My heart skips a beat at the mention of the jungle. The deepest I have ventured into the woods thus far was in Danum Valley, Borneo. This place is a relatively undisturbed primary lowland rainforest, teeming with life at every level. I have never witnessed such a high concentration of greens, surrounded by mist and blooming flowers, accompanied by the melodic songs of birds and frogs. You do not need to wander far to encounter wild creatures; simply remain still for a few moments and they will come to you. A towering fig tree, comparable to a skyscraper, serves as a home for a family of green pink-breasted pigeons, a pair of oriental pied hornbills, numerous lesser birds, squirrels, tree-shrews, and very likely, a colugo. Overlooking a nearby lake, a wild orangutan leisurely takes his daily dip. Emerging from the lush vegetation after the rain, a lesser mouse deer comes out to dry itself. A bearded pig scrutinizes us with its piercing gaze, assessing whether we are trustworthy. A group of deer moves silently, their presence only revealed by their glistening eyes. In the darkness of the rainforest, bird calls are heard but not seen.
I enjoy capturing the moment through sketches in my field book—here are some of them.