Wildlife of S. E. Asia and S. America. A Photo Journal by Francis Burlingham.: 2024

Introduction

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to live in Thailand, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Colombia and now Brunei. In my spare time I have had the opportunity to travel fairly widely, camera in hand, in search of wildlife. In these posts I aim to share some of these experiences and show you some of the extraordinary wildlife that can be found in these regions. All of the photographs you see within the posts and pages here are my own unless otherwise stated. Copyright © Francis Burlingham 2015

Friday, 28 June 2024

Hic Sunt Dracones

Here there be dragons!

A few weekends ago I headed to Lagan Lalak and the Labi area to do a bit of exploring. Whilst walking up to Wasai Kong Kadir I came across this beautiful Bornean Forest Dragon. With its magnificent crest it does look like a miniature dragon.

Gonocephalus borneensis (Borneo Anglehead Lizard) Labi Brunei

The waterfall is a popular spot for a swim surrounded by the jungle.

Wasai Wong Kadir

Lagan Lalak Brunei

The Lalak lake is a black water lake that is allegedly home to crocodiles. However I saw none during my visit. I regularly see crocodiles however, in the rivers of Bandar. This one looked particularly dragon like as it rested at the waters edge.

Crocodylus porosus (Salt water crocodile) Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei

Brunei is host to a number of dragon like reptiles. The other ubiquitous dragon is the Asian water monitor lizard. Here photographed swinging in the river at the Tasek Lama park.

Varanus salvator (Water Monitor) Tasek Lama Brunei

Another lizard that I encountered in Temburong National Park.

Bronchocela cristatella (GreenCrested Lizard) Temburong NP Brunei

This garden fence lizard is common in parks and gardens. This one was photographed hiding behind a tree trunk at Bukit Shahbandar.

Calotes versicolor Bukit Shahbandar Brunei

Whist walking at Bukit Shahbandar I also found this bronze back snake which moved quickly through a palm.

Dendrelaphis caudolineatus(Striped bronzeback snake) Brunei

This pair of bee eaters were also at Bukit Shahbandar.

Merops viridis (Blue throated bee eater Bukit Shahbandar Brunei

Saturday, 24 February 2024

Living in a Rainforest, Crocodiles, Cobras and Lizards.

Living in Brunei has the advantage of being surrounded by forests. Because of this wildlife is easily seen if you know what to look for. My house is next to a forested area and as a result my garden sees plenty of wildlife. Virgin rainforest is les than an hours drive away in Temburong National Park. Even a trip to the supermarket can involve wildlife and the river next to the Supasave supermarket is home to a number of crocodiles of different sizes, pictured below.

Crocodylus porosus (Salt water crocodile) Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei

This night heron patrols the same river and is part of a nesting colony at the site.

Nycticorax caledonicus (Night Heron Juvenile)

Monitor lizards are a familiar site in Brunei and patrol both the river bank with the crocodiles and my garden.

Varanus salvator (Water monitor lizard) Brunei

Varanus salvator (Water monitor lizard) Brunei in my garden.

I have seen a few snakes in and around my garden. This cobra was hunting a monitor lizard that lives in drain near my front door. It was very active, moving swiftly in search of its prey. I managed to grab my camera and get these quick shots before it left.

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra) Bandar Brunei

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra)

My garden Bandar Brunei

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra) Bandar Brunei

There are plenty of other reptiles that can regularly be seen. These many garden fence lizards are particularly common and live in the plants around my garden.