Youssef Ibrahim, the lens enthusiast
AlEtihad (nprofile…yefn)
In the shadow of urban expansion and the decline of natural spaces, the conservation of the environment and the documentation of its biodiversity have become a matter of great importance. This is what photographer Yusuf Ibrahim has sought to achieve, discovering the details of natural life in the UAE, which varies between marine, terrestrial, and desert environments. The birds, plants, and animals harmonize in a beautiful symphony, driving Yusuf to go beyond just taking pictures to documenting the behaviors of living creatures, the environmental challenges they face, and contributing to raising environmental awareness among community members.Yusuf Ibrahim's unique experience has combined art and science, making photography a powerful tool for protecting natural life and documenting this natural wealth for future generations. He says: "Our local environment is rich in diversity and beauty, extending from Al Ain in the west to Fujairah in the east, and is home to many diverse birds, animals, and plants in their various forms and colors, making it a magnet for nature lovers."Yusuf Ibrahim notes that the UAE is home to a large number of local bird species, including the "Nahham" bird, which can be seen in large numbers in wetlands and lakes. However, he points out that the past few years have seen an increase in the variety of birds, which he attributes to the increase in rainfall and improved vegetation, saying: "I have personally observed this increase over the past two years, due to the improvement in climatic conditions, which has played a significant role in attracting more bird species to our local environment."Behavioral habitsYusuf Ibrahim uses his camera as a tool to understand bird behavior, saying: "Through daily and continuous monitoring, I have been able to document how birds adapt to their environments and choose suitable nesting sites based on what I have learned from them, but few birds can adapt to new environments if they lose their original habitat."Despite the diversity of the environment, local birds face multiple environmental challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and plastic pollution, which are considered major challenges. For example, the destruction of wetlands and vegetation affects bird habitats, while plastic pollution causes serious health problems. Unfortunately, many birds have been found with plastic waste inside them.Best times and seasons for photographyYusuf Ibrahim notes that local birds can be photographed throughout the year, while migratory birds are more visible during the migration season between October and March. However, he acknowledges that some birds represent a special challenge for photographers, such as the "Raffraf" bird, which is known for its speed and difficulty in accessing its nesting sites, saying: "Despite this, I was able to photograph the common Raffraf and aim to document other species, such as the ringed Raffraf found in the Qurm Reserve in Kalba."Scientific researchYusuf Ibrahim believes that photography can play a major role in supporting scientific research by documenting bird behavior in their natural habitats, providing accurate data for researchers, such as mating times, migration patterns, and feeding habits. This data contributes to a deeper understanding of natural life, and he is willing to cooperate with local environmental organizations, saying: "I spend a long time monitoring bird behavior, which allows me to capture close and unique images that others may find difficult to obtain, and these images can contribute to supporting environmental projects and their requirements."The power of the imagePhotographer Yusuf Ibrahim says: "The image has great power in conveying messages and raising awareness, and through my photography, I strive to highlight the beauty of birds and the magic of nature, and encourage the community to protect and preserve natural life."Yusuf Ibrahim aims to become the first photographer in his field, develop his skills, and contribute to environmental protection through cooperation with environmental organizations, and establish exhibitions that raise awareness about the importance of natural life. He believes that urban expansion affects natural life due to the destruction of vegetation, emphasizing the need to expand the establishment of natural reserves, which will attract migratory birds and provide safe habitats for them. He also calls on the community to contribute to the protection of local birds by preserving the natural environment, reducing plastic use, and increasing the cultivation of local trees, and he praises the UAE's efforts in establishing natural reserves that have helped attract migratory birds and rare species and provided a haven for them.
https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7/4541325/%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81-%D8%A5%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%85---%D8%B4%D8%BA%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%A9
In the shadow of urban expansion and the decline of natural spaces, the conservation of the environment and the documentation of its biodiversity have become a matter of great importance. This is what photographer Yusuf Ibrahim has sought to achieve, discovering the details of natural life in the UAE, which varies between marine, terrestrial, and desert environments. The birds, plants, and animals harmonize in a beautiful symphony, driving Yusuf to go beyond just taking pictures to documenting the behaviors of living creatures, the environmental challenges they face, and contributing to raising environmental awareness among community members.Yusuf Ibrahim's unique experience has combined art and science, making photography a powerful tool for protecting natural life and documenting this natural wealth for future generations. He says: "Our local environment is rich in diversity and beauty, extending from Al Ain in the west to Fujairah in the east, and is home to many diverse birds, animals, and plants in their various forms and colors, making it a magnet for nature lovers."Yusuf Ibrahim notes that the UAE is home to a large number of local bird species, including the "Nahham" bird, which can be seen in large numbers in wetlands and lakes. However, he points out that the past few years have seen an increase in the variety of birds, which he attributes to the increase in rainfall and improved vegetation, saying: "I have personally observed this increase over the past two years, due to the improvement in climatic conditions, which has played a significant role in attracting more bird species to our local environment."Behavioral habitsYusuf Ibrahim uses his camera as a tool to understand bird behavior, saying: "Through daily and continuous monitoring, I have been able to document how birds adapt to their environments and choose suitable nesting sites based on what I have learned from them, but few birds can adapt to new environments if they lose their original habitat."Despite the diversity of the environment, local birds face multiple environmental challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and plastic pollution, which are considered major challenges. For example, the destruction of wetlands and vegetation affects bird habitats, while plastic pollution causes serious health problems. Unfortunately, many birds have been found with plastic waste inside them.Best times and seasons for photographyYusuf Ibrahim notes that local birds can be photographed throughout the year, while migratory birds are more visible during the migration season between October and March. However, he acknowledges that some birds represent a special challenge for photographers, such as the "Raffraf" bird, which is known for its speed and difficulty in accessing its nesting sites, saying: "Despite this, I was able to photograph the common Raffraf and aim to document other species, such as the ringed Raffraf found in the Qurm Reserve in Kalba."Scientific researchYusuf Ibrahim believes that photography can play a major role in supporting scientific research by documenting bird behavior in their natural habitats, providing accurate data for researchers, such as mating times, migration patterns, and feeding habits. This data contributes to a deeper understanding of natural life, and he is willing to cooperate with local environmental organizations, saying: "I spend a long time monitoring bird behavior, which allows me to capture close and unique images that others may find difficult to obtain, and these images can contribute to supporting environmental projects and their requirements."The power of the imagePhotographer Yusuf Ibrahim says: "The image has great power in conveying messages and raising awareness, and through my photography, I strive to highlight the beauty of birds and the magic of nature, and encourage the community to protect and preserve natural life."Yusuf Ibrahim aims to become the first photographer in his field, develop his skills, and contribute to environmental protection through cooperation with environmental organizations, and establish exhibitions that raise awareness about the importance of natural life. He believes that urban expansion affects natural life due to the destruction of vegetation, emphasizing the need to expand the establishment of natural reserves, which will attract migratory birds and provide safe habitats for them. He also calls on the community to contribute to the protection of local birds by preserving the natural environment, reducing plastic use, and increasing the cultivation of local trees, and he praises the UAE's efforts in establishing natural reserves that have helped attract migratory birds and rare species and provided a haven for them.
https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7/4541325/%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%81-%D8%A5%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%85---%D8%B4%D8%BA%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%A9