About rab178
Hi, my name is Richard Bales; I’m from Melbourne, Australia. A bit of my background history, my mam is Brazilian and my dad is Uruguayan, I was born in Sydney but them when I was 5years old my parents decided go back to live in Uruguay. I lived 15 years but In 2001 I decided move back to Australia – Sydney on my own to play professional soccer which after a year I had a bad injury and for personal reason I had go back to Uruguay ,but in 2003 I came back to Sydney ,them later on in 2010 I moved to Melbourne. Since I remember as kid I’ve always been devoted by animals and photography. Back in Uruguay I’m still remember my dad getting mad on me taking his canon camera spending to many pictures rolls taking pictures of my dogs. Even worst one of my uncles have a big farm at north of Uruguay border with Brazil and I was going along with my camera every year after finish school or high school for a month or more and spending every single day riding horse and taking pictures of every single animal I think that was my first call devoted to animals and photography
As a teenager couldn’t have much free time to dedicate it because studying and also I was playing professional soccer but it never let me down to my dream and devotion for wild life and photography. I remember was always watching every single documentary on national geographic or discovery all the time and my dream at that time was going to amazon as NATGEO photographer.
But at the age 21 suddenly I was in Australia, massive step in my life in every single way; personal, social, language, cultural, etc. but at the same time I was found that I could make my dream come true with all Australia can offer u about wild life and photography opportunities. but once again to busy studying English ,training soccer everyday and playing on weekends that I could not have time to focus in my another passion apart playing soccer. I love so much wild life photography that I remember was going to Sydney TARONGA Zoo and spending the whole day. Taronga Zoo is great environment that make u feel u are part of it and for me doing that it was like living in the paradise surrounded by all those animals, enjoying it so much that I knew it no matter what; I would keep chasing my dream.
Thing didn’t go well playing soccer , so after year I had a knee injury which made it end up my soccer career very early and on the end of 2001 I went back to Uruguay .but sep. 2003 I came back to Australia and in 2004 I decided studying chef career which took me 3 years. It wasn’t easy but for those 3 years I couldn’t take holidays. But I did promise myself that after finish my studies I will have time to myself and go anywhere to do what I love the most..
Finally after long 4 years I started my journey for 3 long months going to L.A, Las Vegas, Panama, Colombia, some Caribbean Islands, Uruguay, Colombia again and Amazon, after spend Xmas’08 I went back to Colombia because my friend knew that one of my dreams always was go to Amazons and he has a friend who grew up in Amazons, so finally in Feb. Of 2009 one of my dreams came true and he took us to unknown and most weird but at the same inexplicable and incredible part of amazons that no even is for tourism. Now I can say that I SURVIVED for 7 days without food, phone of any advanced device. Just me, my friend and my camera, just living about what we were finishing or sharing food from native’s tribe .I really did enjoy it every single minute. I have not words to describe the feeling of wake up early in the morning and seen so much wild life feeding, getting involve about all that amazing natives history , trekking into the jungle and learn so much about medicinal plants, the way they communicate eachother, the way they actually live. But I got be honest and say that I did really scared for some moments... at the point that we had to jump off the boat because got it stuck in the middle of black river full of black caimans or seen a 6mts anaconda when we were walking through the jungle. But the best thing ever in that trip and achieved one of my dreams was going to one of the Amazon River fluent and swimming with the pink dolphins at the sunset.... it was one of my best experience ever not only because I saw then feeding but because I had to jump into the water, it was scared, exited but when I got close to then and touch then I couldn’t believe it...that was my best experience ever, speechless and unreal adventure.
Obviously after 3 long months full of adventures, excitement about my journey along with my camera I had to come back and working hard to schedule my next trip which it would be “Brazil”, because travelling along with my camera I felt something inside me, something addict it to explore different places , different cultures for more adventures and sometimes by risking a bit of yourself get that feeling and passion for wild life and photography that makes you keep going and makes your life worth it.....
Brazil was great, went through so much amazing places, people are great, so friendly, and very kind; my camera and I had a great time... but after that trip in brazil I felt that I was missing something before continue travelling overseas .. And it was Australia...!! living here for so many year didn’t travel much around, so in 2012 I went northern territory because also I’ve always been interested about aboriginal culture, so I did spend 2 weeks travelling around the whole territory which I think after been swimming with the pink dolphins in Amazons was the best experience ever...people says northern territory is the land of spirits and I didn’t get it why?, til I got there, That land has so much beauties that makes you involve in so much history, nature , so peaceful . A place to be.
Well this is a bit of my life, hope u guys didn’t get bored but wrapping all this what I can also tell about myself that I am normal guy with a normal camera ; small digital cameras or now my phone, no fancy cameras but being creative ,digging in or do impossible thing to get the perfect shot.
I went through so much thing that real life putting you at the front but never forgot, forget and won’t forget the chance what I love the most ...WILD LIFE AND PHOTOGRAPHY, because when I’m doing it... I feel free.....
Thanks to all of you guys to give me this opportunity to keep chasing my dream.
