P H OTO STO R Y
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ccording to the stereotype, wildlife photographers spend their working life in exotic habitats, stoically waiting for a glimpse of an elusive species. Leon Baas, however, trains his lens on a very different world. It’s one with a seemingly infinite array of subjects that’s uniquely accessible but unseen by the majority of people. “There are more than 900,000 known species of insect in the world,” says Leon. “There are more insects and bugs in a square mile of rural land than there are human beings on the entire planet. It’s a hidden world that most people are oblivious to, but it’s there for anyone to discover.” To start to explore the world of the invertebrate you need to take a different approach to watching wildlife, says entomologist Richard Jones. “You have to look down, part the grass, start to focus on a small patch of tree bark or concentrate on just a single square metre,” says Richard. “The world of the insect is ruthless and the threat of being eaten is round every corner, so they spend most of their time well hidden. That means that you need to look carefully. But no matter where you are, invertebrates are incredibly accessible. Your garden is the obvious place to start – just turn over a log or look in the compost – but my favourite areas are urban brownfield sites, where derelict walls, rusting cars and chalk pits all become rich ecosystems. Get down on your knees for a fingertip search to discover a very real safari full of predators, recyclers and parasites.” And you don’t require expensive equipment. “A simple hand lens is all you need to see the body structure and unique adaptations on each species,” says Richard. It can easily turn into an obsession. “I got interested in insects as a child and I’m still learning,” says Leon. “It’s a magical world full of incredible creatures, high drama and fascinating behaviour that you might be the first to discover. It’s what compels me to keep exploring.”
PHOTOS BY LEON BAAS Leon creates his own lenses and uses an innovative approach to flash. “I try to enlarge the drama of the scene,” he says. “A bee on a flower demands sweet colours and fine detail, while a praying mantis requires the drama and atmosphere you get with low lighting.” www.bb-fotografie.nl
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BBC Wildlife
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