A photographer, with a fear of insects, has put together a remarkable series of pictures showing close-ups of rarely seen bugs.
Mofeed Abu Shalwa was terrified of creepy crawlies as a child, but after a career as a scientific researcher, the 40-year-old turned his hand to nature photography.
Now, he has won over 147 international awards and travels the world in search of hidden, micro wildlife.
READ MORE: Photographer who documented the plight of Sri Lankan elephants wins prestigious award
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Mofeed, from Saudi Arabia, has just returned from a 17-day trip to the Indonesian islands of Seram and Kalimantan.
And he said the incredible adventure will forever remain “etched” in his memory.
“I used to suffer from insect phobia,” he told What’s The Jam.
“Now, I am a prominent member of Buglife – the only organisation in Europe dedicated to the conservation of all invertebrates.
“[On my trip to Indonesia], after camping on the third and fourth nights, we encountered several species of beetles, some of which were extremely rare, including the Duplipectus degroofi beetle.
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“My research with universities in Eastern Europe revealed that this species is only found on Seram Island.
“Finding it felt like discovering a hidden treasure, as we trekked eight kilometres a day in harsh conditions.”
The Duplipectus degroofi beetle is known for its small size and shy behaviour, which makes it challenging to capture and study in its natural habitat.
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But Mofeed said one of the biggest challenges of his job is sleeping in the depths of the forest.
He said: “I was surprised to learn that the team did not use enclosed tents but open ones, due to their deep knowledge of the forest and its dangers.
“Despite being with researchers and specialists with experience ranging from 17 to over 30 years, we had no protection from creatures that might visit us during the night, such as snakes and venomous insects.
“With only four hours of sleep, the constant sound of cicadas, reaching 108.9 decibels, made it feel like nature was testing our patience.
“The noise was so intense that it almost drove us mad, and the lack of sleep affected our ability to navigate the following day and photograph the creatures.”
After five nights in the heart of the forest, Mofeed’s team returned to the village of Salman, located between the forest and the sea.
He said: “This village, with its eerie huts inhabited by reptiles and insects at night, initially seemed primitive.
“However, after two nights in the depths of the forest, it felt like paradise.
“We spent a day recovering before heading back into the heart of the forest.”
On days six and seven, the team’s goal was to explore Hatusaka Cave, the deepest vertical cave in Indonesia.
Mofeed said: “To reach it, we had to camp another two consecutive nights in the forest.
“The path to the cave was arduous, and very few people had managed to reach it.
“After trekking for about 12 hours through the dense jungle, our team split due to an incident with my friend, a photographer, who was scratched by a poisonous plant.
“This was a difficult moment that almost cancelled the entire mission, but thanks to our experienced guide, he was treated.
“I was left with two other team members, and as we continued, one of them told me that even the island’s indigenous people dared not venture to the cave due to its danger.
“For a brief moment, I felt as though reaching the cave was like achieving an impossible dream.”
The team set off early in the morning and finally reached the cave at 5pm – just before sunset.
Mofeed said: “It felt like a challenge beyond photographing insects, an entirely different discovery.
“On the seventh night, we set up lights to attract various insect species and study them scientifically.
“It was one of the most rewarding moments of the journey, as I felt like I was in a scientific laboratory amidst nature, where fear, challenge, and the power of nature merged with knowledge and science.
“On the last day, as we returned from the heart of the forest – where there is no cell phone coverage or means of communication except for a satellite phone – we encountered heavy rain.
“Despite being well-prepared for such conditions, the power of nature prevailed.
“I lost equipment worth over $5500.
“After leaving Seram Island and travelling to Kalimantan’s forests, I felt a deep sadness, as though the mysterious island was telling me that I had not yet uncovered all its secrets.
“The forests of Kalimantan, though similar to those of Seram, offered a different diversity.
“This journey was a saga of challenge and perseverance, revealing to me the power and mysterious beauty of nature.
“I learned that passion and knowledge can open doors to worlds we never dreamed existed.
“It is a story of 17 days that will remain etched in my memory as an inspiring film about the human will in the face of the grandeur of nature.”
