The gibbon sat in a tree, gazing out across the turbid waters, its long, sinuous limbs somehow more graceful than gangly. It was the black variant of the endemic Bornean gibbon, and a magnificent specimen. As our guide manoeuvred the small boat to give us better views of one of Borneo's most iconic primates, I took a second to look around at my three teenage … [Read more...] about Kinabatangan — an incredible Borneo wildlife experience
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Gibbons from the infinity pool #IWOnTour
I'd popped back to the room to get something and was taking my time, enjoying the cool of the air con after the sweltering mid-morning heat of Thailand's West Coast. Suddenly my youngest burst into the room."Dad, come quick mum's watching gibbons from the swimming pool."Now there's a line you don't hear every day. I grabbed the two pairs of binoculars I have with me on … [Read more...] about Gibbons from the infinity pool #IWOnTour
Australia’s “Top End”: a wetland wildlife wonderland
Awe, tempered with a healthy dose of apprehension. That's the only way to describe a close encounter with a large saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).Saltwater or estuarine crocodiles, or plain old "Salties" as they're called in local vernacular, are the largest reptile species on earth, with males routinely exceeding 4 metres in length, and some specimens reaching … [Read more...] about Australia’s “Top End”: a wetland wildlife wonderland
Humpback heaven in Kalbarri, Western Australia
“Get ready to hold on,” skipper Ayden Curic yelled from the bridge as he gunned the engines and the boat surged into the aquatic maelstrom. At the point where Western Australia's second largest river, the Murchison, collides with the crashing breakers of the Indian ocean sits the quiet little town of Kalbarri. It is gateway to the eponymous and spectacular Kalbarri National … [Read more...] about Humpback heaven in Kalbarri, Western Australia
Wildlife watching and travel — back to basics
Watching wildlife when travelling can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be challenging. In this feature IW Founder, Calvin Jones, takes a look at some of those challenges, and how you can overcome them on your next wildlife trip. For any wildlife enthusiast one of the real highlights of travelling has to be the opportunity to see new things. … [Read more...] about Wildlife watching and travel — back to basics
#IWOnTour Wildlife Gear run-down.
What wildlife gear do you take with you when you're heading off on a four month trip, and you have to travel light?That was the conundrum I faced a few weeks ago when packing for our extended trip to Australia and Southeast Asia. After much deliberation I finally had my gear bag packed... here's a quick run down of what made the cut in the end.(If you'd like to keep up … [Read more...] about #IWOnTour Wildlife Gear run-down.
Thrombolites: Lake Clifton’s living fossils
Thrombolites are amazing structures. Along with their close relatives stromatolites, these ancient bacterial colonies are ancestors of the very first life forms to exist on earth, and the hard calcareous deposits created by these colonies are bizarre. It's actually quite humbling to stand alongside these living relics.These thrombolites are on the shores of Lake … [Read more...] about Thrombolites: Lake Clifton’s living fossils
Endeavor EDII: Vanguard launches new flagship binocular
Vanguard is bolstering its range of high-performance sports optics with a new flagship binocular model. The Vanguard Endeavor EDII is an upgrade to the Chinese manufacturer's already impressive Endeavor ED. On the face of things the EDII looks very similar to its sibling, but utilises premium optical components that promise to deliver even better performance.The main … [Read more...] about Endeavor EDII: Vanguard launches new flagship binocular
What a splendid little blue wren!
When you travel you see amazing things. Things so far removed from your normal everyday experiences that you have to do a double-take and stop in awe.Sometimes they are big things... other times they can be very small. Today's jaw-dropping experience was tiny... and blue... oh so very, very blue.It was a little blue bird which, with that typical Aussie panache for gross … [Read more...] about What a splendid little blue wren!
Ireland’s Wildlife On Tour #IWOnTour
Well we're certainly not in Ireland any more!Greetings from Mandurah, just south of Perth in Western Australia... and the starting point of our epic #IWOnTour journey around Australia and parts of Southeast Asia. Over the next four months or so we'll be bringing you regular updates of the amazing wildlife we encounter during the trip and some of the wild people we meet and … [Read more...] about Ireland’s Wildlife On Tour #IWOnTour
