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.
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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.
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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.
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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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