Recent Photos Gallery - August 2019

On a clear day, you can see the summit of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo’s Crocker Range and Malaysia’s highest peak at 13,435 feet. On lovely forest trails here, our Borneo tour seeks some of Asia’s most momentous birds. Thanks to participant James Moore for our introductory image for the August 2019 Recent Photos Gallery!

Kinabalu’s magical forested slopes are often shrouded in cloud, which gives birding at times an otherworldly feel. Such it was when our group, guided by Dave Stejskal, found this male Whitehead’s Trogon in the mists—one of the “holy trinity” of birds here, Whitehead’s Broadbill and Whitehead’s Spiderhunter being the other two members. (Photo by James Moore.)

Whitehead’s Spiderhunter! This is generally the most difficult of the trinity to find, as it travels over a wide area in the mountains, traplining between flowers. Its odd calls, sounding rather like Jamaican Blackbird, are usually the first indication of its presence. (Photo by James Moore.)

Although many of Borneo’s birds are stunning in both color and form, many birds of the mountains are more subtly plumaged, such as this Sunda Laughingthrush, one of three species of laughingthrush found on Kinabalu. The sometimes difficult Bare-headed Laughingthrush has an unfeathered head as an adult, yet another of the marvelous evolutionary eccentricities of this island. (Photo by James Moore.)

In between Kinabalu National Park and the lowland areas, our group spent a full morning birding the middle elevations of the Crocker Range, where special birds like Blyth’s Hawk-Eagle, Mountain Barbet, Bornean Barbet, and Mountain Blackeye (here) make their home. This is a difficult species to photograph! (Photo by James Moore.)

Near the coast, based in a comfortable lodge in Sukau, our group ventured out by boat multiple times to see marvelous animals such as Proboscis Monkey, Orangutan, and Bornean Pygmy Elephant, as well as a boatload of birds, both during the day and at night. On the Kinabatangan and the Menanggol (here) rivers, we look for gems like Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, Rhinoceros Hornbill, and Long-tailed Parakeet. (Photo by participant John Keith.)

One of the world’s most endangered storks, a Storm’s Stork has caught a crayfish for lunch. Fewer than 500 Storm’s Storks exist on Earth, and the Kinabatangan River is the best place to see them. (Photo by James Moore.)

On a tour with many showy kingfishers (up to 10), there are several shy ones, such as this petite Blue-eared Kingfisher, usually first detected by its subtle vocalizations. The immature in this species lacks the blue auriculars. (Photo by James Moore.)

At night, in addition to seeking out Oriental Bay-Owl, Brown Wood Owl, and Large Frogmouth by boat, we usually see one or more Buffy Fish-Owls on the hunt at the edge of the tributaries. (Photo by James Moore.)

Blue-headed Pitta is a glorious Asian bird—and one that occasionally pops into the open in Borneo, unlike some of the shier species. With luck, our groups see and hear another five or six species during the tour. (Photo by James Moore.)

Tiny Buff-rumped Woodpeckers are among the more common and conspicuous of the dozen woodpecker species we seek in Borneo. They seem to have no fear of people and almost appear curious about photographers at times. (Photo by James Moore.)

Evolution in overdrive: this female trilobite beetle (Platerodrilus paradoxus, family Lycidae) was along a muddy trail through the forest. In this species, males look pretty much like normal beetles and stay relatively small, whereas females retain this form—a larval form—and grow quite large, almost 3 inches! (Photo by James Moore.)

With Bornean Bristlehead, Great Argus, and Bornean Banded Pitta, the Helmeted Hornbill is among the most sought-after birds in foothills and lowlands of Borneo's Danum Valley. This male was probably taking food back to the the female, immured in the nest cavity but fed through a small hole. Sadly, this species is now critically endangered, hunted for its dense bill casque. (Photo by James Moore.)

What is a Sunda Colugo, you ask? Well, it is one of two species of colugo, the last living members of the family Cynocephalidae. These arboreal animals, the closest relatives of primates, glide between trees like flying squirrels, using the membranes of skin that connect their limbs and tail—often with a baby clinging to the belly! (Photo by James Moore.)

One of the few creatures that can be located by scent is this tiny Horsfield’s Tarsier, which uses its foul-smelling urine to mark its territory. These fascinating creatures leap around vines so rapidly that their movements can be difficult to track with the human eye, especially when they are feeding actively at night. Their reflexes are fast enough to snatch flying bats and birds from the air. Tarsiers are in the same primate suborder (Haplorhini, the dry-nosed primates) as humans, monkeys, and apes. The other suborder (Strepsirrhini, the wet-nosed primates) includes the lemurs, bushbabies, pottos, and lorises. (Photo by James Moore.)

The bird’s-eye view of Puerto Maldonado, Peru, at the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers, signals that we have left Borneo for the New World, our Peruvian Rainforests of the Tambopata tour, with guide Jesse Fagan. (Photo by participant Dorothy Paul.)

But let’s back up. Before the group even reached the Tambopata River, they had a date with a special bird that only inhabits Guadua bamboo thickets in a very small area of Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil. Here guide Jesse Fagan signals the group's success in the Forestal Otorongo! (Photo by participant Miles Paul.)

The quarry: Rufous Twistwing! Has any birding tour group seen this bird before? It was recognized as a species new to science in 2002, when Dan Lane found a specimen in a collection and knew it was something undescribed. Many years of work culminated in publication of the formal scientific description: Cnipodectes superrufus. For this tour, guide Jesse Fagan spent days making trails and listening for its humble vocalization, in hopes of adding this bird to the already amazing Tambopata tour. Isn’t it nice when things work out? Okay, we now return you to the regularly scheduled tour….. (Photo by participant Charlotte Byers.)

We really appreciate seeing nice photos of our lodgings! Here is Refugio Amazonas Lodge, with most of the comforts of home deep in the rainforest. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

In areas where not hunted, large cracids like this Spix’s Guan can be remarkably tame. In an environment that poses multiple challenges for photographers, we all appreciate the occasional low-hanging frugivore. (Photo by participant Bill Byers.)

Sunrise on the Tambopata River. What will we see on this amazing river today? (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

Among the most easily identified of a cryptic family, the attractive Sand-colored Nighthawk often hangs out on sandbars in rivers during the day, making it among the more cooperative members of its mostly nocturnal family as well. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

Looking like a cross between a big tern and a skimmer, Large-billed Tern also has the beautiful tricolor upperwing pattern that reminds us of Sabine’s Gull and Swallow-tailed Gull. This species is found mostly in lowland rivers of South America, but one wandered to Hackensack, New Jersey in 1988! (Photo by Bill Byers.)

Also lovers of riparian environments, Hoatzins are birds we never tire of studying for long periods. Their odd calls, wide-eyed interest in human activities, and artless clambering around branches as they search for fresh leaves to eat make them almost monkeylike. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

Slightly less cuddly, but often interesting to observe in action, White Caimans are one of four caiman species that prowl the Tambopata. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

A huge highlight of our time on the river is a visit to the clay lick (ccolpa), near Chuncho, Peru, which hosts many dozens of macaws and parrots each afternoon. These Red-and-green Macaws all seemed to have a different approach to eating this mineral-rich clay, some suspended upside down from branches, others clinging to the cliffs as they dug in. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

We could certainly stop now. That would be a great tour already. But the hits just kept coming for Jesse and his group! This male Golden-collared Toucanet posed beautifully ...

... as did the bird’s mate, which has a remarkably different plumage, less striking but very beautiful. (Photos by Bill Byers.)

Rainforest birding can feel like work at times, when the birds don’t just pop out into perfect light on a branch. Indeed, much of the time, birding here requires patience, equilibrium, and stamina. But persevere they did, and even Jesse saw a long-overdue new bird: Rufous-vented Ground-Cuckoo! Sorry we don’t have a photo, but everyone was too busy enjoying the bird this time… (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

Antbirds can challenge equilibrium, even in experienced birders. But they’re worth the effort! Those that pose like this are victories, whether adorned with odd plumes or bare skin—or just named in such a way that they can be easily identified. This mercifully named White-browed Antbird played hide-and-seek for a bit but decided to perch just long enough for a portrait. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

And then, sometimes, the rainforest just comes to you. Pale-winged Trumpeters usually scurry away from humans before we see them, but in protected areas, they can be quite approachable. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

For every two antbirds and four flycatchers, there is a bird like Band-tailed Manakin that will knock your socks off. And of course, for birders who fall in love with rainforest, the antbirds’ voices and habits become lifelong passion projects. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

Over most of Amazonia, seeing a Razor-billed Curassow would be a red-letter day, as they are widely hunted and have become quite scarce. The national park established along this part of the Tambopata River ensures that birders have a chance to see megafauna like this unusual species. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

This was perhaps not the first time this Emperor Tamarin had seen a camera: he decided to have a good scratch as he waited for the shutter to stop. Named for their resemblance to German emperor Wilhelm II, these monkeys eat mostly flowers, fruit, and sap, which can make a mess of their whiskers. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

After birding intently around the Refugio Amazonas Lodge, our group moved upriver some six hours to the Tambopata Research Center. Out for an evening spin by boat, with hopes for a jaguar or a tapir, they came around a corner and saw a massive commotion: a raptor in pursuit of what looked like a brown football! The raptor turned out to be a very rare Gray-bellied Hawk (or Goshawk), its prey an Undulated Tinamou. The group watched for a half hour as the hawk plucked and consumed its meal. (Photo by Bill Byers.)

Many people who have spent years in primary lowland rainforest in South America have yet to lay eyes on a Gray-bellied Hawk. Let us just say: the bartender at the lodge did well that night. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

And so another Peruvian expedition wrapped up! Here Jesse (known as the Motmot), poses with excellent local guides Jair (at left) and Fernando before setting sail back home to Lima. (Photo by Charlotte Byers.)

The soft savanna colors behind this fetching Lilac-breasted Roller tell us that we have left the warm closeness of the jungle. Wild Kenya: A Tented Camp Safari is a small-group experience with the dean of eastern African birding, Terry Stevenson, who took this image and those that follow. Glamping? Well, we don't use that term, but we don't mind if participants do!

Among countless hundreds of thousands of Wildebeest at the magnificent Masai Mara reserve, this Cattle Egret may have felt overwhelmed by options. In East Africa, the subspecies albojubatus (Blue Wildebeest) makes an annual migration into this area to graze on grasses that have grown during the rainy season. Here too are many of the signature mammals of the African plains—elephants, lions, warthogs, hyenas, giraffes, zebras. And the group camped right in the middle of this amazing gathering of life.

It is something special when a local person comes out to greet you and share a coffee when you arrive in a new place. Here a Maasai man came with greetings in Maa (their language), Kiswahili, and English. Roughing it? A little, but the specially modified 4x4 Landcruiser did have a refrigerator (and on-board wifi...).

African Bush Elephant is a truly remarkable animal. Unlike in Asian Elephant, both sexes grow long tusks, which they use for defense, attack, lifting objects, gathering food, stripping bark from trees, and for digging holes in riverbeds during the dry season.

Samburu, to the north of Nairobi, was one of the safari's many high points. Before our group had even reached their camp, they had seen three young Cheetahs and a young Leopard! Over 150 elephants and plenty of Grevy's Zebras and Gerenuks also put in daily appearances. A group favorite was this herd of Reticulated Giraffes.

One of the most beloved antelopes of Terry's Kenya tours (and also his Ethiopia tour), Beisa Oryx shows an intricate and elegant facial and flank pattern. Birding was splendid in Samburu as well, with superb Somali Ostrich, Vulturine Guineafowl, Black-faced Sandgrouse, White-bellied Bustard, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Hooded Vulture, Violet Woodhoopoe, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Pygmy Falcon, and Rosy-patched Bushshrike.

Once considered a subspecies of Cream-colored Courser, Somali Courser is shorter-winged, more curve-billed, and a bit more richly colored, befitting its savanna habitat. This bird at Samburu cooperated nicely, as so many birds of this habitat do.

Although many savanna birds at Samburu are exceptionally well camouflaged, others clearly refuse to blend in, such as this Red-and-yellow Barbet.

In many parts of Africa, photographing people—and especially their prized camel herds—requires some negotiation. This herdsman at Samburu was happy to oblige, as were his Dromedaries.

On the last day at Samburu, our group managed to connect with an adult Cheetah out watching for prey (under the attentive gaze of a Grevy's Zebra in background).

The Lake Nakuru region also produced wonders, such as this placidly grazing family of White Rhinoceros among a herd of African Buffalo, with the even rarer Rothschild's Giraffes nearby. The Kiswahili word "safari" means "journey," and standing with these remarkable animals is itself an amazing journey.

After a fine morning afield in some of the world's greatest wilderness, what better than to toast the experience with a spot of beer at lunchtime? Participant Rachel Sa and guide Terry Stevenson take a well-earned break. (Many thanks for the photo, Rachel!)

"A little bit left....yes, right there...." This Marine Iguana seems to appreciate the attention of this Lava Lizard in (yes, you guessed correctly) our second Galapagos tour of the summer, guided by Willy Perez, who took this image and those that follow.