Marcel Huijser Photography Home
This is where I show the most recent images and talk about how they were made. The images typically relate to landscapes and wildlife, but I also blog about photos of highways and mitigation measures for wildlife or road ecology in general. Please contact me if you would like to use any of the images.
All content © Marcel Huijser
Road ecology blog: Capybara-vehicle collisions at stream crossing, Itirapina, Brazil
Image below: Stream culvert (northern stream crossing, Córrego do Geraldo) under two lane road, Itirapina Ecological Station, São Paulo, Brazil. Note that this is not a suitable crossing structure for large mammals. The stream is funneled into a narrow culvert resulting in consistent high water velocity and this is likely a barrier for many aquatic species. There is no semi-aquatic or terrestrial habitat inside the culvert and the culvert dimensions are too small for e.g. capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)). Also note that fencing is only installed above the retaining wall of the culvert. The fencing on the other side of the road is only a little longer; perhaps several dozens of meters.
Image below: Cross marking the location of a human fatality as a result of a collision with a capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), northern stream crossing, Itirapina Ecological Station, São Paulo, Brazil
Image below: Wildlife trail (probably mainly used by capybara) at fence end of northern stream crossing (east side road, south of culvert) leading to the two lane road, Itirapina Ecological Station, São Paulo, Brazil
When there is an opportunity to change this stream crossing and associated fencing, it should ideally include:
1. A larger structure that is wider than the stream. Ideally the structure is "bottomless" (e.g. a bridge) so that the stream characteristics inside the structure are similar to those upstream and downstream of the structure.
2. Allow for sufficient space in the structure to also provide semi-aquatic and terrestrial habitat.
3. Make the structure tall enough to allow for large mammals (e.g. capybara) to cross through the structure.
4. Extend the fencing at least a few hundred meters on both sides of the structure if capybara are the target species (capybara tend to stay close to streams). Habitat generalists such as the maned wolf may require additional structures away from streams and much longer road sections with wildlife fencing (at least several kilometers long) and associated safe crossing opportunities.
5. Design the fence (e.g. height) based on the requirements for the target species. The strength, the jumping, climbing, or digging abilities of the target species should form the basis for the design of an effective fence.
Developing good relations between transportation agencies and natural resource management agencies can help implement effective mitigation measures. When the time comes to replace the culvert with another structure, the new structure and associated measures (e.g. wildlife fencing) can be designed appropriately from the earliest planning phases onwards.
Click here for images of wildlife fencing.
Click here for images of multifunctional underpasses.
Click here for images of wildlife underpasses.
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All content © 2015 Marcel Huijser
Road ecology blog: Wildlife warning sign for maned wolf, Itirapina, São Paulo, Brazil
Road ecology blog: Wildlife warning sign for maned wolf, southern stream crossing (Córrego Água Branca), Itirapina Ecological Reserve, São Paulo, Brazil.
Click here for other images of other wildlife or livestock warning signs.
Click here for other images of animals that were killed by cars.
Click here for other images of animals alive on or near roads.
Some large format prints (limited edition) are now for sale at Freshwater Studio & Gallery in Missoula, Montana.
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Road ecology blog: Maned wolf tracks on dirt road, near Itirapina, São Paulo, Brazil
Road ecology blog: Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) tracks on dirt road in the Itirapina Ecological Research Station (Estação Ecológica de Itirapina), near Itirapina, São Paulo, Brazil.
Click here for other images of roads and highways.
Click here for more images of wildlife tracks, scat and hair.
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Road ecology blog: Bridge across stream, Itirapina Ecological Reserve, São Paulo, Brazil
Road ecology blog: Bridge across the southern stream crossing (Córrego Água Branca), Itirapina Ecological Reserve, São Paulo, Brazil.
Click here for images of multifunctional underpasses.
Click here for images of wildlife underpasses.
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Road ecology blog: The Everglades, near Shark Valley, Florida, USA
Road ecology blog: The Everglades, near Shark Valley, Florida, USA.
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Road ecology blog: Unmitigated section of the Tamiami Trail blocking sheet flow
Road ecology blog: Unmitigated section of the Tamiami Trail (US Hwy 41) blocking sheet flow from north to south in this section of the Everglades ecosystem, near Shark Valley, Florida, USA. The second images shows a series of culverts that concentrate water flow to the south side of the highway. Click here to see images of an elevated section of this highway; a 1 mile long bridge allowing water to flow freely under the highway.
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Florida wildlife: Squirrel tree frog (Hyla squirella), Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida wildlife: Squirrel tree frog (Hyla squirella), Big Cypress National Preserve.
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Road ecology blog: A long bridge elevating Tamiami Trail restoring sheet flow
Road ecology blog: A long bridge (1 mi, 1.6 km) elevating the Tamiami Trail (US Hwy 41) allowing for restoration of sheet flow in the Everglades, Florida, USA. Note that the canal and levee north of the highway have remained in place.
Click here to learn more about why this long bridge (about 1 mi long) is important to the Everglades ecosystem and how it fits in with plans for additional bridges (or "elevated roadway" or "skyway").
Click here to see other images of the bridge under construction.
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Florida birds: Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida birds: Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga), Big Cypress National Preserve.
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Florida birds: Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Big Cypress National Preserve
Florida birds: Wood stork (Mycteria americana), Big Cypress National Preserve.
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Montana landscapes: Logan Pass (in infrared), Glacier National Park
Montana landscapes: Logan Pass (in infrared), Glacier National Park.
Click here for other images of Rocky Mountain landscapes and vegetation.
Some large format prints (limited edition) are now for sale at Freshwater Studio & Gallery in Missoula, Montana.
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All content © 2015 Marcel Huijser
Image below: False color (Red and Blue channels switched).
Image below: Same image in black and white
Americana: Daniel McCue and his 1959 Ford Thunderbird
Americana: Daniel McCue and his 1959 Ford Thunderbird.
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Researchers at work: Matt Larson, Owl Research Institute, Missoula, Montana
Researchers at work: Matt Larson, Owl Research Institute, Missoula, Montana.
Click here for flammulated owl images.
Click here for images of flammulated owl research.
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Researchers at work: Adam Eckert climbs tree to inspect chicks of flammulated owl
Researchers at work: Adam Eckert climbs tree to inspect chicks of flammulated owl (Psiloscops flammeolus), Montana, USA.
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Click here for images of flammulated owl research.
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Montana birds: flammulated owl (Psiloscops flammeolus)
Montana birds: flammulated owl (Psiloscops flammeolus) with nest in tree cavity.
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Click here for images of flammulated owl research.
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