foldout News Updates, AUC Press Nature Foldout Reviews, Press
June 20, 2014
Catholic Churches, Condors, Panama Hats, and the Middle of the World in Quito, Ecuador
My last day in Quito was spent sightseeing the city itself, and that included its incredible Catholic Churches. This one—the Basílica del Voto Nacional—is the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas, which began its construction in 1892. It is massive and unique in the city, but the most captivating thing about it is its “grotesque” sculptures decorating the exterior of the building in the form of a variety of native Ecuadorian animals, including Galapoagos Penguins, Puma, Galapagos Land and Marine Iguana, and other exotic creatures…
Galapagos Tortoises…
Long Nosed Armadillo and Capuchin Monkeys…
and Amazon Black Caiman…
In the Plaza de la Independencia stands the Monumento a la Indepencia including a sculpture of the Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, breaking the chains for independence. This magnificent bird has a wingspan of up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters). Despite being the national symbol of Ecuador, this condor like the California Condor (which became extinct in the wild in 1987), is considered near threatened, requiring conservation, captive breeding, and reintroduction programs.
At the Church of San Francisco (Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco), I went on a quick detour to a shop in the square specializing in Panama Hats (which originate in Ecuador made from toquilla palm).
The courtyard of the monastery was filled with the lovely sounds of parakeets…
Red-masked Parakeet, Psittacara erythrogenys
My final destination for the day was the “middle of the world,” or Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, north of Quito. The monument (with an excellent museum inside) commemorates the first Geodesic Mission of the French Academy of Sciences in the year 1736, which conducted experiments to test the flattening at the poles of the characteristic shape of the Earth, by comparing the distance between a degree meridian in the equatorial zone to another level measured in Sweden. They believed this was the “middle of the world,” the exact point of the equator line, for which Ecuador is named after.
In the distance, where the clouds fill the valley, is my next destination upon my future, inevitable return to Quito (I hope): the Mindo Nambillo Cloud Forest. Here one can find the cedro tree, aguacatillo, arrayan, canelo and plants like berries, hill red peppers, ortiga, and—most significantly—up to 4,500 species of orchids! It is also well-known for its butterflies and hummingbirds, along with over 350 other birds!
Thank you Quito, for a wonderful, and successful, three days in your remarkable city!
Filed under: Related Stories
June 19, 2014
“Growing Up Galapagos” Press Check in Quito, Ecuador
At Imprenta Mariscal today for the press check and printing of “Growing Up Galapagos” Children’s Book commissioned by Celebrity Cruises. Written by Celebrity naturalist, Dr. Ellen Prager with illustrations by Dawn N. Ericson. Editing, map illustration, and a few of the many photographs by Dominique Navarro. Published by Manta Publications.
Filed under: Related Stories
TelefériQo, Volcanoes, Alpacas, and the World Cup in Quito, Ecuador
With only a few days in Quito, Ecuador, I am trying to make use of every minute of my time here. This morning—with just a couple of work errands left—I decided to take the TelefériQo, one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, to get a better view of the city which lies in a long valley surrounded by the Andes mountain range and a multitude of active volcanoes.
The tramway drops one off at an altitude of about 13,000 feet, above Quito.
Outside the city, agricultural fields thrive. Ecuador has some of the most amazing produce I have ever experienced, well-known for their roses, coffees, and chocolates especially.
Behind me is the Pichincha Volcano. It erupted in 1999 and covered the city with several inches of ash.
Gorgeous Andean Lupins, Lupinus mutabilis, grow at this high altitude.
As I came along the winding trails of the mountain peaks, I was surprised and overjoyed to find three alpacas…
YouTube: Alpalcas and their baby, looking out over Quito, Ecuador
Alpacas, Vicugna pacos, are like small llamas, both of which are part of the family of Camelidae, which includes camels. They are bred specifically for their wool-like hair which is wonderfully fine and soft.
I could have spent the whole day with this sweet little baby. He was highly entertaining…
After a few errands in the afternoon, picking up the final book prints from Imprenta Mariscal and a quick stop at my favorite copper & stone craftsman Fernando at the Mercado Artesanal La Mariscal, my evening was open… but there was one issue I had to consider. At 5pm, all of Quito was stopping everything for an extremely important event: the World Cup. Ecuador versus Honduras. Despite exhaustion after so many non-stop days of work, travel, more work, and sight-seeing, I made my way over to the Quicentro Shopping Mall, where families and people of all ages had densely gathered to watch the game. It was the first time I had watched any sporting event with enthusiasm—I certainly wanted Ecuador to win! And happily, I joined the crowd in their extreme joy: Ecuador won!
YouTube: Ecuador World Cup – Goal!
YouTube: Ecuador World Cup – Winning the Game!
Filed under: Related Stories
June 18, 2014
“Growing Up Galapagos” by Manta Publications Getting Printed This Week in Quito, Ecuador
Arrived in Quito, Ecuador tonight… off to a press check tomorrow at Imprenta Mariscal for the printing of a children’s book on Galapagos!
“Growing Up Galapagos” Children’s Book commissioned by Celebrity Cruises to celebrate 10 years of charting the archipelagos, and working with author and Celebrity’s superb naturalist, Dr. Ellen Prager this book will be printed in Ecuador by Imprente Marsical in 2014. Published by MANTA Publications.
Filed under: Related Stories
“Growing Up Galapagos” Press Check in Quito, Ecuador
At Imprenta Mariscal today for the press check and printing of “Growing Up Galapagos” Children’s Book commissioned by Celebrity Cruises. Written by Celebrity naturalist, Dr. Ellen Prager with illustrations by Dawn N. Ericson. Editing, map illustration, and a few of the many photographs by Dominique Navarro. Published by Manta Publications.
Filed under: Related Stories
June 17, 2014
“Growing Up Galapagos” by Manta Publications Getting Printed This Week in Quito, Ecuador
Arrived in Quito, Ecuador tonight… off to a press check tomorrow at Imprenta Mariscal for the printing of a children’s book on Galapagos!
“Growing Up Galapagos” Children’s Book commissioned by Celebrity Cruises to celebrate 10 years of charting the archipelagos, and working with author and Celebrity’s superb naturalist, Dr. Ellen Prager this book will be printed in Ecuador by Imprente Marsical in 2014. Published by MANTA Publications.
Filed under: Related Stories
June 4, 2014
Another nice message about the Nature Foldouts today…
It’s my honor to contact you Dominique. I love it too much, also I have 2 books of this amazing series. Thanks for add, hope to you more success in your art . – Amr
Filed under: AUC Press Nature Foldout Reviews
