Raja Ampat - Day 3

Off at 4:30am, we struggled in the dark on steep muddy paths in the forest. We settled in the small hide, the dawn chorus rising in intensity. The dream of my life was about to come true....

 
After a long wait, finally a male appeared and landed on a perch, unfortunately obscured by foliage in front. I hold my breath, finger on the shutter. A plane from the nearby airstrip takes off noisily. Off goes my bird-of-paradise, spooked. We waited several more hours but he was never to be seen again.

 
And the final cruel crush? We are told that in August, when cruise liners come, there are about 50 people in the hide and the bird could not care less, it comes right in front of the cruise people...

Our spirits improved when we saw the extraordinary sailfin lizard - a cross between a marlin and a goanna it seemed - on our way out.

Our car also ended up bogged, and finally, I have just discovered a tick on my back.

Still, it was a great day of adventures in the Papuan forest.

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Raja Ampat, Waigeo Island, Indonesia, Fin-tailed Lizard, Hornbill, Bird Hide, Bogged Car