https://www.alexjchege.com/blog
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0.75
2024-11-10
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/updates-from-the-field-on-kiwayu-island
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0.5
2024-11-10
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Blog - Updates From the Field on Kiwayu Island - Make it stand out
Construction of Kiwayu Iskand’s first seawall and jetty. One of many county development projects happening in Lamu. ©Alex Chege
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Blog - Updates From the Field on Kiwayu Island - Make it stand out
Lone fishermen make their way back to shore after an afternoon of fishing. ©Alex Chege
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Blog - Updates From the Field on Kiwayu Island - Make it stand out
An adult vervet male sits on an intertidal outcrop while manipulating a just caught marine crab. ©Alex Chege
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/adapting-to-variability-in-hominin-and-primate-histories
monthly
0.5
2024-09-11
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Blog - Adapting to variability in hominin and primate histories - Make it stand out
A fossil cast attributed to Paranthropus aethiopicus. The specimen's large sagittal crest, flared zygomatic arches and powerful jaws suggest adaptations for chewing hard foods such as grasses, nuts, and seeds.
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Blog - Adapting to variability in hominin and primate histories - Make it stand out
A Yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) quenching its thirst. One of the six widespread species belonging to genus Papio. © Alex Chege
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Blog - Adapting to variability in hominin and primate histories - Make it stand out
Like baboons, vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) adopt flexible strategies to survive in diverse ecological conditions. Like the genus Papio the genus Chlorocebus consists of six geographically widespread species occupying a range of habitats including savannahs (pictured here), woodlands, mangroves, and human-modified landscapes. © Alex Chege
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/solios-part-in-kenyas-rhinoceros-recoverynbsp
monthly
0.5
2023-12-13
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Blog - Solio’s part in Kenya’s Rhinoceros Recovery - Make it stand out
Two young white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) siblings forage together with their family. White rhinos are distinguished by their flat square lips, a feature that allows them to graze on savannah grasses. ©Alex Chege 2023
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Blog - Solio’s part in Kenya’s Rhinoceros Recovery - Make it stand out
Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are distinguishable for their prehensile, hooked lips that enable them to browse on the leaves of bushes and shrubs. Pictured in Solio Ranch Game Reserve, Kenya. ©Alex Chege 2023
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Blog - Solio’s part in Kenya’s Rhinoceros Recovery - Make it stand out
A keen white rhino calf stands vigilant intending to protect its mother as she grazes. ©Alex Chege 2023
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Blog - Solio’s part in Kenya’s Rhinoceros Recovery - Make it stand out
Dense herds of white rhinos are a common sight at Solio Ranch, making it one of the most important sanctuaries for African rhinos.
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/natures-foraging-specialistsnbsp
monthly
0.5
2023-10-30
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Blog - Nature’s foraging specialists - Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Blog - Nature’s foraging specialists - Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/intertidal-zonenbsp
monthly
0.5
2023-10-11
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Blog - Intertidal Zone - Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Blog - Intertidal Zone - Make it stand out
When the torrential waves crashing on the coral's surface subside, the gentle swish of the ebbing tide takes over and transforms the ephemeral intertidal zone into a vibrant habitat teeming with life. As the tide recedes, marine crab communities emerge and scatter across the reefs.
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Blog - Intertidal Zone - Make it stand out
A resident troop of vervets on the southern side of Kiwayu, Shimo, forages for crabs during the morning high tide. This southern group regularly searches for crabs in this productive and diverse area of the island.
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Blog - Intertidal Zone - Make it stand out
A cautious pleated rock crab (Pachygrapsus plicatus) cowers in a burrow. Though vervet monkeys do not seem to target this prey species, it one of the crab species found within Kiwayu’s intertidal community.
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/lamu-a-fishing-paradise
monthly
0.5
2023-10-11
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Blog - Lamu: A fishing paradise - Make it stand out
Panoramic views of extensive eastern mangrove forests stretch across from Kiwayu, a barrier island, to the mainland of Lamu. © Alex J Chege
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Blog - Lamu: A fishing paradise - Make it stand out
My friend Yunus uses a dhow, a traditional Swahili sailing boat, as a workbench while he demonstrates how to descale a parrotfish when there are no tools around. © Alex J Chege
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Blog - Lamu: A fishing paradise - The African vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus)
© Alex J Chege
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Blog - Lamu: A fishing paradise - A female vervet monkey ventures from the mangroves on to exposed coral during low tide to feast on a Horned Ghost Crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus) , Lamu 2022
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Blog - Lamu: A fishing paradise - Make it stand out
Kizningitini lobster trappers, Lamu 2022.
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/the-origin-of-fishing-behaviour-a-history-of-primate-aquatic-traditions
monthly
0.5
2022-06-20
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Blog - The origin of fishing behaviour: A history of primate aquatic traditions - Make it stand out
A Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata) warms up in hot springs at Jigokudani, Japan. Photo courtesy of wildlife photographer ©Moana Ghiandoni.
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Blog - The origin of fishing behaviour: A history of primate aquatic traditions - Make it stand out
A lone vervet monkey pauses while moving across the beach in Kiwayu Island, Kenya. © 2020 Alex J. Chege
https://www.alexjchege.com/blog/how-we-became-fishermen-an-exploration-of-the-evidence-so-far
monthly
0.5
2022-03-20
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Blog - How we became fishermen: An exploration of the evidence so far. - Pictured |Dhow sailing in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya.
Dhow sailing in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya
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Blog - How we became fishermen: An exploration of the evidence so far. - Make it stand out
Sunset illuminates the shores of Kiwayu island, Kenya.
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Blog - How we became fishermen: An exploration of the evidence so far. - Make it stand out
The common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is often found in shallow inter-tidal waters. This, among other marine invertebrates and fish are nutritional staples for the coastal communities of Eastern Africa.
https://www.alexjchege.com/bio
daily
1.0
2024-02-28
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Bio
Alex Chege on Kiwayu Island in Lamu, Kenya, during a pilot study (November 2020).
https://www.alexjchege.com/contact
daily
0.75
2025-04-29
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Contact - Get in touch
Email: alex.chege[@]stonybrook[dot]edu alex.chege96[@]gmail[dot]com
https://www.alexjchege.com/pagecv
daily
0.75
2026-01-11
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CV - Make it stand out
The ancient city of Calakmul, Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico 2019 © Alex J. Chege
https://www.alexjchege.com/research
daily
0.75
2026-03-19
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Research - .
Coastal adaptations and the role of marine resource use by nonhuman primates and early Homo sapiens. Humans have navigated movement around deserts, between islands, and along continents exploring and thriving across nearly every landmass on the planet. Coastlines link these areas and in many scenarios represent a much-needed habitable environment where food from marine sources can become viable alternatives to that found on land. In human evolution, this hypothesis of coastal adaptation suggests that the dietary shift to marine food resources enabled both early hominins and humans (Homo sapiens) to live on coastlines adjacent to unproductive terrestrial environments. But the extent to which coastal adaptations have allowed hominids to thrive in these environments is yet to be explored in nonhuman primates. Using non-invasive field observations of crab-foraging vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) off the coasts of the Lamu archipelago, in Kenya, my Ph.D. research explores how dietary and behavioral adaptations allow primates to thrive in coastal environments despite enduring numerous and novel challenges.
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Research
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Research
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Research
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography
daily
0.75
2025-04-29
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/project-five-bhf3p
monthly
0.5
2022-01-27
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Photography - Lamu
Two brothers, Maulidi celebrations on Kiwayu island
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Photography - Lamu
Brotherhood, Maulidi celebrations on Kiwayu island
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
East side, Kiwayu island
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Photography - Lamu
Pweza I
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Photography - Lamu
Pweza II
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Photography - Lamu
Pweza III
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
Number one contender for fastest rider on Kiwayu island
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Photography - Lamu
Long beach, Kiwayu island
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Photography - Lamu
Crew, annual dhow race Lamu archipelago
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
Free-diver
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
Tuna season, Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
Circa 15th century, Lamu
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Photography - Lamu
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/samburu
monthly
0.5
2021-12-02
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
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Photography - Samburu
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/portraits
monthly
0.5
2022-02-22
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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Photography - Portraits
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monthly
0.5
2022-01-28
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
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Photography - Mexico
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/nature-cxg7e
monthly
0.5
2021-11-29
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Photography - Calakmul
Structure 2, Calakmul © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
The Mayan city of Calakmul from above Structure 5 © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
Nature reclaims the structures of the ancient city of Calakmul © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A close up of a Yellow-olive flycatcher (Tolmomyias sulphurescens) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A Yellow-faced grassquit (Tiaris olivaceus) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A male buff-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A male buff-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
Opwall ornithologists marking a Lesson's motmot (Momotus lessonii) in case of recapture © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A female Brown Anole lizard (Anolis sagrei) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A male Rainbow Ameiva (Holcosus undulatus) captured at Hormiguero campsite, Calakmul © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
Mexican Parrot Snake (Leptophis mexicanus) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A Central American Indigo Snake (Drymarchon melanurus) captured, measured and released during our last herpetological survey at KM20 campsite, Calakmul © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A close-up photograph of an aguada
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Photography - Calakmul
A still aguada, these bodies of water are interspersed around the Calakmul Biosphere, many species depend on these enlarged ponds to thrive in this habitat.
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Photography - Calakmul
Following a tropical storm, we spotted a mating pair of Yucatán Casque-headed Tree Frogs (Triprion petasatus) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
Night surveys were exctiing opportunities to spot nocturnal creatures on this one we spotted a Tailless whip scorpion (Amblypygi) © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
A female Golden silk orb-weaver (Trichonephila clavipes), she was surrounded by three smaller-sized satellite males off camera. © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
Crossing paths with a playful troop of Central American Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) on a KM20 transect ©Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
The Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia) and the sub-family this species belongs to, the Leafwing butterflies, are morphologically diverse group often found in Calakmul. © Alex Chege
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Photography - Calakmul
The Mexican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) is a prolific seed disperser in Central America. Bats are a mega-diverse mammalian group performing many ecological roles. This is one example of a misunderstood and often antagonised animal.
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/places
monthly
0.5
2021-11-29
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Photography - Mauritius
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Photography - Mauritius
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Photography - Mauritius
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Photography - Mauritius
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Photography - Mauritius
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Photography - Mauritius
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monthly
0.5
2022-01-28
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Photography - Arizona
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Photography - Arizona
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Photography - Arizona
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Photography - Arizona
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Photography - Arizona
https://www.alexjchege.com/photography/intertidal-zone
monthly
0.5
2024-04-27
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A brown land crab (Cardisoma carnifex) found strolling along on the coral as the tide receded. I only ever saw one of these eye-catching beauties despite their widespread distribution across the seashores of Eastern Africa and the Indo-Pacific.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Subverting even my own expectations of the forms of life I would see in the intertidal zone was this East-African Snake-eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus africanus). We often saw many of these skulking in the cracks of coral rock surfaces. The skink's bright blue tail is used as a defense mechanism to distract predators. This species is yet to be studied in greater detail.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A cautious pleated rock crab (Pachygrapsus plicatus) cowers in a burrow, it’s amazing to see hundreds of crabs out on the coral before they retreat as humans draw closer.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Shells and their residents latch on during low tide exposure.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
My friend Yunus, last featured two years ago in my first Lamu photo series, uses a dhow as a workbench while giving a twilight demonstration of how to descale a parrotfish when you find yourself in a situation with no tools around.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Kizingitini lobster trappers engaged in conversation as they make their way back from Shimo la Tewa, the southernmost tip of Kiwayu’s barriers islands. Kiwayu’s diverse marine life draws fishermen from many of the surrounding islands and settlements including Ndau, Kizingitini, and Faza.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The symbol of Lamu, a star above a crescent moon, represents Lamu's heritage showing both the maritime and Islamic histories of the Swahili archipelago. Also known as the Eye of the Dhow, this symbol originated as a representation of protection and navigation for sailors of the Indian Ocean since the moon and stars were used to guide voyages by sea. This ornament continues to be adorned on dhows (sailing boats) with the three colours being a unique characteristic of this symbol of identity.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The use of plastic fishing nets is slowly being phased out in Lamu. Thanks to the efforts of many conservation initiatives in the region, these communities will contribute less to plastic pollution.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Kiwayu fishermen sorting and loading their fishing nets for the next day's work.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The surf at Shimo La Tewa. This area is entirely exposed to the monsoonal waves of the Western Indian Ocean making it a refuge for intertidal marine life. Fishermen and one resident troop of vervets, Shimo, that makes use of the surf to locate marine foods.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
It is too dangerous for fishermen to go out to sea during the monsoon season, many fishermen therefore brave the shallow intertidal in search of a catch. The upwelling surf brings numerous deep-sea fish close to Kiwayu’s waters, fishermen (pictured) discuss how to navigate the coral by foot to exploit this intertidal period.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A good strategy leads to a successful catch at the fishermen (previously pictured) organize their morning's effort.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The best thing about doing field research on an island is that you frequently encounter fishermen while out searching for and observing the vervet monkeys. This was one of many instances where we went home with a bundle of fish bought from fishermen active on the intertidal coral.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Afternoon activities. Kiwayu fishermen sort their nets during the late hours of the day.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Because of its separation from the mainland, Kiwayu is one of few places on Kenya's east-facing coastline where one can watch the sun rise and set above the ocean.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
My first shark encounter in Lamu was an early morning longline catch of Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) on the beach at Shimo La Tewa. These are some of the largest carnivores caught by maritime fishermen. Blacktip reef sharks are viviparous meaning that their offspring develop as embryos inside pregnant females that give birth to litters of up to 5 offspring. One of many shark species found in and around Lamu.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A pink ghost crab (Ocypode rhyderi) stares down the lens as it takes shelter during the low tide.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Peaceful early mornings as a sailor punts his boat along Kiwayu’s shores during the high tide.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Conflict with passing humans and dogs makes vervets very fearful of encroaching humans. Vervets do recognize people making them easier to observe and get closer to while studying their natural behaviour.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) feeds on mangrove flowers during low tide (not pictured), the rainy season brings a multitude of food items for vervets (and humans) to choose from.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Young vervet monkeys are ever curious and unlike the adults venture closer to us researchers, perhaps wondering what we're up to, but more importantly, if we brought some food.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
One of the most fun and challenging aspects of my field work is making the transition between hiking in the forest, or along the beach, to walking on coral, and sometimes wading in rising tide water with my binoculars and notebook raised above my head.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The resident troop of vervets on the southern side of Kiwayu, Shimo, forages for crabs during the morning high tide. This southern group regularly searches for crabs in this productive and diverse area of the island.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Lamu fishermen take shelter underneath a coral overhang during a light morning shower. Scenes like this are awfully common during the monsoon season when the weather and the ocean waves begin to stir.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Still rocking of boats docking on Kiwayu's shores.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
Ndau fishermen make the high tide voyage from Kiwayu to Kizingitini across one of the greater channels in the Lamu archipelago.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
The long and beautiful beach that stretches across the eastern side of Kiwayu island. If you look closely you can see numerous pink ghost crabs peppering the edges of ocean tide.
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Photography - Intertidal Zone
A colony of pink ghost crabs (Ocypode rhyderi) forage on red snapper washed up on Kiwayu's shores.
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