As a group of avid readers in the LRP team we are very happy to have recently expanded our book offering online and in the showroom. We knew you would be interested in finding out more about some of the wonderful authors and illustrators who have created the ones we've selected. All books have a Hong Kong theme whether it be written or illustrated by someone who lives here or is about the city, the stories and the history of the place so many of us call home. We are creating a series of Ask The Author blog posts where we ask the same three questions (with an added bonus one at the end!) to find out more about their connection to the city, what their book is all about, what inspires them and their favourite things to see and do in the 852.
About You
I left full time employment in 2018 and began a daily blog about what I could find and photograph in the wilds (or urban jungle) of Hong Kong; My main passion is/was taking great pictures, and I have continually tried to improve my photography chasing more int'l awards and publication. I have 3 booklets on HK wildlife; co-produced the Field Guide to Hong Kong snakes and most recently authored and published The Bugs of Hong Kong. I have also had multiple exhibitions and public/school talks, plus I work/have worked with most of the large/local NGOs like KFBG/WWF/Lung Fu Shan etc
I have lived in Hong Kong with my family for c. 30 years now, as a media executive, publisher and GM for newspapers, magazines, events and websites, most recently as regional director for The Economist and then Reuters.
Your Inspiration
I am not a biologist, scientist or entomologist, so when I went out to photograph wildlife I had to learn about the animals and bugs that I was seeing. As i learned about them, I wrote about them and then it seemed an obvious move to publish what I had learned. I was particularly inspired by the many wonderful books that I used to pore through as a kid, and later on as an adult; books about animals in the wild, with wonderful, exciting pictures that really moved me, or made me go "wow".
Favourite thing to do or see in Hong Kong
My fave thing? I love going out at night and walking slowly in the forests and jungles looking for wildlife. There is so much to see and do; the amazing bugs and snakes are probably my favourite things to "hunt", and there is always a thrill when we find something; and the wonderful thing in HK is that with the amazing biodiversity, and easy access to nature, its not so time consuming to get there, and you are never disappointed.
Top 3 Hong Kong bugs
- Lantern bug;
- Flower Praying mantis;
- Colourful caterpillars.
Rob publishes a wildlife blog which includes his stunning photography at WildCreatures Hong Kong.
