Mark Carmody

Born and bred in Cobh, County Cork, Ireland, Mark  has had an interest in wildlife since he was a young boy. Living by the sea, it was natural that sea life, and in particular seabirds, whales and dolphins, took precedence for him. Conservation is also something he is passionate about, having helped set up a nature reserve in Cobh in the late 1980s. He has been birdwatching in Ireland since he was 12 and in countries throughout Europe, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Sinai, Morrocco, Japan and the United States.

Mark graduated with a Ph.D. in biochemistry from University College Cork and spent four years in postdoctoral genetic research. He moved to Japan in 2005 to work with a Japanese patent law firm, leaving research behind. He returned to Ireland in 2008 and has since qualified as a European patent attorney, working for a small boutique firm in Dublin. His specialized areas are life sciences, material science and medical device patents.

Mark’s passion (some say obsession) with bird and wildlife photography was really fuelled during his time in Japan. Since returning to Ireland in 2008, he has published three books on Ireland’s birds and has had many photographs published in national and international magazines. He is also an editor of the Cork Bird Report publication. He gives talks to camera and wildlife clubs and NGOs on topics such as wildlife and wildlife photography. He looks forward to sharing his passion for wildlife with Lindblad-National Geographic guests and learning from the great photographers on board.