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Archive 2016 · Wild Borneo (updated)

desong
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Have been working in northwestern Borneo the past few days and thought I'd share a few pics here.

This is a typical view of the type of habitats where we find a lot of amphibians and reptiles. The cool water from the crystal clear stream is very much welcomed in the near 30C humid jungle.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_kasai.jpg

The Malayan Horned Frog is a master of disguise. Without the help of the local tribe, finding it is nigh on impossible. It camouflages beautifully amongst the leaf litter and only makes a call very infrequently.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/horned_frog.jpg

We came across this beautiful Keeled Pit Viper resting not far from we we're stationed. With great care (as it's venomous), you can attain some great close-ups. Aside from macros, I have also shot some with a wide-angled showing its environment.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/keeled-viper.jpg

We were very privileged to find a Wallace Tree Frog (named after Alfred Wallace) a.k.a. Flying Tree Frog, as it's quite rare to see one. It uses its large webbed feet to glide in the air from tree to tree. A fantastic sight to witness.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_wallace.jpg

I have been photographing wild Orangutan for a few years now but it's still an incredible feeling to see one, as sightings are getting more and more difficult, especially here in northwestern Borneo. I will be heading to the eastern part in a few days time so hopefully will get to see them again. This is a young adult, male.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_orangutan.jpg

This is the dominant male and I really wanted to get a nice portrait of it. With a large intelligent ape like this, you really need to consider the risk involved, and understand the body language that both them and you present. Even though the previous male was larger, he lost his reign to this younger fellow due to his strength. According to the locals, the old chap lost one of its eyes in the battle. I am far nervous approaching apes than a venomous snake. This was taken about 30 feet away when he was resting on the ground. With 500mm focal length on a full-frame sensor, I was able to get a shoulder headshot, so this represent about 70% of the actual image. After I had back off, I could feel a slight tremble in my hands, presumably from the concentration and adrenaline pumping through my veins. It's moments like this that I really feel alive and humbled as a wildlife photographer.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_orangportrait.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Edited on Mar 10, 2016 at 08:24 AM · View previous versions

Mar 08, 2016 at 09:05 PM

CaddisCO
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Wow, these are all great! I think the frogs are my favorites, though.

Mar 08, 2016 at 09:10 PM

KCollett
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Wild Borneo (updated)

A very interesting and invigorating set! Great snake shot. Love the last, of course. Really good captures and processing.

Mar 08, 2016 at 09:21 PM

pdmilesjr
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Great photos and a nice narrative..--Paul

Mar 08, 2016 at 09:30 PM

kwilliam8
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Wow, great set of images! Thanks for sharing.
Keith W.

Mar 08, 2016 at 10:57 PM

surfnron
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Very well done. 4 is my pick, but the last is very intense ~ Ron

Mar 09, 2016 at 08:26 AM

wonderer
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Fantastic assortment of beautifully captured portraits! These are a real treat to view. I found myself hanging on to your every word in the paragraph about the alpha ape. Though obviously different in scope and scale, I had a similar encounter / sensation photographing a coywolf that caught me by surprise last spring. I do understand how your hands got to trembling...

These are a gorgeous set; thanks for posting.

Mar 09, 2016 at 09:30 AM

jfwoodman
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Thank you for sharing these wonderful highlights from your trip. I look forward to more!

Jim

Mar 09, 2016 at 01:46 PM

phoenix7gtm
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Beautiful set of unusual subjects. 2 & 6 are standouts imo.

~George.

Mar 09, 2016 at 02:18 PM

louie champan
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Amazing assortment of images, terrific job.

Mar 09, 2016 at 04:28 PM

Max_Pain
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Wild Borneo (updated)

I like the images, but I LOVED the narration. I would watch a documentary if you made it

Mar 09, 2016 at 05:13 PM

Warkari
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Wild Borneo (updated)

These are spectacular and captivating images. Thanks for sharing.

Mar 09, 2016 at 10:59 PM

KirkB
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Really cool set of critters and wonderful pics... 2, 3, and 5 are my favorites. Very well done and thanks for sharing these with us.

Kirk

Mar 10, 2016 at 12:28 AM

desong
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Thanks all for your comments. Glad you enjoy seeing the images of wildlife from this region. I'm heading east tomorrow so here are a few more for the time being...

We came across this group of Silver-leaf Monkey/Langgur halfway trekking in the forest. They were heading generally to the direction of where we were staying. I thought no more of it other than stopping and watching them for a few minutes before moving on. But we were pleasantly surprised when we saw them feeding right next to our lodge at ground level upon our return. So we're able to take real good close-ups as well as just spending time watching them feed. Unlike the Macaques, I found the SLM to be very peaceful.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_silverleaf.jpg

Many of the tropical birds are very colourful, like this Tickell's Blue Flycatcher. It is a small busy little bird - similar size to an English Robin. It normally stays quite high up in the canopies, but luckily our jungle lodge is built on stilts so I was able to get an almost eye level view of this handsome fellow.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_flycatcher.jpg

I haven't spend much time documenting the flora here but like the animals, the number of flowering plants are mind boggling. I came across a number of Orchidaceae, like this beautiful Bamboo Orchid.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_orchid.jpg

Recyclers like fungi plays a very important role in the rainforest. Apart from returning nutrients into the substrate, some species actually helps control fast spreading plants. This particular one is named Cup Fungus, for obvious reason. It measures about 1cm in diameter and it's one of the more colourful species I came across.

http://www.desong.co.uk/misc/des_fungi.jpg

I will try and add more images as I venture further, if I am able to get connected. A few of the locations that I will be visiting will not even have phone signals so do bare with me. That is, assuming that you want to see more.

Mar 10, 2016 at 08:22 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Wild Borneo (updated)

I vote for more!
Ron

Mar 10, 2016 at 08:27 AM

desong
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Guess it's just you, Ron. Just as well as the wifi here is non-existence! Thanks to those who committed. Glad you've enjoyed them.

Cheers, Des.

Mar 16, 2016 at 01:56 AM

MarkB1
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Wonderful set D ... You should check Orionmystery - if you don't know him - he's based in Kuala Lumpur AFAIK.

Mar 16, 2016 at 03:08 AM

morris
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Excellent set Des

Morris

Mar 16, 2016 at 08:27 PM

desong
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Wild Borneo (updated)

Cheers guys. Might post a few more once I have a better connection.

Mar 21, 2016 at 06:56 AM


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