The 130-million-year-old rainforest comes alive when the sun goes down
A heavy and humid silence settles over the city at night, yet in the heart of Borneo the darkness is loud. It is filled with the calls of cicadas, katydids and night birds.
Most travellers see the rainforest as a place for daytime visits. They come to watch Orangutans in the canopy or Pygmy Elephants by the river. Those with a macro lens and some patience discover that the real magic begins once a torch is switched on.
The art of herping
Herping, the search for amphibians and reptiles, is an exercise in calm focus. It cannot be rushed. Each step is slow. Each leaf, branch and mossy patch is scanned with care.
Last night the jungle rewarded that patience.
A broad green leaf stood at waist height in the undergrowth. A small shine caught the beam of my torch. It was not the hard glint of a spider’s eyes but the soft, wet reflection of an amphibian.
Meeting the little jungle friend
A tree frog rested on the leaf
The vast dipterocarp forest can make a person feel small. Looking through the viewfinder at this tiny creature made the world feel close instead.
He stayed still, relying on his camouflage. His skin held rusty orange and brown tones that mimicked bark and fallen leaves. Against the bright green leaf he looked like a small jewel. His large eyes gathered what little moonlight there was and reflected the light from my camera.
Why night trekking never disappoints
There is something primal about finding creatures like this. Borneo has around 180 species of frogs, many of which are found only here.
A night trek feels like a lottery. Some nights reveal vipers. Some reveal long stick insects. Some reveal a single quiet frog waiting for its next meal.
Photographing them is its own challenge. Low light, movement and sweat make every shot a test. When the focus lands on those dark eyes and the texture of the skin becomes clear, the effort feels worthwhile.
The micro safari
People often look for the large animals of the rainforest. The smaller world of frogs, beetles and fungi is just as rich and far more colourful.
This little frog is a reminder that wonder in Borneo is not always above you in the trees. Sometimes it sits right in front of you.