Saturday, August 19, 2017

2017 Borneo River Wildlife Photo Trip, Day 4

Is the last day of this Borneo trip. We will have about 3 hours before checking out from the home-stay and go to airport for our flight back to Singapore.
Sukau
Since is the last day, I'm slightly earlier so just walk around the village while waiting fore others to get ready.

Monitor lizard
 Is too early even this monitor lizard just too lazy to move.
Green Imperial Pigeon
 Most of the time Green Imperial Pigeon perched very high up. Although this pigeon didn't perch all the way up but all the branches make it not possible to get a clean shot.
We seen quite a few Grey Headed Fish Eagle. This is another one waiting for the right time to strike at their prey.
Purple Heron
 One thing good about bird watching on the boat, is easier to spot any birds that fly cross the river.
long tail macaque
This long tail macaque pick up the oil palm fruits from the water as breakfast.
long tail macaque
 Another family having a great bonding time on the tree branch above us.
White breasted water hen
 White breasted water hen learn to pick up food that flush down by water.
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros)
 This hornbill pecking on this tree trunk looking for termite?
Darter (Anhinga melanogaster)
 Another darter waiting for the sun to dry its feathers.
Orang Utan
Just when we about to turn back to our home stay, we saw this Orang Utan playing hide & seek with us. What a great way to end our Borneo trip!
Magnum ice cream
While on the way to airport, we stop at petrol station for Magnum! Thank you Borneo, see you again!
This is my 3rd visit to this airport thanks to Kinabatangan river. Hope to come back again soon!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

2017 Borneo River Wildlife Photo Trip, Day 3

We set off at 5.30am this morning with our lunch packed on board as we continue to look for the illusive Borneo Pygmy Elephants. Since we are leaving this lovely place tomorrow, if we are to look for the elephants it will be today. 
Kinabatangan
 We head upstream with full speed and will stop along the way for any interesting finding.
Black hornbill (Anthracoceros malayanus)
From a distance, we saw a hornbill flying across the river, is a Black Hornbill on a closer look.
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
A Purple Heron on a perfect blue sky as background.
Storms Stork (Ciconia stormi)
We were talking about to see Storm Storks again and we got one! Clear view with a rather close distance too.
Storms Stork (Ciconia stormi)
Not just one but 5 of them. We even treated with extra actions show. I'm sure this will help to boost the number for this critically endangered species.
As we move further upstream, we heard some elephant trumpeting from the forest to our right. Our guide told us that the elephants may come to the river edge for feeding in the later part of the afternoon.
Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
While waiting for the elephants, a flock of about 30 Oriental Pied Hornbill fly cross the river one by one.
Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)
A sequencing shots of the Oriental Pied Hornbill.
The temperature continue to soar pass 38 degree Celsius to almost unbearable level. We decided to take cover under some shade and have our lunch while we wait for the appearance of the elephants.
black-and-yellow broadbill (Eurylaimus ochromalus)
While having our lunch, guess who come and greet us? What a beautiful Black & Yellow Broadbill!
Oriental Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhyncus)
After the broadbill, Oriental Honey Buzzard  continue to keep us entertained.
Borneo Pygmy Elephants
After several attempts, follow the trumpeting calls and we finally get to meet the Borneo Pygmy Elephants.
Borneo Pygmy Elephants
This very playful come too close to us that we have to move further away. The body language show that this baby elephant just want to play and mean no harm. The parents just watch their baby from behind.
Borneo Pygmy Elephants
We saw a wound on the baby elephant back, not sure what causes it. Perhaps the elephant wanted to show us?
Borneo Pygmy Elephants
As we move away from the river bank, another adult elephant swim across the river the re-united with the herd. Is possible that they got separated the night before if they are chase away by the staff from the nearby plantation.
The weather change so quickly the minute we are done with the elephants.
We couldn't reach our home-stay on time and got wet from head to toe by the heavy downpour.
We end our Day 3 program early as it is still raining all the way to late evening. Since we are leaving tomorrow, I take the opportunity to start packing my luggage. Is been a wonderful trip so far.  :)