Wild Rivers: A Photographic Odyssey in Thailand is the third in a series of wildlife books - the first two were Wildlife in the Kingdom of Thailand and Thailand's Natural Heritage - by L Bruce Kekule, respected wildlife photographer and long-time resident of Thailand. His books follow a pattern: First an English-language edition, followed later by a Thai language one.
Wild Rivers : Author and photographer: L Bruce Kekule 320 pages ISBN—978-616-91021-1-3 2nd Edition 2011, WKT Publishing Co Ltd Thai and 2nd English editions only available through bruce@brucekekule.com 1st English edition available at Asia Books. 1,800 baht
Wild Rivers was published in 2008, as a dedication to His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of the 7th cycle of his birthday, and the Thai edition recently came out at the same time as the second edition of the English version, with the aim of sharing the beauty of the country's natural heritage and its wildlife with the Thai public.
The book covers six of Thailand's major waterways: Phetchaburi River, Khlong Saeng River (a new addition to the first edition), Huai Kha Khaeng, Mae Klong River, Khwae Noi River and Mae Ping River.
The introduction describes the geographical locations of each river, emphasizing as always the importance of preserving these watersheds and the habitat for resident wildlife.
Each river is illustrated with photographs that he has collected from his forays into the wild over the past 12 years, allowing readers to admire the country's wild animals in their natural habitat.
The book also includes a chapter on Thailand's nature photographers where 11 Thai and foreign photographers share some of their most cherished images.
In the "Wildlife Photography" chapter, Kekule shares tips and personal experiences gained from his decades in the field, his choice of equipment, the need for patience, the art of stealth, camera techniques, and even computer skills. He also mentions the hazards and dangers of being in the field, not only threats from large animals but also from the tiniest of creatures like ticks and ants.
He ends with a plea for nature conservation in "Wildlife in Peril" to create awareness among readers to the diminishing numbers of animals in the wild due to human ignorance or greed.
Readers can be sure of a visually pleasing read: Wild Rivers received a gold medal for the "Best in Sheetfed Offset" and another gold award for "Best 4-colour Printing" at the Thai Printing Association's 4th Thai Print Awards in 2008.
The Thai version titled Sai Natee Haeng Pong Prai was translated by Capt Araya Amrapala, PhD.
