An Aussie Joins America - Brief Article

PSA Journal, Sept, 1999 by Amy McMillan

Members of the Photographic Society of America were beneficiaries, when, in February of 1996, Jack Green traveled from Gosford, Australia, to this country to visit friends. Jack is a naturalist and a nature photographer. While in the US, he joined the Madera Camera Club, PSA, and the Gold Rush Chapter. In the short time he has belonged, Jack has produced three separate shows: "The Land Down Under," "Thailand, Land of Smiles," and "Beneath the Southern Cross." The PSA-affiliated groups to benefit from the presentations are: Gold Rush Chapter, Asilomar Rally, and the camera clubs of Fresno, Madera, Merced, Modesto, and Selma Chroma. Jack continues to participate in the Madera Camera Club slide competition together with San Joaquin Valley Camera Club Council, receiving top scores.

To learn about the background of this man is to learn of a world of excitement. Few people have ever thought of attempting any of the numerous accomplishments of Jack Green.

As a child, Jack helped his father with his commercial fishing chores. An early interest in commercial fishing led to aquarium fish breeding. Being an enterprising young man, he became a source of fish and aquarium accessories for interested parties. Later, he tended to the needs of the aquatic section of the then new Australian Reptile Park (ARP). At that time the park had the largest collection of reptiles and native animals outside of the major state zoos. The Reptile Park became the main supplier of snake and spider venom to the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories for the making of antivenins.

While in the position of curator, among other achievements, he became the first person in Australia to: (1) breed the American alligator, (2) hatch and raise the venomous Blue-ringed octopus, and (3) photograph the platypus with its eyes open under water. That the platypus keeps its eyes open under water had been denied by text books ever since this animal was first discovered. It was one of Jack's platypus photo images that was used as a guide for the Australian 20c coin.

Jack's involvement with crocodilians was the indirect result of the director of the Australian Reptile Park asking Jack to assist with the uncrating of three young, three-foot-long frightened alligators. On that occasion, when one jumped out of the crate and into Jack's lap, he suddenly and unwillingly was initiated. From there he eventually went on to become a hand feeder of these prehistoric monsters. This was accomplished by carrying fish and/or chicken in buckets and depositing the delicious morsels into the mouths of the alligators and crocodiles. In Alligator Man, Jack wrote that he'd never had a desire to come into close contact with the teeth of alligators. Anyone wanting to know how it feels to have a hand in the mouths of such animals need only to ask Jack. He had that experience on two occasions. There are photos and film footage of his experiences as alligators and crocodiles surrounded him, rushing to be fed. The trick, he wrote, is to have plenty of food on hand to appease them and also to be able to move quickly!

In addition to Alligator Man, Jack has authored Recorded Shark Attacks in Australian Waters, Your Aquarium, and is the co-author of The Platypus. His book Recorded Shark Attacks in Australian Waters contained the largest list ever compiled on Australian shark attacks from 1791 to the date of publication, 1975.

As a survivor of a bite by one of the world's deadliest snakes, the Mexican Water Moccasin, Jack kept such accurate records of his treatment that his article regarding that frightening episode (complete with photographs) was included in a medical journal. Realizing that he had received a deep bite in the underside of the tip of one of his fingers, he administered his own first aid prior to getting help. Upon his arrival at the hospital approximately 20 minutes after the snake's attack, it was discovered that necrosis had already begun. Interestingly, Jack had allergic reactions to the very type of antivenin which he had helped to collect for emergencies such as his.

As with many photographers, the art of picture taking went hand-in-hand with Jack's profession. In addition to the publication of his articles in magazines, including Australian Geo, many of his photo images have been published on calendars, posters, book covers, postcards, etc. Another great achievement occurred when the Australian Postal Department used a photograph taken by Jack on one of its postage stamps. The stamp features two kangaroos.

Traveling in the US has increased Jack's collection of photographs. He has toured places that would delight any traveler, to say nothing of photographers. These sites include Churchill, Canada; Ding Darling Reserve, Florida; The Everglades; Grand Canyon; Mesa Verde; Monument Valley; Yellowstone; Yosemite; Bryce Canyon; the Red Rock country; Tahiti; and Thailand.

It is hoped that when Jack Green returns to the US in future trips, he will bring more programs and also present his original shows to those groups which were unable to schedule them previously. This blending of an Australian in America with Jack's membership in the Photographic Society of America has been beneficial to PSA members. We hope it has also helped Jack by giving him exposure to Americans. This is typical of the philosophy of PSA. We walk hand in hand benefiting one another.