Located between Indonesia and Australia, well within the so-called Coral Triangle, Timor-Leste is one of the youngest and least-known countries in the world, after having regained its independence in 2002.

The sea around Timor-Leste reaches depths of more than 3,000 metres, and all sorts of fascinating underwater habitats can be found along its coast, most still in pristine condition.

On land, mountains soar to almost 3,000 metres above sea level, and mysterious forests can still be found in many of the remote areas. These are, for the people who live in their vicinity, sacred places.

“Timor-Leste: from the sea to the mountains” takes us on an unprecedented in-depth photographic journey through the nature of this country and its outstanding biodiversity.

Seven years in the making, this book includes photographs of more than 900 species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and other marine animals, all of wild specimens in their natural habitats in the waters of Timor-Leste, as well as more than 100 species of birds, reptiles and mammals, many of them endemic. It is also an account of the experiences, often adventurous, of travelling to some of the most secluded places in this nation.

Aimed at raising awareness about this exceptional biological richness and fostering engagement with conservation efforts both locally and abroad, this book is also an invaluable resource for scuba divers, birdwatchers and the academic community. Species are identified by common and scientific names in their respective pages, and there's a comprehensive species index at the end organized by taxonomy, which also includes the detailed location of each photo.

The author, Gerardo C. Ângelo was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and pursued a career in engineering and management. Aside from these endeavours, Gerardo has long been fascinated by the natural world and has travelled worldwide in search of elusive species. Living in Timor-Leste for an extended period brought him the opportunity to thoroughly observe its intriguing natural features and a vast array of marine and terrestrial species.

All photos were taken by Gerardo C. Ângelo. This exciting new book can be purchased here. All other inquiries can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Jennifer Idol

As I flew over the Gulf of Mexico on a return trip from Tobago, the pilot made an announcement. We were flying over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I sat on the right side of the plane in a window seat and pressed my face against the window. As I looked down, I saw an array of oil tankers surrounding water that flamed as they desperately tried to contain the spillage. I did not take a photo. Instead, I burned the image into my mind.

The moment the sight receded into the distance, I deeply regretted freezing in my seat and gazing downward without capturing the scene. This spill took place in my backyard. As a Texan with nearly 20 years of diving experience, I knew our underwater environment would be immensely impacted.

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The new stunning book authored by Josef Litt offers a comprehensive picture of one of the most extraordinary places on our planet.

Elements of history, science and personal travelogue packed with beautiful photography will take you on a dazzling journey through the magic archipelago. It’s the ultimate guide to the Galápagos islands full of captivating information and first-hand stories - with 288 pages filled with more than 300 stunning photographs as well as original illustrations. GALÁPAGOS uncovers fascinating behaviour of its unique fauna. It is filled with stories of discovery and colonisation but also of exploitation, deceit, mutiny and murder.

The book is available on Amazon.com and Blurb.com in the United States. Readers in the United Kingdom and Europe will find their copy on Amazon.co.uk.

Josef says, “I consider myself lucky that I had the time and means to write GALÁPAGOS, a book about the Galapagos islands. I would be delighted if the book was used as a Galapagos islands map, a companion on Galapagos tours and cruises, and as an entertaining source of information at home. Human presence and actions more often than not put nature and its creatures in danger of obliteration. If there is a more significant purpose behind the photographs and the stories, it should be to demonstrate how precious nature is and how important it is to keep it preserved.”

“I found the writing crisp, clear and engaging, jam-packed with intriguing theories, eye-opening facts, and attractive illustrations. Here’s a book that I – and I hope many others – will use and enjoy for a long time to come.” – Tui De Roy, world-renowned photographer and author of the most acclaimed books about Galápagos.

“A must-read for anyone planning to visit the islands and equally for those that already have a place in their heart for Galápagos.” – Dr. Alexander Mustard, internationally awarded underwater photographer and a commended author.

Press Release

SEADUCTION - The Sensuous Side of the Sea is a stunning collection of photographs that captures the abstract side of sea life, which explodes with color, texture, and visual excitement. Photographed by world-renowned underwater photographer Beverly Factor, the images are so otherworldly that they capture one’s attention immediately. Nature’s complexity is front and center in these incredible images of various underwater creatures that invite multiple viewings and interpretations. Called the Georgia O’Keefe of the underwater realm, Beverly’s seductive images portray the ocean’s magical world in intimate close-us, featuring outrageous color combinations, mysterious patterns, textures, and sensual movements.

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