Shadows and Gemstones: The Secret Life of Birds in Tropical North Queensland
This devoted pair have feasted so enthusiastically on ripe figs that sticky juice stains their cheeks. Side by side on a leafy perch, they blink slowly at the world below.
Travel Photography
This devoted pair have feasted so enthusiastically on ripe figs that sticky juice stains their cheeks. Side by side on a leafy perch, they blink slowly at the world below.
A coral streak moves along the waterline as a flock of flamingos filters the shallows. When a lone impala steps into the lake, the water fractures and the entire flock erupts into a cloud of pink, crimson and black wings, launching skyward against Mount Kilimanjaro.
Hidden in the cool shade of a fig tree, Sakira watches over six young cubs. She and her sister Samara co-rule this stretch of riverbank, raising three cubs each while constantly defending their territory from the ever-encroaching Rongai Pride.
Hundreds of king penguins stand across the shore, their black backs, white bellies and flashes of orange breaking up the brown earth. The closer we get, the louder it becomes. Calls come from every direction—some deep and trumpet-like, others sharp and insistent.
After an hour of suspense, the jeeps cluster together, buzzing with excitement. There, at the water’s edge, stands the regal tiger queen, Heena, with her two almost-grown cubs.
Seconds later, the tiger spins and sprints back toward our vehicle, casting panicked glances over his shoulder. Then we see what has spooked him: a solitary elephant steps out ahead, his trunk swinging in a heavy rhythm that clears the path.
Beyond the stone walls and historical sagas of chivalry and sacrifice, Rajasthan lives in its details: the sharp scent of spices in narrow alleys, the rhythmic spin of black-swirled Kalbelia dancers around a desert campfire and quiet nights spent on the golden dunes alongside resting camels.
As the setting sun dips low, soft amber light breaks through the rising mist, illuminating cascading silver waterfalls and glowing spray against the emerald karst forest.
There, pacing along the tide line, stood a cassowary and his single striped chick. The wet sand whispered and popped beneath the crush of his heavy, dagger-like claws.
Where the ancient canopy spills into the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, saltwater crocodiles haul onto muddy banks and cassowaries move like shadows through the fan palms.
It is one of the best places on Earth to spot rare, endemic wildlife—from elusive Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos navigating the upper canopy to Victoria’s riflebirds dancing on mossy branches.
We look forward to returning to Lumholtz Lodge. During our last visit, we met Geoffrey, the well-known tree kangaroo featured in photography and wildlife publications worldwide. Tree kangaroos are notoriously …
At sunrise, we take a 45-minute walk around the island. Hundreds of turtle tracks decorate the silky soft sand.
The twin coastal towns of 1770 and Agnes Water sit within 6 km of each other on the Discovery Coast. They are the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef …
Short, stumpy legs squelch through thick, chocolate-brown mud as baby elephants—eyes sparkling with mischief—dart ahead of us along the sanctuary’s winding path. Their playful trumpeting echoes through the air until, …
Whale watching in Hervey Bay is one of Australia’s greatest wildlife experiences. Every winter, thousands of Humpback whales arrive in these calm waters to rest, give birth and nurse their …
A stopover between Indonesia’s national parks became a journey through traditional village life, festivals, and lush landscapes. A few days in Bali let us slow down, trade our telephoto lenses …
Before the gentle winter sun brushes the snow with light, a troop of snow monkeys huddles together, dreaming in the silent, icy forest. As dawn stretches across the sky, they …
Spotting a platypus in the wild is one of Australia’s most iconic wildlife experiences. These shy, elusive animals are notoriously difficult to find, yet at Eungella National Park in Queensland, …
With vibrant culture, ancient history, dramatic landscapes and a world-renowned culinary scene, Peru is a bucket-list destination. Whether you are drawn to the Amazon rainforest canopy, the cobblestone streets of …
As the orange-gold sun smoulders over the glassy surface of the Amazon River, our boat glides slowly back to the lodge, sending ripples across the molten reflection. Throughout the day, …
The quaint village of Ollantaytambo is easily one of our favourite places in Peru. Nestled deep in the Sacred Valley, two imposing Inca ruins overlook a town where the Incas …
Looking for an authentic Andean trekking experience in Peru without the intense crowds of the Classic Inca Trail? The Lares Trek is one of the Sacred Valley’s best-kept secrets. Ten …
Cusco is, without a doubt, one of our favourite cities. At 3,400 metres above sea level in the Peruvian Andes, the former capital of the Incan Empire is a dizzying …
Camping is easily one of the most affordable—and breathtaking—ways to experience the Whitsundays. With 25 jaw-dropping campsites scattered across secluded bays, fringing reefs and eucalyptus woodlands, picking the right spot …
We expected dazzling white silica sands and crystal-clear turquoise water. We didn’t expect to paddle our kayak alongside humpback whales, spot a little clownfish nestled in a purple anemone, or …
Under the moonlit skies of Cape Hillsborough National Park, marine turtles come ashore to lay their eggs on the dark, sandy beach. Flatback, green and loggerhead turtles all nest along …
Tucked into mist-covered mountains and lush rainforest, Eungella National Park is a wildlife haven. Its clear mountain streams offer one of Australia’s best opportunities to spot a platypus, while the …
Thailand is home to some of the last remaining wild Asian elephants—a species far rarer and more endangered than its African counterpart, with estimates suggesting fewer than 3,000 remain in …
Planning a safari to Kenya is exciting, but getting the logistics right makes all the difference. From Maasai warriors dressed in scarlet shukas and pink bands of flamingos wading against …
From watching foster elephant calves roll in the red mud of Ithumba to waking up beside hippo pools in the Masai Mara, Kenya delivers raw up-close wildlife encounters at every …
With her umbilical cord still attached and her little body out of proportion, the newborn blinks her dark chocolate eyes at us, entirely aware of our presence. Her mother bends her long, elegant neck down to lick her baby’s soft, orange-spotted coat tenderly.
From our Masai Mara camp, we watch the baby hippos slosh around in the nursery. Sploosh! Squelch! The adults watch us suspiciously.
Under the scorching African sun in the remote, dusty sanctuary of Ithumba, elephants splash, slide and wallow in the cool mud bath. Anticipating blissful relief from the mid-day heat, the …
Stepping through the gates of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery in Nairobi wasn’t just another stop on our itinerary—it was why we had flown halfway across the world to Kenya. …
Azure lakes shimmer under the sun, beaches stretch to the horizon and ancient rainforests whisper secrets at night. Eerie dingo howls echo through the moonlit darkness. Owooooo. Owooooo. We camp …
Nowhere else on Earth is quite like Fraser Island (K’gari). It’s a wild paradise where you can cruise down endless highways of pure white sand, dive into impossibly clear perched …
Orange, purple, red and yellow hues erupt on the horizon, reflecting on the shore of Cape Hillsborough Beach. Two Eastern grey kangaroos are silhouetted along the water’s edge. They hop …
Local fishing boats bob in quiet bays, framed by towering limestone peaks. At sunrise, the boats glow like soft candles on the water as local fishermen start their day. We …
The Khmer Empire was Southeast Asia’s mightiest power from the 10th to the 13th centuries. Its temples lay slumbering beneath tangled jungle, their secrets untouched until the 19th century, when …
Nestled in the lush rainforest along Black Mountain Road near Kuranda, Queensland, Cassowary House is the regular haunt of two local Southern cassowaries, Dad and Missy. Staying here offers a …
As twilight drapes over Tangkoko National Park, a Spectral tarsier emerges from the secret hollow of a giant fig tree. Its huge amber eyes gleam as it sweeps the tangled …
Picture yourself among granite boulders rising above aquamarine water, with quiet beaches, hidden bays and koalas munching on eucalyptus leaves overhead. Welcome to Magnetic Island, where beautiful coastal scenery meets …
As our boat glides closer to Camp Leakey, two bright orange shapes appear on the wooden jetty ahead. Their vivid orange fur blazes against the lush green backdrop. We can …