Exploring Hong Kong's Nocturnal Creatures: A Photographer's Perspective
Photographer Lawrence Hylton ventures into the mysterious darkness of Hong Kong to capture the captivating beauty of nocturnal creatures on his mesmerizing night safaris
British wildlife photographer Lawrence Hylton has captured stunning images of a green pit viper coiled around a drainpipe, three blue-banded bees sleeping on a grass blade, and a gecko climbing a tree against the backdrop of a bustling city as part of his extensive portfolio in Hong Kong.
Despite being one of the most densely populated places in the world, Hong Kong is home to over 1,000 animal species and boasts one third of all bird species in China. Many of these creatures are nocturnal, but 30-year-old Hylton doesn't let that stop him from seeking them out for his photography.
Hylton engages in frequent nocturnal safaris with the aim of promoting conservation through his artistic nature photography. He hopes to change people's perception of nature and its creatures, emphasizing that animals have a right to live and should not be feared.
Lawrence Hylton, a wildlife photographer from Hong Kong, specializes in capturing images of the city's nocturnal animal life. His goal is to alter the perception of creatures such as the Chinese cobra, which are often viewed as dangerous. "Fear can lead people to act irrationally," he explains.
Lawrence Hylton
Hong Kong is home to more than 1,000 animal species, including this giant shield mantis.
Lawrence Hylton
Despite having diverse wildlife, including nocturnal animals like this Reeves's Tokay gecko, biodiversity loss is still an issue for Hong Kong.
Lawrence Hylton
Snakes are Hylton's favorite animal to photograph, but getting close enough can be a challenge.
Lawrence Hylton
Pit vipers naturally coil when hunting, which makes photographing them easier, says Hylton.
Lawrence Hylton
Hylton started photographing wildlife at the age of 17. Now aged 30, he goes on night excursions to capture images like these bees on a grass blade.
Lawrence Hylton
Hylton says it's important to respect wildlife when photographing. "Capture what we need to capture and leave it be," he says.
Lawrence Hylton
Hong Kong has over 245 species of butterflies including the fish-line silkworm, pictured here.
Lawrence Hylton
Ophiocordyceps australis is a fungus that can infect insects.
Lawrence Hylton
Here, Hylton gets a close-up view of a local stag beetle.
Lawrence Hylton
The photographer uncovering Hong Kong's nocturnal wildlife
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Hylton has a fondness for searching for reptiles and amphibians, especially snakes, due to the fact that he believes they are often misunderstood. He remarks on the persecution that many snakes face despite their significance as predators and ecological indicators.
For Hylton, locating wildlife is the straightforward part, but capturing them on camera requires a great deal of patience. "You're dealing with a subject that doesn't want to be disrupted, so it's crucial to make an effort to respect wildlife whenever possible," he explains. "The best approach when documenting is to capture what we need and then let it be."
Yellow-crested cockatoo at Yuen Po Bird Market, Hong Kong, May 21, 2023.
Tom Booth/CNN
The population of this rare cockatoo has been greatly reduced due to poaching. There is hope that a feral flock in Hong Kong could help save the species.
Hylton began his wildlife photography journey at 17 when he received his first camera. His early subjects were "the occasional bird perched on a branch or a charming ladybird exploring a leaf," but it wasn't until he relocated from the UK to Hong Kong and captured an image of a peregrine falcon in flight that his passion truly ignited.
When it comes to nocturnal wildlife, Hong Kong is relatively safe to explore after dark, aside from the presence of "blood-thirsty insects" and feral dogs. According to Hylton, there are no large predators in the area that would pose a threat to humans. All that's needed to begin spotting night-time wildlife is a torch, some common sense, and awareness of the subjects they may encounter.
Bosco Chan, director of conservation at WWF Hong Kong, attributes the survival and thriving of wildlife in the region to the fact that around 40% of the land is designated as "country parks," one of the highest ratios of protected areas in the world. Along with the city's hilly terrain, this allows animals to avoid human disturbances and hunting pressure.
Pit vipers naturally coil when hunting, which makes photographing them easier, says Hylton.
Although Hong Kong is home to hundreds of species, the problem of biodiversity loss persists. According to Chan, the region was once inhabited by tigers, a leopard, and a large Indian civet, which was last seen in the 1940s. Furthermore, the lowland frog species known as the floating frog has also been lost in recent years due to the abandonment of rice farming, which was its natural habitat in paddy fields.
The WWF and other organizations are working to protect endangered species like the Eurasian otter. According to Chan, this species is one of the few remaining types of urban otters in China. Hylton believes that more can be done to preserve Hong Kong's natural habitats through education. He highlights that many hikers in the area have a fear of snakes and the unknown, which can lead to reckless behavior. Hylton hopes that in the future, everyone can simply enjoy nature as they intended to when they ventured outdoors.
