Category Archives: Wildlife and Nature

Articles on flora and fauna.

Wildlife and Nature

Getting Buggy in Borneo

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Are there bugs in Borneo? You bet!

They’re not really the scariest looking bugs though, in fact many of them are kind of cool looking, practically cute even. Well, except for the leeches, they’re pretty far from cute or cool…perhaps why I never bothered to get a picture of one.

I sense you’re doubting that some of the bugs of Borneo can be cute. Well, I already posted about visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre, which included an encounter with a very cute, but highly poisonous caterpillar. Then there was that strange, tree canopy bug that I posted about from my Treetop Skywalk post. Maybe that one isn’t so cute, but it’s definitely cool looking.

A Borneo bug
A red and black bug seen on the Silau Trail in Kanbalu Park in Bornoe

 

My favourite bug from Borneo has to be this red and black thing. The way it moved it had a friendly almost hypnotic motion to it, but you often hear that bright colours in nature mean danger, so I dared not touch this little guy, as cool as he looked.

Then there was the bad ass beetle that decided to hang out with us while we slept on the floor in a Iban Longhouse in Borneo. That so-close-to-bugs kind of creeped out a few people, but really, how much harm could a beetle do to you in your sleep? Just because it’s huge and has crazy looking pincher things…

Iban Longhouse Beetle
A badass beetle hanging out in my Iban Longhouse

 

I actually didn’t realize how many different bugs I came across in Borneo until after I came home. It wasn’t like they were everywhere, you did actually have to look for most of them, or when you did see them it was for a short time before they would fly away. So, don’t start thinking that Borneo is a buggy horror movie or something. It’s not like that, but it is a tropical island with plenty of forest, so – ya, there are bugs.

Some bugs in Borneo were similar to ones from home too. Like stick bugs! I saw so many stick bugs in Borneo, especially at Mulu National Park. Now I think it’s almost impossible to be scared of these, I mean they just look like sticks. It’s great camouflage and was a fun game to play walking along in the forest – try to spot the stick bug.

This one was one of the few I came across that was a bit out in the open instead of hiding under a tree leaf or blending into it’s stick and branch surroundings.

Stick bug
A stick bug in Gunung Mulu National Park

 

As for unknown, odd bugs, you see them in Borneo, often fleeting experiences as they fly by or zip away when you get too close. This odd red bug stood still long enough for a picture though. I’m not sure why so many bugs in Borneo seemed to have some kind of red colour to them, but it definitely makes them look cool…and this one has a bit of cuteness to it, right?

Little red bug
A little red bug in Borneo, seen in Mulu National Park

 

Now there was also a giant flying locust or something in our dorm room at the Mulu Park headquarters. For some time it was living on the wall near my bed and was about the size of a gecko, but with wings. You could hear it’s wings flap when it took off and landed -bzzzzzt. It was a bit on the creepy side, but still cool as I’d never seen a grasshopper-y, locust-y thing that big before even in the Caribbean or Africa.

Speaking of creepy, any bug post wouldn’t be complete without at least one kind of creepy bug photo right?

So, how about a millipede? But not a big black one or ugly brown one. No, how about a cool, skinny, long millipede that comes with awesome orange legs and a red/black stripey body? Oh ya, this one looks cool for sure, but I didn’t touch it either. Although, you do have to watch where you put your hands when walking around in the forests as the bugs and insects of Borneo do like to hang out on railings and board walks!

Millipede in Borneo
A millipede-like creepy bug in Borneo

 

 

Wildlife and Nature

Waking up Bundala

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Imagine having an entire National Park all to yourself.

My friend and I arrived early, before sunrise, at Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka and were greeted at the entrance. After paying our park fee, locating a driver, park guide and hopping into their safari truck, we were on our way – well almost.

Elephant in Bundala National Park
Admiring an Elephant during sunrise in Bundala National Park

 

We had gotten up early for a morning of wildlife and bird watching in Bundala. We had been told that elephants, deer, crocodiles and a huge variety of bird life call this park home, in total almost 200 species of birds use this park as a migratory stopover. It was a quiet morning, still very early. Misty and cool. The perfect time of day for exploring and photography. But when our Jeep arrived at the park checkpoint, to start our official safari, there was no guard to be seen. We had no way to get through the checkpoint!

Waking up Bundala
Waking up Bundala – the sun rising above the park in Sri Lanka

 

Finally, after searching all the nearby buildings and gatehouses, we stumbled across a sleeping park worker – the gatekeeper. It seems that they hadn’t been getting many visitors recently, or perhaps he had just been out a little too late the night before?

Stumbling to his feet, he checked our permit and let us by…I’m pretty sure he fell asleep again as soon as we passed by.

Land Monitor in Bundala
A Land Monitor getting some sun on a tree branch in Bundala National Park

 

It was kind of exciting, knowing we were the first people to be entering the park that day. An entire National Park all for us! Waking up the workers is one thing, but watching the park wildlife come to life was even better.

For the next 2.5 hours we rode along the bumpy dirt roads in the park, stopping to watch land monitors and crocodiles sunning themselves in the early morning light and watching peacocks flutter about and colourful birds wading in the marshy waters of the park. Monkeys slowly became active and around every new corner, animals started appearing out of nowhere – as if they didn’t expect any visitors to see them this early in the morning.

Buffalo and Birds in Bundala
An early morning scene – Buffalo and birds in Bundala National Park

 

We would turn one corner and be greeted by quiet, majestic elephants grazing on the tasty grasses of the park. A few minutes later there would be a troupe of monkeys lazily waking up and grooming each other in some trees.

It kind of felt like a scene out of the Jungle Book, where animals reigned supreme. Without any other safari vehicles in sight, it was easy to forget that towns and villages were nearby, just beyond the visible horizon.

Hanuman Langurs in Bundala National Park
Hanuman Langurs enjoying the morning sun in Bundala National Park

 

We passed by one other person in the entire park. A local farmer on the edge of the park who lived off the land and let his cattle graze here.

As the journey came to an end, we drove back past the gatekeeper and to the park entrance. Only then, did we seem one other safari vehicle loaded up with travellers. It seemed that it was their turn to have the park all to themselves.

Bundala National Park - Coastline
Coastline scenery of Bundala National Park in Sri Lanka

 

 

Wildlife and Nature

Nikolskoye Village and the Easternmost Church in Russia

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The Commander Islands…quite possibly a destination you’ve never heard of. On a map, follow the Aleutian Islands from Alaska all the way across to Russia and the closest islands to Russia are actually the Commander Islands.

Rusty Ship at Nikolskoye Village
A Rusty Ship at Nikolskoye Village, the only permanent settlement in the Russian Commander Islands

 

These Russian Islands, almost 200km off the coast of Far East Russia, are a protected marine area. The village of Nikolskoye, on Bering Island, is home to 800 people. This is the only permanent settlement on the islands, which are prone to severe weather, including earthquakes. There are no trees on the islands – it’s quite a desolate looking part of the world.

Nikolskoye Village, Russia
A home in Nikolskoye Village on Bering Island – Far East Russia

 

This is a place that survives on fishing and was only just escaping the icy grip of winter at the end of May. Not many people visit here, but the wildlife draws some adventurous people who are on the lookout for northern fur seals, sea otters and Steller sea lions.

Nikolskoye Village on Bering Island
Nikolskoye Village on Bering Island in Russia. The blue building is the museum.

 

Russia recently went on an improvement spree here, painting and fixing up some old buildings, building a new church for the village and creating a lookout honouring Vitus Bering, whose ship, St. Peter, wrecked here in 1741.

The church officially opened in October and took about two years to build. It is actually the easternmost Orthodox church in Russia!

Easternmost Church in Russia
Building the Easternmost Orthodox Church in Russia, on Bering Island

 

As a visitor, the island museum was entertaining too. They had a skeleton of an extinct species of sea cow that was once very common in the area, as well as a good amount of displays showcasing the natural history of the islands.

Nikolskoye Village Museum
Nikolskoye Village Museum on Bering Island, Far East Russia

 

The lady who takes care of the museum was quite friendly and gave us some insights into local life on the islands as well – such as her favourite meal being puffin soup with lots of blood in it!

Wildlife and Nature

A Treetop Skywalk in Borneo

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High up in the trees of Borneo, above the flying birds and climbing monkeys, is the most impressive Canopy Walk I’ve taken.

Trees are BIG in Borneo!
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 Canopy Skywalk in Mulu
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.

Tree Canopy Walk in Borneo
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!

Canopy Skywalk - Big Tree
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.

An Odd Bug in the 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
Walkway in the Canopy at Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo

 

Wildlife and Nature

River Snorkelling in Bonito, Brazil

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Have you ever gone snorkelling? How about snorkelling in perfectly clear river water?

Getting ready to River Snorkel!
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.

Snorkelling in Bonito
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.

Clear water snorkelling in a River
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!

Fish in the RIver
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.

Lush forest surrounds the river
The clear river waters are surrounded by lush, green forest