Cloaked In Stripes

2025

My new primate series simply had to include a ring-tailed lemur or two – they are so iconic, and instantly recognisable.

When I plan a new photograph, I always begin with the key characteristics of the species in question – when a person thinks of the ring-tailed lemur, they instantly think of their stripy tails and large, emotional eyes. The eyes and the tail would therefore be the focal point of the photograph I was trying to create.

Their striking tails act as a vital tool to help them balance whilst moving through the heights of the Madagascan jungle, as a communication tool when operating in a troop of up to thirty individuals, and as a bit of a safety blanket when they need to keep warm, or rest.

I got low and waited for moment – I do this often in the field, because I like to shoot from a low angle; it is not comfortable, and often it can be a long job… but not when lemurs are involved. They are constantly up to something, it was an entertaining morning.

I love the emotion and the sense fragility in this photograph.