We traveled to Madagascar for three weeks in late September and early October 2022.

Madagascar is located off the east coast of Africa and is the world’s fifth-largest island. It is almost the size of Texas. The island is considered by some to be “The Eighth Continent” as it is home to about 5 percent of the world’s plant and animal species with approximately 80 percent of them being endemic (found only in Madagascar).

This was a trip that we had wanted to take for years, as we know that much of the unique wildlife found there is endangered, but we had delayed going there as we were very concerned about the impact that the population was having on the wildlife and natural landscapes.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The population is dependent on slash and burn agriculture which creates space for rice production and provides pastureland for the herds of zebu cattle that they rely on for meat and milk and for pulling carts and machinery. A majority of the people depend on subsistence farming for survival.

In May 2019 we decided it was finally time to go and we started planning the trip. We wanted to go in September or October as we knew that this was before the start of the rainy season, which is usually between November and April, and we had a good chance of seeing baby lemurs and chameleons in breeding colors.

We were booked and ready to go in September 2020 but had to reschedule the trip due to the pandemic. After a two-year COVID delay, we were finally able to go in 2022.

Madagascar has many national parks and protected areas spread across the country. We traveled to several different areas including the tropical dry forest in the north, the dry spiny forest of the south, and the rainforest in the east.

Madagascar is best known as the home of the lemurs, but each area is unique in its rich diversity of wildlife. We saw 23 species of mammals including 19 species of lemurs, 98 species of birds and many different species of geckos, chameleons and frogs.

Though the focus of the trip was on the nature and wildlife of Madagascar, we also found the people and culture to be very fascinating. We thought that this would be our only trip to Madagascar, but it was such an amazing trip that we are already thinking about returning to this special place in the future.

Please join us on Thursday, Feb. 23, for “Madagascar – Island of Lemurs and Other Extraordinary Creatures” as we take you on a journey to discover the incredible diversity of unique wildlife along with the fascinating people and culture this island has to offer.

About the presenters

We are wildlife and nature photographers. We have been photographing nature for more than 40 years together making trips to all seven continents in search of extraordinary wildlife.

Ken started taking wildlife photographs in high school and in college while majoring in wildlife biology. Mary joined Ken as a photographer after meeting at the University of New Hampshire and together we share a global passion for “fuzzy fixes.”

Images are taken with an eye on capturing wildlife in action or reflecting the natural beauty of the world around us. We have had photographs published in local and national magazines, brochures and calendars and provide photographic presentations to various community groups including local service organizations, senior groups, schools and conservation organizations.

We donate our images to non-profits for use in educational materials and to teach others about global biodiversity.

In 2022 and the next few years we are focusing on trips to pursue capturing photographs of iconic species that we have not previously seen in the wild. These species include lemurs, snow leopards, tigers, Komodo dragons and spirit bears.

About the series

Traveler’s Journal, a presentation of the Peninsula Trails Coalition, raises funds to buy project supplies and food for volunteers working on Olympic Discovery Trail projects. Shows start at 7 p.m. at the Dungeness River Nature Center, 1943 W. Hendrickson Road.

Admission is a suggested donation is $5 for adults. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to wear mask. For more information, email Arvo Johnson at amjcgj@gmail.com.

Photo by Ken and Mary Campbell / An elephant-eared chameleon is pictured in the Andasibe area in Madagascar.

Vendors offer their products at a street market in the Ankarana area in Madagascar.

Photo by Ken and Mary Campbell / A warty chameleon is pictured near the Vakona Lodge in Madagascar.

Photo by Ken and Mary Campbell / A Boophis frog is pictured in Taolagnaro, Madagascar.