Ian and Helen Waldren have a life long interest in natural history and lived for 24 years on a bush property bordering the Dandenong Ranges National Park in Victoria Australia. During this period 12 annual field trips were made to the Northern section of Cape York Peninsula studying Herpetofauna and birds. Now the long term plan to retire to the Wet Tropics region has been realised. Living in the Mossman district and having the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest on their doorstep, they feel very fortunate.
Now retired from a career in Government, Ian is pursuing his interests as an amateur naturalist and nature photographer specialising in Herpetology and Ornithology. Ian has tertiary qualifications in Agricultural & Environmental Science and post graduate qualifications in Management. A passion for reptiles and amphibians developed at a very early age and includes 30 years experience in the captive husbandry of snakes, particularly Australian pythons; and authoring articles for herpetological journals.
Helen has worked for the past 30 years in Senior Management/Executive positions in the Corporate Business sector, the last 7 years being in the Not-for-Profit sector. Helen's background includes post graduate qualifications in Business Management including Strategic Marketing and Planning. In the recent past Helen has developed and led Strategic Planning and Strategic Marketing Projects for two Conservation Organisations and also supported other conservation groups in a Pro-Bono capacity.
The objectives of this site are:
- To document and illustrate the fauna, flora and diverse habitats of Far North Queensland.
- To be a general guide and information source for visitors to and residents of the region.
- To compliment other sites providing regional information.
- To promote ecotourism and the conservation of the regions natural assets.
The site is work in progress.
Web design and development by Helen Waldren.
Observations, photographs and narrative by Ian Waldren - most photographs are taken on Canon 60D, 80D and 7D Mk2 bodies with various Canon and Sigma lenses. A small number are converted from film negatives. Photographs are for illustrative purposes. The quality of some images is poor and these will be replaced with superior images as opportunities arise. (C) in the caption denotes a captive subject.
All photographs are subject to copyright, if you want to use one please ask and quality RAW or JPEG files can be provided.
Contact Ian Waldren by email: wildtropicalqueensland@gmail.com
