10 interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest that you should know

The Amazon rainforest is a true natural wonder of the world with breathtaking beauty and mesmerizing environment. Spanning a total of 9 countries, the rainforest can easily be counted among one of the best locations for tour and travel (especially for adventure and thrill seekers). It is home to an incredible variety of plants and animals. Some of the interesting facts about the Amazon rainforest are:

1. Located in South America, Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world covering five and a half a million square kilometers. 
2. Amazon is spread across the Amazon basin spanning various countries such as Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Bolivia, Suriname and French Guiana.
3. Francisco de Orellana, the first European to travel the length of the Amazon River, had to encounter with various South American tribes and went to war against them. Witnessing even the tribeswomen fighting alongside the men, Orellana called them Amazons in reference to the fierce female warriors of Greek mythology. 
4. In fact, the forest is so dense with the forest canopy that very little sunlight actually makes it through to the ground. As a result, the ground level in many parts is completely black. 
5. The Amazon forest is the source of a variety of food that nourishes the human population of several countries. Some of the important food products include bananas, black pepper, chocolate, coffee, corn, pineapple, rice and tomatoes.
6. The forest is home to a tremendous variety of natural flora and fauna, many unique to the rain forest. Some estimates include 205 bird species, 40000 plant species and about 2.5 million insect species. 
7. Many of the medicinal plants used in treatment can be found in the Amazon rainforests, with not even maybe 1% of all the plants tested for medicinal values. Tremendous scope for traditional vaccines is present in these majestic forests. 
8. The main source of life and the driving engine of the rainforest is the great Amazon River which mainly runs through the north of the rainforest. 
9. Because of the huge forest cover, Amazon is able to trap a lot of carbon dioxide off the air and releasing oxygen in the process. With an estimated 20% of the the world’s oxygen produced in Amazon, it is also known as ‘the ‘lungs of the earth’. 
10. With proper preparation and caution, it can be a feast for the adventure seekers as a tourist destination. A whole range of activities can be enjoyed in the rainforest such as hiking, swimming, wildlife photography and lots more.

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Wildlife photography: simple facts that you should know about

Introduction

Wildlife photography is a science in its own right. It helps to bolster creative imagination as the confidence and camera skills improve. It can be pursued both as a career and as a hobby and if both the criteria converge, then it can be non-stop fun and a deeply satisfying experience. If a person seriously wants to enter the world of wildlife photography, the obvious two qualities he must possess are: 1.He must enjoy creating photographs 2. He must love watching wildlife. There can be nothing as rewarding as wildlife photography if it genuinely appeals to and sparks your interest. And if that interest is developed in childhood or early teens, it makes the tedious path and the exploration much more memorable.

The playground

The typical working placing involving wildlife photography is the outdoors. Generally, digital SLR cameras and various lenses are used to take those picture-perfect moments. For the tiny organisms, macro lenses are preferred that allow for magnification and close focusing.  These are then edited and improved upon in the computer using editing tools. The life of a wildlife photographer is generally adventurous with regular visits to far-flung remote places or sanctuaries a common feature as a part of the job.

Earning opportunity

Many of the wildlife photographers start out making pocket money freelancing, selling images or rights to use them. Some even sell them directly to reputed magazines, provided the work is up to the mark. Companies also direct buy quality pictures from them with the intention to sell the clicks to demanding customers who use them in various ways, such as on greeting cards and in advertisements. Some even open up own websites and directly sell to the interested visitors. Few are even hired by organizations to take photos at events such as outdoor camping, sanctuary visit and of the kind. However, some are seriously employed by big zoo organizations, environmental and animal activist groups or for the lucky few by the "National Geographic" itself.

How good are you?

How far you can go in wildlife photography is directly proportional to how good are you in this field. Wildlife photography demands a lot of skill in terms of a keen eye for sensing a perfect moment, thorough knowledge about the subject matter and to be in the right place in the right time. Small details like from which side does a picture looks more aesthetically pleasing should be taken note off. Another important virtue required for the trade is patient: surely you don,t expect your subject animals to pose for you. Do you? So, the key is: sense the opportunity and take the snap. ASAP!!!

Take care and be alert

Wildlife photography can be a dangerous affair too with all the traveling and remote locations. Hence, a proper knowledge about the proposed site of visit as well as the professional help of a guide is duly advisable. Even better, if the guide specializes in your subject matter. You can use all the help you get. Right? Maintain a respectable distance in case of dangerous animals and use large telephoto lenses if necessary. Bottom-line stay safe and be alert.

Train and attain perfection

Not everyone learns wildlife photography at college. Interestingly, so is the case with many wildlife photographers. The initial photography skill comes from self experimentation and interest about the subject material. Later on as they move up the ladder in this line, they acquire many of the job and subject specific skills required to be an expert. Practice, practice and more practice till your skills are sharp enough to let you sail through the proverbial storm.

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