Together, they explore Jason's remarkable journey from a scientific career focused on glacier caves and aquifers to becoming a visual storyteller for National Geographic. Jason shares the pivotal moment a chance encounter with a manatee changed his perspective on photography and conservation, leading him to document not just the animals, but the complex environmental challenges they face. From the technical challenges of photographing in pitch-black caves to the patience required to capture intimate moments with wildlife, Jason reveals the dedication behind the images that inspire us to care about our planet.

In this episode, we discuss:

• ​From Science to Storytelling: How Jason transitioned from academic research to using photography as a tool for conservation and communication.
• ​Manatee Magic: The unexpected encounter that sparked a passion for documenting manatees and the different personalities within a herd.
• ​The Florida Springs Crisis: Understanding the environmental threats facing manatees, including pollution and habitat loss, and the importance of looking at the bigger picture.
• ​Technical Challenges: The realities of underwater photography, from dealing with buoyancy in rebreathers to using specialized optics to overcome low visibility.
• ​The Art of Patience: Why the best wildlife photos often come from spending hours simply observing and waiting for the right moment, rather than chasing the shot.
• ​Global Manatee Perspectives: A look at the different manatee species around the world, from the Amazon to West Africa, and the unique challenges they each face.
• ​Advanced camera equipment, housings, lenses, optics and brand recommendations.

About the Guest: Dr. Jason Gulley is a hydrogeologist who specializes in water, glaciers and climate change research.

He is also a science and expedition photographer with experience in several continents, some of his remarkable work has been conducted in Alaska, Greenland, Nepal and Africa.

He is a cave and CCR diver.

Connect with Dr. Jason Gulley:

• ​Website: https://jasongulley.smugmug.com/
• ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason_gulley_science?igsh=b292M2FlMmxtZ3h0
• ​LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-gulley-aa507b214?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• ​Latest work: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/florida-rodman-reservoir-ocklawaha-river-springs?loggedin=true&rnd=1768324477494&fbclid=IwdGRleAPvhtxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeF5pc5sG1ykqiQh2E8JHjRLwht9915LYmhXUKDp6ExA2A-rlAiKWK6V2CvWs_aem_r2CdJtyDsr4qMJDNffMQpA

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