Dr. Bugs: Ecologist, Explorer, Photojournalist
June 21, 2010 8:34 PM   Subscribe

Mark "Dr. Bugs" Moffett is a Harvard educated entomologist, author and ecologist. He's also one hell of a nature photographer, mainly studying Frogs and Ants (slideshow with audio). Galleries from Frank Pictures, The Smithsonian, and a slideshow and recent interview from NPR's Fresh Air.
posted by Ufez Jones (10 comments total) 7 users marked this as a favorite
 
That's nothing. (well, actually, it's something, and it's something awesome) - but, check out Alex Wild, an exceptional entomologist, evolutionary biologist, and taxonomist and photographer at his blog Myrmecos
posted by redbeard at 8:53 PM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]


Yeah, well, your favorite entomological photographer sucks, redbeard!

(but really, Wild's blog is pretty cool in its own right. Thanks for linking it)
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:09 PM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]


Listen to the end of the interview to hear about his encounter with the botfly (oh god the mental images).
posted by QuarterlyProphet at 9:58 PM on June 21, 2010


QuarterlyProphet, I was similarly affected by that anecdote—to the point where I will now select travel destinations mainly based on how likely a botfly infestation is.

Great interview otherwise, though! Thanks for this post, because I did want to look up his photos.
posted by theredpen at 2:45 AM on June 22, 2010


Scroll to the bottom of the first link and note the tiny red bug crawling across his logo.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:47 AM on June 22, 2010


Scroll to the bottom of the first link and note the tiny red bug crawling across his logo.

Read the story linked above it about Joseph Slowinski.
posted by pracowity at 6:34 AM on June 22, 2010


Read the story linked above it about Joseph Slowinski.

I love the jungle, but damn.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:36 AM on June 22, 2010


QuarterlyProphet Not only his encounter with the botfly, but the fact that he stopped to chat view some slides while holding the newly hatched larvae in his hand. Eesh.
posted by Constant Reader at 7:56 AM on June 22, 2010


The botfly anecdote was nothing compared to Guinea Worms. Jimmy Carter's Foundation has done a bunch of work reaching out to remote African villages to teach people how to prevent contraction of these parasites.

I heard an interview with President Carter a month or so ago about Guinea Worms. I've got a pretty strong stomach, but just hearing descriptions made me feel faint and queasy. It's truly horrifying.

Here's the Wikipedia entry. If you want to explore more, you're on your damn own.

*shudder*
posted by Ufez Jones at 8:29 AM on June 22, 2010




« Older Happy 40th Glastonbury   |   Concealed Neuroanatomy in Michelangelo's... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments