Summary

Image taken by Archibald James Campbell on a Christmas trip to the 'Yarra Track'. From a photograph album containing 181 photographs taken during various trips to throughout Australia. One of two albums covering these trips [see also HT 15824]. A well-known Naturalist and Ornithologist, Campbell was one of the first in Australia to employ nature photography in recording his fieldwork. He was also a great proponent of environmental protection. Campbell's interest in nature was aroused in childhood at Werribee, Victoria where he lived with his grandparents until the age of 10. His first love was egg-collecting, and his general interest in birds was further inspired by the study of John Gould's works at the Public Library. He was for many years active in the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. By 1896 his collection of eggs represented 500 species.
Campbell initiated the first of several dinners which led to the formation in 1901 of the (Royal) Australasian Ornithologists' Union; he was president in 1909 and 1928 and co-editor of its journal, The Emu, for thirteen years. Campbell published widely and was quite an early advocate for the protection of the Australian bush. He was also a keen photographer having taken up courses at the Working Men's College in Melbourne to enable the illustration of his great work .Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds. (1900). Campbell's egg collection along with his vast image collection is housed at Museum Victoria.

Description of Content

The upper reaches of the Yarra River. There are two men in the foreground and one is pointing towards the right.

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