Tuesday Rostrum meets birder Josh
There are 10 000 birds in the world but Josh decided to concentrate on just 1 000 and wanted to study and photograph them.
Josh Crickmay is a very articulate young man who spoke rapidly and non-stop, without notes, to keep the Tuesday Rostrum audience totally rapt.
He gave a detailed overview of Aspergers (high-functioning autism), which he was finally diagnosed with after dropping out of high school confused and overwhelmed.
ALSO READ : It’s all about birds for Tuesday Rostrum guest speaker
He explained that people with autism have to find a different way of processing conversations and ‘getting from A to B’ mentally and emotionally.
People with Aspergers are extremely focused and competent when doing something they are passionate about. Josh’s passion was wildlife and photography.
His parents Andrew and Kathy set aside their business – and life in general, to embark on ‘Josh’s Big Year’ – A birder’s ‘Big Year’ is to record as many birds as possible in a calendar year.
Using many magnificent photographs of birds, reptiles and mammals, he wittily related the family’s travels through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Ecuador to find and photograph his 1 000 birds.
He expressed sincere thanks to his parents and feels that having lived through puberty with Aspergers, he is now in a position to help others in the same situation.
Josh concluded with a short excerpt from a wildlife documentary he is in the process of making and says he will continue following his passion, particularly with regard to conservation.
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