A baby New Zealand Fur Seal photographed near Dunedin
On my visit to New Zealand I made a point to visit Dunedin, for it’s wildlife watching.
I saw penguins there, which was my main draw, but the New Zealand Fur Seals were a big attraction as well.
A little more than a hundred years ago, these fur seals were hunted to near extinction by the Maori people. Thankfully, today there is a growing population near Dunedin, around the Otago Peninsula.
It was late-November when I visited and we were lucky enough to see a number of newborn fur seals, even some that had just been born that day! (Kind of gross with the placenta still lying on the rocks.)
High up in the trees of Borneo, above the flying birds and climbing monkeys, is the most impressive Canopy Walk I’ve taken.
There are some massive trees in Gunung Mulu National Park
Massively long swinging bridges, connected to enormous trees create what is supposedly one of the largest Canopy Walkways in the world.
Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo is home to a lush forest, where creep crawlies abound and odd bugs seem to appear out of nowhere. Everything seems alive! Sticks start moving (stick bugs) and leaves start crawling (leaf bugs). Even the squirrels here can fly.
The Tree-Based Canopy Skywalk in Mulu National Park, Borneo
So, with so much going on, being able to rise high above the forest and get a birds eye view of the action is a great way to appreciate just how dense and impressive this forest is.
Don’t do this if you’re afraid of heights…
Immensely tall trees make up the pillars for all of the Canopy Walk in Mulu. There are no safety harnesses here or required guides. Once you’re approved to climb to the canopy, you’re on your own. So if you have a fear of heights…you might want to skip this activity!
One of the massive trees that supports the canopy skywalk in Mulu National Park, Borneo
Climbing to dizzying heights, this Canopy Walk quickly surpassed those I’ve done in Canada and Costa Rica. You could see more wildlife here and having the walkway built into the trees of the forest meant you’re not walking along some huge metal contraptions that seem out of place.
Colourful birds, like Hornbills, would fly by without a care and monkeys would meander through the trees beneath me. Orchids and all sorts of odd vegetation grow up in the canopy as well, so much diversity! What a great way to wander around a forest.
A strange little bug up in the forest canopy
Definitely a highlight from my travels to Mulu. The park is famously known for it’s impressive caves, but if you head here, don’t skip out on the Canopy Walk. A big two thumbs up to this one.
Walkway in the Canopy at Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo
The first time I visited Arizona it was a very quick trip. It was a little hop over the border from Utah to visit Navajo Nation and see Monument Valley.
I’m not a big ‘Western’ movie fan or anything like that, but I still got a feeling of adventure and discovery as I drove down the highway along the iconic strip that everyone takes photos of. Seeing people on horseback riding along just helped with the stereotypical vision I had of what Monument Valley would be like.
I explored Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park the next day with my Navajo guide and this was one of the first photos I took while enjoying the scenery and learning about the history of this part of the US.
An Arctic Fox resting on a small island near Yankicha Island in Far East Russia
I’ve seen Arctic foxes a few times. Sometimes in their puffy, pure white coats, sometimes in more grey colours and sometimes – like this guy – a brown black colour.
On Yankicha Island in the Kuril Islands off the far east coast of Russia, there are some towering birds cliffs and Arctic foxes have learned that it makes for good eating to hang around those thousands upon thousands of birds (and their eggs).
This particular fox was a noisy one, calling to other foxes on nearby mountains. Somehow he had gotten himself stranded on a tiny island in the middle of an old volcanic crater. There was plenty of food around for him, but he’d have to wait for winter and frozen ice to make his way back to Yankicha Island.
Have you ever gone snorkelling? How about snorkelling in perfectly clear river water?
Getting ready to River Snorkel in Bonito, Brazil
Down in Brazil there is a great little town called Bonito and on the outskirts of town are rivers that have colourful fish.
Being rivers, there is a constant flow of water happening, meaning that you simply put on your snorkel, fins and suit and float on down the river.
Colourful fish seen while Snorkelling in Bonito
It’s a great way to snorkel. First, the water is normally very clear. Second, the current takes you downstream at a leisurely pace, so you don’t even have to use your flippers. Third, the water is often only about waist deep, so no worries if you’re a poor swimmer.
Super clear water, super fun…river snorkelling!
Don’t expect coral reef type colours and sea-life here, it isn’t known for diversity of creatures. But, what it is known for is the possibility of seeing some special creatures like Anacondas or Caiman (small alligator type animals) in the water!
Here fishy, fishy, fishy…
I failed in spotting any Caiman on my river snorkel, so I had to settle for eating a Caiman steak for dinner instead. It was surprisingly good. Tasted mildly fishy and had a texture more like chicken. Imagine a chicken that ate a fish….that’s what it tasted like.
The clear river waters are surrounded by lush, green forest
