Wildlife of S. E. Asia and S. America. A Photo Journal by Francis Burlingham.: 2026

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

Thursday, 14 May 2026

The Teraja Waterfalls of Labi, Brunei

One of my favourite places to walk in Brunei is along the river and numerous waterfalls beyond the Teraja longhouse in Labi. It takes a good 1hour 40mins from Bandar to get there but it is worth the effort.

I always find butterflies here worth photographing.

Losaria neptunus, (Yellow Bodied Clubtail) Teraja Labi Brunei

The river here runs over sandstone rather than the clays nearer the capital and as a result the river is clear with a sandy bottom with many waterfalls creating pools that are perfect for a swim.

Upper Teraja Waterfall

The first and main waterfall has a large deep pool at the base and over the last year has had a couple of large logs wash over it, providing a fun place to jump off.

The main Teraja Waterfall

There are often swiftlets wheeling over the pool in search of insects and they occasionally skim the water surface to drink.

Swiftlet drinking

The forest here is teaming with life and is the only place in Brunei where I have seen red leaf monkeys, although sadly I am yet to get a photograph. There are plenty of frogs here and the black spotted rock skipper is common in the upper reaches of the river.

Black-spotted Rock Skipper (Staurois guttatus).

This frog was resting on a wild banana leaf but was being plagued by mosquitoes, three of which are in this picture.

Chalcorana raniceps (Copper cheeked frog) with hungry mosquitoes

There are always plenty of butterflies and one of the highlights are the tree nymphs, giant butterflies that seem to float like paper on the wind. I haven’t quite worked out which of two very similar species this one is yet. Either Idea lynceus(Malayan Giant Tree Nymph) or Idea stolli (Comnon Tree Nymph).

(Tree Nymph) Wasai Teraja Brunei

A Jay butterfly extracting mineral salts and excreting the excess water.

Graphium evemon (Lesser Jay)

This group of swordtails seemed to be attracted by the colour of the plastic bag that had been dropped near the start of the trail.

Graphium antiphates (Five Bar Swordtail)

Here are few of the other butterflies that I have encountered.

Neorina lowii (Malayan Owl)

Paralaxita telesia (Comon Red Harlequin)

Thaumantis odana pishuna (Malayan Jungle Glory)

This ground orchid is particularly common here covering large areas of the forest floor near the trail.

Plocoglottis plicata (Ground Orchid) Teraja Labi Brunei

This serpent crested eagle was on the wires by the road to the longhouse.

Spilornis cheela (Crested Serpent Eagle)

I have seen plenty of different birds including groups of different hornbill species that I have yet to photograph. I took this picture of a pied hornbill at Luagan Lalak on the way back from my last visit.

Anthracoceros albirostris (Oriental Pied Hornbill)

Some more of the Teraja waterfalls.

Teraja Waterfall

One log left at the main fall.

The main waterfall pool from above.

A pair of lantern bugs near the longhouse

Monday, 6 April 2026

Return of the Equitorial Spitting Cobra

The spitting cobra was back in my garden at the weekend and is now a regular visitor it seems. For the first time I managed to watch it without it seeing me, whilst it hunted amongst the leaf litter of the flower beds.

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra) Brunei Borneo

The cobra was hunting for the lizards and frogs that have now become common in my garden. Such as these which I photographed recently.

Calotes versicolor (Garden Fence Lizard) Brunei Borneo

Polypedates leucomystax (Common Tree Frog) Brunei

I watched the cobra for about five minutes until it eventually noticed me and beat a hasty retreat into the undergrowth.

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra) Brunei Borneo

Calotes versicolor (Garden Fence Lizard) Brunei Borneo

Naja sumatrana (Equitorial spitting cobra) Brunei Borneo

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Proboscis Monkeys and Other Recent Brunei Wildlife Encounters.

The proboscis monkey is one of the most iconic Bornean animals, living nowhere else on the planet. I have seen them a few times along the riverbanks and mangroves, and I recently came across them near the Abode resort in Temburong. As always, they were very shy, disappearing into the thicker foliage when they spotted me, so I was pleased to be able to get these shots.