I enjoy sharing some of the human stories behind my work and my efforts to illustrate traditional ecological knowledge. My photography focuses on bio-cultural topics.

The image above supports a story of indigenous science. Often the Kichwa men prefer to use a local tree known as “canela.” This group of trees (Ocotea spp.) take up a high amount of silica from the soil. That’s the stuff of glass. In turn, the canoes are much more resistant to rotting. That’s value added in an environment that receives upwards of 250 inches of rain a year! Traditional canoe carving using indigenous tools and methods literally takes a village and the process from tree selection, shamanic ceremony, carving, sealing with palm fire and dragging to the river launch can last a month.