Photographers shares experience in S. American wetlands

West Glacier photographer and author Tom J. Ulrich will give a presentation on a South American wetland system June 29.

His presentation, which starts at 7 p.m., takes place at the Montana House in Apgar Village, Glacier National Park. It is part of the Montana House and Glacier National Park Fund’s Look, Listen and Learn program.

The Pantanal is one of the planet's most spectacular wetland systems, located in the center of the South American continent, south of the Amazon basin and east of the Andes. It is an immense landlocked river delta where annual floodwaters regularly rise several meters and then recede. About 80 percent of these flood plains are submerged during the rainy seasons, nurturing an astonishing biologically diverse collection of aquatic plants and helping to support a dense array of animal species.

The name "Pantanal" comes from the Portuguese word pântano, meaning wetland, bog, swamp, quagmire or marsh.

The Pantanal is one of Ulrich’s favorite locations to visit. He has spent extended time there photographing the diverse fauna. His June 29 program will run a little more than an hour showing photos from his vast collection taken throughout the years.

Ulrich has been a freelance and award-winning photographer since 1975 and is highly acclaimed around the world for his nature photography skills, with many of his photographs appearing in numerous publications including National Wildlife, Audubon and National Geographic. He is also the author of seven nature books: “Mammals of the Northern Rockies,” “Birds of the Northern Rockies,” “Once Upon a Frame,” “Photo Pantanal,” “Mt. Reynolds: The Story,” “Mammals of the Canadian Rockies,” and “Birds of the Canadian Rockies.”

For many years Ulrich has led tours to remote parts of the world, such as Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and East Africa. He also conducts photography seminars and workshops around the country and lectures at numerous institutions.

A reception and book signing will follow Ulrich’s presentation.

Reservations are required. To reserve seats, call 888-5393 or email 1960mthouse@qwestoffice.net.