The highlight of last year for me was getting over to Bali, Flores, Rinca, and Komodo islands with my wife in late August. While much of the trip was spent enjoying ourselves we did dedicate quite a bit of time to experiencing the wonderful wildlife of the islands in addition to the amazing culture. While the dry season made it difficult to locate some species it also assisting us in being able to easily locate others. Here’s a summary of our trip and findings. Enjoy.
Upon arriving in Bali we were greeted with an wonderful sunset with hundreds of flying kites.
DSC_1096 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The next day we made our way up to the temple of Uluwatu. Famous for the temple and the world class surfing nearby.
DSC_0966 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Angry monkey. Macaques (Macaca fascicularis)
DSC_0971 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Uluwatu cave entrance to the paddle out.
Uluwatu cave entrance by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The waves didn't dissapoint.
Fun at Uluwatu by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The following day we got up before dawn and caught a flight over to Flores where we hired a boat to make out way over to Komodo island and to see some of the surrounding islands. I highly recommend to anyone going to take your time and enjoy. The islands and reefs surrounding Flores are nothing short of amazing.
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Some of the clearest waters I have ever seen.
P8211112 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Clown fish off of Kelor island.
P8200787 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
After enjoying some water time we headed on to the island of Rinca and were off to find dragons. It being the dry season the vegetation was sparse making looking for Komodo dragons much easier.
Dragon tracks in the sand on the beach.
DSC_1686 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Local deer species which are the main source of food for the Komodo dragons. Sunda sambar (Rusa timorensis)
DSC_1139 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
And then under a tree, there was a whole bunch of them! The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
DSC_1188 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
To say it almost felt too easy would be an understatement. After we enjoyed the shadetree dragon clan we quickly decided to go find some on out in the forest.
Mother guarding her nest.
Mama at the nest by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The claws on these guys were awesome.
DSC_0032 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
After a nice hike we returned to the boat and headed off some where to park the boat for the night and I asked the crew if they had head of this island I had read about nearby the had lots of fruit bats and they said they had and would be happy to take us there. Once the sun begins to set the word was that this island's population of fruit bats takes off to go find something to eat.
While we waited we watched sea eagles dive for fish between other boats.
DSC_1413 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The sunset was nothing short of outstanding.
DSC_1350 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Then came the bats.
Fruit bats welcoming the night by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Photos don't come close to doing this event justice. Thousands of bats took off over about a half hour.
DSC_1523 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Afterwards we parked the boat at a reasonable anchorage for reaching Komodo the next day.
The next morning we rose early and made our way to the island of Komodo. The ocean was very calm which allowed us to view the strange currents around the islands very well.
DSC_1675 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
We also spotted dolphins on the way in.
DSC_1310ed by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
After reaching Komodo and checking in at the local ranger station we headed out into the forest while a huge group of Chinese tourists sat around the station. We were happy to be away from the crowd.
Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). We saw a few of these, but they were surprisingly difficult to photograph even with being so loud.
DSC_1730 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Soon after we found a dragon make its way through the forest.
DSC_1712 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Komodo was quite hot and dry this time of year, but we are from Utah so we're used to this type of thing. I was thankful of the shade though.
DSC_1266 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
We also found a large female out in the forest.
DSC_1740 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
And a Long-Tailed Sun Skink (Eutropis longicaudata)
DSC_1251 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
After a very successful hike we decided to get back underwater again and headed off to more reefs. If you ever have the chance to get out to this incredible place, please, take time to take a peek under the waves. You won't regret it.
P8210939 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
P8210936 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Reef feather star by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
P8221255 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Easily the best reefs I've seen.
P8211175 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Back on dry land we enjoyed the sunbirds and finding some delicious local seafood.
DSC_0717 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Before leaving Flores we had just enough time to check out a local cave system.
DSC_0076 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Mastigoproctus giganteus
DSC_0084 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Back in Bali we enjoyed exploring the east side of the island.
DSC_0133ed by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The bat temple
DSC_0160 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
At which we found our first snake species. An opportunistic reticulated python (Python reticulatus) looking for a bat snack.
DSC_0156 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
We made our way along the coast and up to the Amed region.
Along the way we found several other species including this beautiful skink species.
DSC_0627 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Indian scops owl (Otus bakkamoena)
DSC_0251 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
and a curious little civet in an alley way. Palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
Curious little civet by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Amed was also amazing under the sea.
P8241350 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
We even found bioluminescent jellyfish.
P8241495 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Every morning I got up and watched the chestnut-headed bee-eaters from my balcony (Merops leschenaulti).
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
And everynight I watched the pond frogs. Rice Frog (Fejervarya limnocharis).
DSC_0393 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
After Amed we made our way across the island to Pemuteran.
Along the way we explored the island a bit more.
Rice Terraces
DSC_0668 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Ganesh
DSC_0563 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
A highland lake
DSC_0650 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Bali's tallest waterfall
DSC_0600 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Another wonderfully large skink species. (Eutropis multifasciata) Common Sun Skink
DSC_0298 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Pemuteran Bay
DSC_0719 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
At our hotel we enjoyed the noisy and large tokay geckos (Gekko gecko).
DSC_0690 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Under the water here was also quite good.
P8261555 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Laid back island kitty. I know these guys do a number on local wildlife populations, but this little guy seemed mighty relaxed.
Kitty in paradise by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Eventually we ended up in Ubud. It's Bali and I had heard of the markets up there for decades so we had to go check it out.
On the way we hit Tanah Lot to find banded sea kraits.
DSC_0798 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Tanah Lot (Busy)
DSC_0743 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The country side.
DSC_0902 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0677 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Ubud
DSC_1065 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0928 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
The once great art markets have taken a turn into cheap tourist land.
DSC_0842 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
That said, the surrounding were great and we had a fun time. From our hotel I could watch birds every morning and at night things really turned on.
The closest I have come to getting a decent shot of a kingfisher and Java kingfisher at that, beautiful bird. Java Kingfisher (Halcyon cyanoventris)
DSC_0838ed by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Having looked for snakes the whole time I was beginning to lose faith, but the nights around Ubud and south of Ubud really were very welcoming to us.
(Ahuetella prasina) Vine Snake
DSC_0197 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Ready to strike by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0203 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0271 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
(Boiga cynodon) Dog-toothed cat snake
DSC_0098 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Mangrove cat snake (Boiga Dendrophil).
DSC_0048 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0069 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
My wife found this beautiful little slugeater snake (Pareas carinatus) Ular siput. She then immediately stepped off the side of the hill, rolled down the lower part of it and then into a flooded rice paddy. I stood in disbelief before jumping down there to help. One second she was there, the next..gone. Luckily she was fine and laughing about it. I thought for sure the night was done. I was wrong, she happily got back up the hill and we refound the snake and she took some pictures. We then went on to find 15 more snakes that night.
DSC_0244-001 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
Maned forest lizard (Bronchocela jubata)
DSC_0283 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
(Trimeresurus insularis) White Lipped Green Pit Viper
DSC_0348 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
We found several Painted Bronzebacks (Dendrelaphis pictus)
DSC_0302 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0123 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
(Coelognathus flavolineatus) Yellow Striped Ratsnake
DSC_0314 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
And then one massive white-lipped pit viper to end the night and our trip on a high note.
White-lipped pit viper kind of night by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
DSC_0389 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/138289321@N06/, on Flickr
I hope everyone enjoyed. We will definitely be returning to that magical corner of the world again.
Cheers
Statistics: Posted by Roki — February 26th, 2016, 9:47 pm