Borneo: Spring '06

Chris visited the island of Borneo to photograph orang utan in March 2006, while working on a book project. His web diary reveals the trials, tribulations and successes of life in the jungle.

Like busses

4th April 2006

Another great day in the field. We kept to the river and spied a female with a baby and another youngster in the canopy. I keep to the boat, not wanting to stress the mother, using the long telephoto lens mounted on the tripod. Even so, photography isn't easy with the rippling water rocking the boat from side to side.

Sepilok

5th April 2006

After the effort of searching for and photographing orang utan in the wild, Sepilok makes for a less-strenuous and less-stressful day. I have three days photographing the orang utans that live wild in the reserve but twice daily head for a feeding platform accessible from a boardwalk. Although the sensation of photographing habituated animals is less intense than photographing then in the wild, it's a great opportunity to capture images that would otherwise be impossible.

Homeward bound

8th April 2006

I always get a feeling of sadness when an assignment is over - a little like the feeling of emptiness when finishing a great novel that you couldn't put down. But the bags are packed and I'm awaiting my ride to Sandakan airport for the first leg in a three-leg journey home.

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Photo Safaris