Excerpts from travels to the Galapagos.

A preview of images from a recent volunteer expedition in Kenya. The purpose of the expedition was to research rhino habitat west of Mount Kenya in an effort to balance wildlife conservation with the needs of the local communities. Data collection included: census of all visible wildlife at 5km intervals; measuring the impact of animals that shared food sources; and predator carrying capacity.

Balancing the needs of local communities with wildlife conservation is critical to long-term sustainability. The researchers and askaris (guards) taught us how to identify spoor; whether thorn trees had been nibbled on by rhino, elephant or giraffe; how to collect data from a plot using various methods; and how to conduct a census. Researchers and conservancy staff also spent considerable effort communicating ways in which the project contributed to the local community. We visited several schools, from tiny schoolhouses built from reclaimed materials, to concrete compounds with students in uniform and previous-generation computers along the wall. Some volunteers brought school supplies, and all were inspired to contribute.

All of the images in this gallery are in the 2012 Calendar. Begin your calendar in any month. On sale now. Click on the cover image (the 1st image) to order. To purchase separately as prints, simply click on an image.

Images from Cape Town, Camps Bay, Gordon's Bay and the Cape of Good Hope.

Grey, killer and beluga whale images (plus a seal or two) from travels in British Columbia. The only captive animals in this gallery are the 2 images of a beluga and her calf, taken at the Vancouver Aquarium. The grey whale has one of the longest migrations in the world, from Alaska to Baja California. The grey whale image in this gallery was taken in Baja California at the southernmost end of its journey.

Visit Afar.com and search for Mary Ramos to view highlights from Istanbul, Turkey.

Iconic images of Istanbul in a new calendar. Click the Buy button for any image in this gallery to purchase the calendar for $22.95. Also, search for Mary Ramos at Afar.com for more Highlights from Istanbul.

Images from a resort hotel, a river raft ride, traditional local pottery, a migrating monarch,, a reminder to learn to make arroz con leche, and wood sculptures by Costa Rica's most famous artist. Not the typical Costa Rica iconography, but it was what I was able to capture between workshop sessions.

The New World Symphony has a new home in Miami Beach. This Frank-Gehry-inside-out design encases the architect's signature curves in a hurricane-resistent glass-and-concrete box. Patrons inside are enveloped in the sound waves that define NWS' new logo. Outside, green space, white paths and blue skies form the backdrop for outdoor projections of live concerts, movies and events with the benefit of what can only be described as outdoor surround-sound. Park your cares at the curb, this is a space for living, walking, dreaming, listening and meeting.