Aldabra giant tortoises leave the cool temperature of the atoll’s only known shade cave. Only when the hottest part of the day is over do they resume grazing out in the open on the flats. Shot on assignment for National Geographic. Timelapse by my assistant and videographer Otto Whitehead.

They come like a thief in the night and eat everything. They will steal your cameras, shoes, or water bottles. When they scrape across the corrugated roof, it sounds like nails on a chalkboard. Coconut crabs, also called robber crabs are the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world.

Over 100,000 Giant tortoises roam Aldabra atoll and I doubt there is another place on earth where reptiles reign so supreme. I followed this tortoise for hours as she patrolled the beach looking for tasty morsels washed up by waves and tides.

After more than 20 years of photographing some of the world’s wildest and most remote islands, Aldabra atoll in the western Indian Ocean continues to stand out as one of my favorite places on earth. Seychelles. What is the most remote island you have visited?

Just getting started on Bluesky and looking forwarding to engaging with everyone on all things oceans, conservation, photography and storytelling.