Reflections, Babies, and a Washout

We started the day bright and early, greeted by the calm of the river and the promise of adventure ahead. Our first sighting was a proboscis monkey baby,  wide-eyed, clinging tightly to its mother. Soon after, a young three-year-old orangutan appeared, happily munching on rasau fruit, completely at ease in his treetop perch.

As we cruised toward Camp Leakey, the river shifted color,  from sandy beige to deep black,  a change caused by the absence of sediment from gold mines. Along the way, we spotted a rare turtle perfectly balanced on a log, motionless but watchful.

By the time we reached Camp Leakey, the skies opened up. Heavy rain poured for hours, washing out the afternoon feeding and silencing the forest. No orangutans ventured out, but even a rain-soaked day here feels magical, full of quiet reflection and the rhythm of life in the wild.

Check out my mobile album for photos and short clips from the day! (Photos also contributed by my son Vinay)