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Borneo Bootcamp Tawau 2015 Day 4

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27 June 2015

Borneo Bootcamp 2015: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

On day 4 of the Borneo Bootcamp, we ventured further beyond the wobbly suspension bridge. While we went at a slower pace in the day with a longer afternoon break, the night was bustling with activity when we explored yet another trail with surprises galore!

    DSC00359
  1. Rise and shine!

    Where’s everybody? Nobody’s in their rooms… out to shoot already?!

  2. Spiny orb weaver (Gasteracantha sp.) - DSC_5311
  3. Spiny orb weaver (Gasteracantha sp.)

    Wasted no time and found a spiny orb weaver near to our cabins.

  4. Jumping spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5314
  5. Jumping spider (Salticidae)

    A more mature specimen of the jumping spider that liked to lift up its abdomen.

  6. Comb-footed spider (Theridion sp.) - DSC_5323
  7. Comb-footed spider (Theridion sp.)

    The “clown face” is visible only from the posterior view of the abdomen. The spider was faithfully guarding her egg sac. Showed it to several participants who managed to get this angle as well.

  8. Moth-like planthopper (Ricaniidae) - DSC_5326
  9. Moth-like planthopper (Ricaniidae)

    Several different species of ricaniids found so far.

  10. DSC00361
  11. Everyone getting busy

    We spent a lot of time along this stretch of the trail, with everyone rotating and sharing our finds.

  12. Trashline orb weaver (Cyclosa sp.) - DSC_5328
  13. Trashline orb weaver (Cyclosa sp.)

    Off the trail, we found a classic example of a trashline orb weaver with the “trashline” extending from the spider’s body.

  14. Trashline orb weaver (Cyclosa sp.) - DSC_5328b
  15. Trashline orb weaver (Cyclosa sp.)

    Closer view of the spider’s trash. Guess what it is made of? 🙂

  16. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)
  17. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) ©2015 Tom Astle

    Tom had a lovely shot of what looked like a female great anglehead lizard with an ant running by on her head!

  18. Assassin bug nymph (Reduviidae) - DSC_5337
  19. Assassin bug nymph (Reduviidae)

    Possibly an assassin bug nymph, with pale innocent colours.

  20. Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon) - DSC_5343
  21. Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon)

    There were trails of fish hook ants marching up and down some tree trunks. Occasionally, we could find some at rest.

  22. Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon) - DSC_5354
  23. Fish hook ant (Polyrhachis ypsilon)

    Stood still enough for us to take a few decent shots!

  24. Net-winged beetle (Lycidae)
  25. Net-winged beetle (Lycidae) © Seawei Ying

    Seawei got a net-winged beetle adjusting its wings for take off.

  26. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5372
  27. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    From a distance, this looked like a random plain picture. Have you found the katydid yet? Interestingly, quite a few thought that they saw a lizard or cicada when I first shared this shot on Facebook.

  28. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5373
  29. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    Closer view reveals a little bit more of the katydid.

  30. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5368
  31. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    A close up of the cryptic orthopteran, if you still couldn’t find it.

  32. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5360
  33. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    Dorsal view with full flash. Notice how the colours looked very different as compared to the natural light shots above.

  34. DSC00366
  35. Natural light photography

    Shooting in natural light allowed the katydid’s camouflage to be well blended with its surroundings. I had already thrown my flashes onto the ground for the camouflage-shot… 😛

  36. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae)
  37. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) ©2015 Seawei Ying

    One of the magnificent giant shield bugs that Seawei spotted!

  38. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae)
  39. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham shot the same shield bug from another spot but with minimal highlights.

  40. Grasshopper (Caelifera) - DSC_5376
  41. Grasshopper (Caelifera)

    Apparently quite common and colourful, but often missed out as it resembles many of the common grasshoppers.

  42. Grasshopper (Caelifera) - DSC_5379
  43. Grasshopper (Caelifera)

    Curiously climbing around.

  44. False click beetle (Eucnemidae)
  45. False click beetle (Eucnemidae) ©2015 Seawei Ying

    Seawei found a false click beetle.

  46. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5395
  47. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    Interesting looking katydid nymph that Cham was shooting.

  48. Katydid (Tettigoniidae) - DSC_5397
  49. Katydid (Tettigoniidae)

    Trying to look for symmetry, but the antennae were out of place.

  50. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5399
  51. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Saw lots of these stick insects, and many of us were already bored of seeing them.

  52. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5407
  53. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    And then this giant stick appeared! Spent more time on this with experimental shots using the Venus 15mm macro lens.

  54. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5417
  55. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Tried to exaggerate the perspective but that revealed more of the overexposed sky which caused a higher contrast in the background.

  56. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5435
  57. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Switched back to my 90mm and got the normal boring perspective of the same subject. Notice how the stick insect appears smaller now? 😉

  58. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5438
  59. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Dorsal view of the walking stick.

  60. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) - DSC_5444
  61. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae)

    On the way back at the cabins, Seawei was shooting this shield bug on the bridge railings.

  62. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) - DSC_5450
  63. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae)

    It had the similar green pits.

  64. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae) - DSC_5479
  65. Giant shield bug (Tessaratomidae)

    It started walking around, so we let it walk up on this leaf. Against the sky, we were able to get a nice blue background.

  66. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae) - DSC_5484
  67. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae)

    Below our cabins, we spent some time observing these little sand pits. One of the cabins had antlion larvae, while this had wormlion larvae.

  68. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae) - DSC_5454
  69. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae)

    This was how they looked when out of their pits.

  70. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae) - DSC_5467
  71. Wormlion larva (Vermileonidae)

    Any eyes??

  72. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus)
  73. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus) ©2015 Tom Astle

    At dusk, the lantern bugs were spotted again and Tom got a capture of it with the sky.

  74. We were supposed to have an elaborate seafood dinner, but what the canteen provided was a disappointment and we didn’t take much photos of dinner at all. So… fast forward to our night shoot!

    Squash bugs (Coreidae) - DSC_5486
  75. Squash bugs (Coreidae)

    A pair of squash bugs in the act of procreation.

  76. Huntsman spider (Sparassidae) - DSC_5487
  77. Huntsman spider (Sparassidae)

    Well camouflaged huntsman spider on the tree trunk. Always be careful not to press on any surface without checking first!

  78. Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) - DSC_5488
  79. Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae)

    Also found on the tree trunk and very cooperative.

  80. Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae) - DSC_5500
  81. Darkling beetle (Tenebrionidae)

    Evil looking eyes…

  82. Leafhopper (Cicadellidae) - DSC_5506
  83. Leafhopper (Cicadellidae)

    Not very pretty, but worth documenting.

  84. Harvestman (Opiliones) - DSC_5517
  85. Harvestman (Opiliones)

    This harvestman was happily chewing on some fungus.

  86. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5524
  87. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Another Aschiphasma perhaps?

  88. Moth (Microlepidoptera) - DSC_5526
  89. Moth (Microlepidoptera)

    Tiny little moth.

  90. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.) - DSC_5529
  91. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.)

    Vibrantly coloured lynx spider with a blue-capped head!

  92. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.) - DSC_5532
  93. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.)

    Lateral view

  94. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.) - DSC_5537
  95. Lynx spider (Hamadruas sp.)

    Anterior view, a male!

  96. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5541
  97. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    A well hidden phasmid under a leaf.

  98. Nursery web spider (Pisauridae) - DSC_5543
  99. Nursery web spider (Pisauridae)

    This pisaurid had lost 3 legs, but still a fast runner.

  100. Nursery web spider (Pisauridae) - DSC_5547
  101. Nursery web spider (Pisauridae)

    Close up on the eyes!

  102. Ant (Calomyrmex sp.) - DSC_5558
  103. Ant (Calomyrmex sp.)

    One of the cuter ants seen on this trip.

  104. Ant (Calomyrmex sp.) - DSC_5561
  105. Ant (Calomyrmex sp.)

    Lateral view. Unfortunately it didn’t stay still for long and this was the last shot before it ran off.

  106. Daddy-long-legs spider (Pholcidae) - DSC_5570
  107. Daddy-long-legs spider (Pholcidae)

    Really tiny little pholcid!

  108. Jumping spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5576
  109. Jumping spider (Salticidae)

    Small little jumping spider under a sheet of silk.

  110. Jumping spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5580
  111. Jumping spider (Salticidae)

    Peeping at it from under the silk.

  112. Harvestman (Opiliones) - DSC_5585
  113. Harvestman (Opiliones)

    One of the many harvestmen running around.

  114. Red bugs (Pyrrhocoridae) - DSC_5587
  115. Red bugs (Pyrrhocoridae)

    A pair of mating red bugs. Despite being in the act of procreation, they were walking about quite actively.

  116. Red bugs (Pyrrhocoridae) - DSC_5589
  117. Red bugs (Pyrrhocoridae)

    Walked to another location!

  118. Ant (Polyrhachis armata) - DSC_5590
  119. Ant (Polyrhachis armata)

    This ant was busily carrying stuff around and decided to stop for a breather.

  120. Trap jaw ant (Anochetus sp.) - DSC_5593
  121. Trap jaw ant (Anochetus sp.)

    Trap-jaw is open and ready for anyone who wants to put their finger there.

  122. Ant (Formicidae)
  123. Queen ant (Gesomyrmex sp.) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham found this amazingly stunning queen ant, really bizarre! Identified by Stéphane De Greef, possibly Gesomyrmex luzonensis. The ant was also facing an odd looking organism that looked like a scale insect.

  124. Jumping spider (Salticidae) - DSC_5597
  125. Jumping spider (Salticidae)

    Too many jumping spiders, so I only took dorsal shots for some of them.

  126. Weevil (Curculionidae)
  127. Weevil (Curculionidae) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    This weevil that Cham shot has a unique maroon tone.

  128. Pill-like planthopper (Hemisphaerius sp.) - DSC_5601
  129. Pill-like planthopper (Hemisphaerius sp.)

    This beautiful species seems to be found in many of the trails.

  130. Bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus sp.) - DSC_5607
  131. Bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus sp.)

    Cham spotted this lovely bent-toed gecko. It was a little high up so angles were limited.

  132. Two-tailed spider (Hersiliidae) - DSC_5609
  133. Two-tailed spider (Hersiliidae)

    Another classic camouflage by a two-tailed spider.

  134. Two-tailed spider (Hersiliidae) - DSC_5613
  135. Two-tailed spider (Hersiliidae)

    Close up on the eyes.

  136. Giant river toad (Phrynoidis juxtasper)
  137. Giant river toad (Phrynoidis juxtasper) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham had the giant river toad beside his shoe for size comparison.

  138. Ants (Crematogaster inflata) - DSC_5617
  139. Ants (Crematogaster inflata)

    A small colony of Crematogaster scurrying about around the hole in the tree trunk.

  140. Ants (Crematogaster inflata) - DSC_5626
  141. Ants (Crematogaster inflata)

    Closer view.

  142. Crab spider (Epidius sp.) - DSC_5631
  143. Crab spider (Epidius sp.)

    The mature male of this crab spider would be exceptionally long for this genus.

  144. Crab spider (Epidius sp.) - DSC_5635
  145. Crab spider (Epidius sp.)

    But.. either a juvenile or female.

  146. Crab spider (Epidius sp.)
  147. Crab spider (Epidius sp.) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham highlighted the crab spider and its fluorescence under ultraviolet!

  148. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5638
  149. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Probably Haaniella?

  150. 20150627_221346
  151. Lantern bug

    Finally after 4 days, we found Pyrops sultanus at eye level.

  152. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus) - DSC_5641
  153. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus)

    Another lantern bug checked off this trip!

  154. IMG_20150627_214359
  155. Lantern bug

    Everyone else had a go also, and we even managed to try some back-lighting.

  156. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus) - DSC_5646
  157. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus)

    This is how it looked with light from behind.

  158. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus) - DSC_5649
  159. Lantern bug (Pyrops sultanus)

    Record shot of the dorsal view.

  160. Weevil (Curculionidae)
  161. Weevil (Curculionidae) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham had a shot of a beautiful weevil with elytra looking like it had been consumed by fungus!

  162. Weevil (Curculionidae)
  163. Weevil (Curculionidae) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Even had a preflight shot in focus!

  164. Caterpillars - DSC_5651
  165. Caterpillars

    Andrew pointed me to this large cluster of hairy caterpillars.

  166. Caterpillars - DSC_5654
  167. Caterpillars

    Attemped to put some light behind, but the result wasn’t impressive.

  168. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5662
  169. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    An interesting looking little stick insect was spotted near the base of the steps.

  170. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5668
  171. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Lateral view. It was quite unique – should have taken more close ups!

  172. Tick (Parasitiformes)
  173. Tick (Parasitiformes) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham had a tick ravaging him, lucky guy! 😛

  174. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5678
  175. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    A very docile Gonocephalus had all of us pretty occupied.

  176. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5689
  177. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    Could approach from many angles.

  178. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5695
  179. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    Inching a bit closer.

  180. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5698
  181. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    Even had a chance to do some back-lighting!

  182. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5711
  183. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    Really lovely tones on this beauty.

  184. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5716
  185. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    Upskirt. oops…

  186. 20150627_225928
  187. Queuing up

    Everyone was queuing up to shoot the anglehead lizard!

  188. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5743
  189. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    So I put my Raynox on…

  190. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) - DSC_5743_eye
  191. Great anglehead lizard (Gonocephalus grandis)

    And went really close.

  192. Skink (Scincidae) - DSC_5719
  193. Skink (Scincidae)

    Just a few meters away, Dori spotted this skink.

  194. Skink (Scincidae) - DSC_5721
  195. Skink (Scincidae)

    They would normally be very skittish in the day, but nice enough to stay still for many of us.

  196. Skink (Scincidae) - DSC_5736
  197. Skink (Scincidae)

    A curious view with a little smile.

  198. Stingless bees (Meliponini)
  199. Stingless bees (Meliponini) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham had a shot of some stingless bees

  200. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5746
  201. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Walking deeper into the trail, this cryptic looking stick insect was spotted.

  202. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5747
  203. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Lateral view.

  204. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5749
  205. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Close up revealing the textures on its body. Unfortunately it disappeared after taking this shot.

  206. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5752
  207. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Just a few minutes later, Joanna found another one!

  208. Stick insect (Phasmatodea) - DSC_5755
  209. Stick insect (Phasmatodea)

    Wanted to shoot its dorsal view on this leaf.

  210. Frilled tree frog (Kurixalus appendiculatus)
  211. Frilled tree frog (Kurixalus appendiculatus) ©2015 Tud Yinn

    Cham had a shot of this magnificent moss-like frilled tree frog. I went back searching for the frog to get record shots of it but it was no longer there. 🙁

  212. Tiger beetle (Cylindera sp.) - DSC_5764
  213. Tiger beetle (Cylindera sp.)

    On the way out of the trail, Seawei spotted this beautiful tiger beetle.

  214. Tiger beetle (Cylindera sp.) - DSC_5769
  215. Tiger beetle (Cylindera sp.)

    Lateral view, definitely one of the more stunning tiger beetles around!

  216. Tiger leech (Haemadipsa picta)
  217. Tiger leech (Haemadipsa picta?) ©2015 Joanna Yeo

    This leech was just beside the tiger beetle, but everyone ignored it except for Joanna!

  218. Milky way
  219. Milky way © Seawei Ying

    The sky was only clear for a while, but it allowed some of us to capture the milky way!

It was an exciting night with several unique finds but with everyone pretty much dispersed, not everyone got to shoot everything we found. Nevertheless, everyone returned to the cabins tired but happy. We were supposed to shoot star trails and the milky way, but the clouds came in and blocked out the stars!

Borneo Bootcamp 2015: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4

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NICKY BAY
Singapore

Hi my name is Nicky Bay. I am a macro photographer, instructor and book author, travelling the world to document the vast micro biodiversity that nature has to offer. Follow my updates and discover with me the incredible beauty and science behind our planet's micro creatures!

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