National Wildlife Day
Twice a year on February 22 and September 4, National Wildlife Day is commemorated to bring awareness to endangered animals both nationally and globally. More broadly, the day is meant to educate the public, especially the world’s youth, on the importance of conversation. Today, to support and bring awareness to these endeavors, FIUTS is excited to share the wildlife photography of Cameron Ho, FIUTS Facilitator and UW senior majoring in Environmental Science & Resource Management: Wildlife Conservation.
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How did you first become involved with FIUTS? Do you have a favorite FIUTS memory?
My favorite FIUTS memory by far has to be participating in CulturalFest during my freshman year. The reason I learned about and joined FIUTS is that a facilitator reached out to me during a freshman event and asked if I would be interested in participating in planning this amazing event. Being able to work alongside students from around the world on this project opened up a community that most American students are not aware of exists on-campus. The icing on the cake was that I got to see all the hard work everyone put into their booths and how much their efforts were appreciated and enjoyed by the elementary school students that were able to attend.
Tell us about your interest in wildlife photography and birding. What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects?
Wildlife photography and birding (bird-watching) is a never-ending adventure for me. There is always a new species, behavior, or interaction to see. One great part about birding is that you can be anywhere in the world and see amazing, beautiful birds. The first two pictures (Anna's hummingbird and green heron) were taken on the UW campus over at UBNA and the Urban Horticultural Center.
“Anna’s Hummingbird,” photo by Cameron Ho. All rights reserved.
“Green Heron,” photo by Cameron Ho. All rights reserved.
One of the greatest challenges with wildlife photography is that animals often won't cooperate with you. Even if you understand their behavior and where they like to hang out, there is no guarantee that they will show up. I've spent many hours walking around UBNA and I have never gotten a better shot of an Anna's hummingbird than this one a couple of days after I got my camera. Nor have I ever seen another green heron, or any other bird for that matter, licking its beak.
The next two pictures (white-collared manakin and azure-crowned hummingbird) were taken in Belize. Birding can take you all over the world in search of exotic colors and sounds and can be a great excuse to explore new places and cultures. I have found that there are birders around the world and this passion is one of the best ways to connect with people. The best part is that anyone can participate. Even if all you have is your phone and a cheap pair of binoculars, you can share what you see with others!
“Azure-Crowned Hummingbird,” photo by Cameron Ho. All rights reserved.
“White-Collard Manakin,” photo by Cameron Ho. All rights reserved.
Cameron Ho is a senior majoring in Environmental Science & Resource Management: Wildlife Conservation at the University of Washington. He became involved with FIUTS during his freshman year while helping to plan CulturalFest International Expo, the largest multicultural student event on the UW campus, and has since become a FIUTS Facilitator. Are you interested in becoming a student leader with FIUTS? Learn more today!
Guest posts on the FIUTS blog represent the experiences and views of individual writers. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FIUTS or any organizations or institutions affiliated with our programs.