The year that wasn't

As a photographer, I need to have freedom to roam. I photograph wildlife - a world that has not understood the meaning of quarantine. The creatures of this earth do not know that they need to distance themselves to prevent the catastrophic pandemic that has pretty much caused the human world to shut down.

However, with the absence of human intervention as we hunkered down waiting for that pandemic to end, we became witnesses from behind glass curtains to wildlife like we’ve never seen before. Endangered species reproducing. Aquatic creatures roaming empty canals. Flamingos flourishing where they were once absent.

In early 2020, we watched all this happen, both to our delight and dismay. Those who cherish wildlife and wish they had more range to roam were delighted. But of course, the lack of humans also meant wildlife encroached areas that would normally be reserved for human habitat.

But, as the pandemic waned on, people were everywhere outside because being inside became unacceptable. You couldn’t go anywhere without running into someone. This was human wildlife run amuck and I was not at all amused. The wildlife I wanted to photograph was nowhere to be found, simply because humans trampled into their space. On another note, the changing of the guard in the US also resulted in rules to engage were reversed with the hopes that we aren't too late to save the planet. The XL pipeline has been halted, making it easier for wildlife to make a come back.

But in the end, are we helping ourselves become a better race or will we continue on that path of self destruction, dragging the wildlife that didn’t ask for this kicking and screaming to a horrible end. Maybe COVID has taught us valuable lessons. I certainly hope so.