For the next few days I will be uploading the work of photographers in Trinidad that I think are doing amazing work. I'm starting with Stephen Broadbridge, a neighbour and very respected tour operator.
Just up the road from my house is No 9 Fondes Amandes Rd. This charming residence is the homebase of Caribbean Discovery Tours which is run by Stephen Broadbridge.
Stephen has an obvious deep love of Trinidad and Tobago and it shows in his photography. He manages to capture the essence of natural Trinidad with its cultural nuances and extraordinary wildlife. Having just travelled around the Western Caribbean, it's amazing how different our topography is to the rest of the Caribbean. We are really so much more South American.
Stephen offers wildlife and adventure tours and the copy on his website http://www.caribbeandiscoverytours.com/about_us.html
reads in part that as a photographer of wildlife he supplies an archive of forest, wetland and urban images for international publications-periodicals, brochures and posters such as The Economist, Island Magazine and Eco Traveller Magazine.
Stephen offers organisation and management advice and guidance for academic courses and special services for Filmmakers. He co-produced the award winning wild-life documentary, "Wild T and T" and assisted the BBC on their filming of "Wild Caribbean".
I really believe that different sides of our twin Republic are shown through the eyes of every lens. But onto Stephen's work.
Copyright of all photos below belongs to photographer Stephen Broadbridge. Thanks for letting us see your work, Stephen.
An aerial view of Tobago- Isn't she lovely?
Green Honey Creeper, Northern Range. Trinidad. I don't think I've ever seen one up this close.
A Red legged Honey Creeper. Northern Range.Trinidad is considered one the top 10 best places on the globe for birding with over 450 species.
I'm not sure what type of bird this is? Craig, help!
Or this one. Craig or Stephen, help!
Tobago- I love this photo because Tobago's Immortelles are indescribable. Rows and rows of this incredible red tree. Often called "mother of the cocoa" or "madre de cacao" becuase it was used on the cocoa estates to provide crucial shade for the cocoa trees.
A Chestnut Woodpecker. This one is different to the one I had posted before which was black and red.
An anaconda which can get enormous. These snakes are hypnotic in their sheer size and muscular movement. As beautiful as they are, I would not like to come face to face with one of them in the mangrove.
Local porcupine. I have only ever seen one in my life. They are quite secretive and not commonly seen in urban areas.
Dawn at Manzanilla Beach on the Southeastern coast. The massive collection of coconut estates runs for several miles along beach. Many of the oil rigs are located off this coastline and at night, it is often striking to see the oil rigs on the horizon under the rising moon
Carnival!
Celebrating Divali. The traditional Hindu festival of lights that usually takes place in October. It generally ushers in the Christmas season and has become one of the country's most beloved festivals.
Phagwa- Another Indian festical where coloured water called "abeer" is thrown on celebrants.
Phagwa is a festival of fun and laughter. It celebrates springtime and renewal, harking back to the ancient life of the holy youth Prahalad, whose name means joy. The climax of the day is the Festival of Colours, a street celebration where people arrive wearing white and leave alive with colour, their clothes having been squirted with brightly-dyed water called abeer. This is Pichakaree, an art form in which humanity is the canvas. The festival offers devotees a unique opportunity for release and self-expression. http://www.search.co.tt/trinidad/phagwa/what.html
La Cuevas Beach
Sorting anthuriums in the country.
Mending the nets
One of our very special ecosystems- the Nariva swamp
