Taman Nasional Baluran
First Morning Walk in Baluran
It was just about sunrise time, still quite a way from the beach. We just admiring our surroundings, as there was just enough light to look around.
Started the walk around 4:30 am and it took us about an hour to walk to the beach from the savanna. I was worried about the predators, at first, but Pak Anis assured us that the predators are more affraid of us than the other way around.
The path is pretty easy. Just follow the main road. There's also another walk path through the woods. We took it safe and chose the main road route.Firstmorningwalkbaluranbekoleast javaindonesianatureroadsavannasunrisetraveltrees
Two Boats and a Sunrise
The view was great and there were no other sound than the sound of nature.
We were taking a break while making photos, before walking back to the savanna. It was quite a walk and we took our time exploring.TwoBoatsandsunrisebaluranbamabeacheast javaindonesiamorningnaturetravel
The Java Sea Drift
I tried to make the best of the opportunity available. I did not forget to be in the moment, to consume the scene with my own eyes.
It was quite peaceful. No other visitors. For a moment, nothing else mattered. I have multiple photos to remind me, how priviledged I am to be able to visit these places. I hope there will be more places in the future.TheJavaSeaDriftbaluranbamabeacheast javaindonesiamorningnaturesunrisetravel
Bama Beach Entrance
The beach was quiet and empty. There were monkeys playing around and some birds looking for breakfast, when got there, rushed to the beach, and made photos. Only after the start of our walk back, we noticed the sign.
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Mount Balur and Bekol Savanna
In the middle of the savanna; it's definitely not the safe place during lightning storm. Fortunately, we didn't experience any rain while we were there.
It's quite flat and hot. Humidity was bearable, as long as long we are not in the jungle. Don't forget to bring some drinking water, it worth its weight and then some.MountBalurandbekolsavannabaluraneast javaindonesiamorningnaturepanoramatravel
All Greatness Must Come to an End
The most recent addition to the collection, a skull from a used to be the leader of a herd of buffaloes. The ranger found the carcass in the jungle and brought the skull to be cataloged and documented.
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The Savanna from the Observation Tower
Relative to the size of the whole national park, the savanna is not even half the size. It is located on the east-most tip of the Java island and to the north, across the sea.
You can barely see Bali on this panorama. It's on the left half of the photo.thesavannafromObservationTowerbaluranbekoleast javaindonesiamorningnaturepanoramatravel
Making Infrared Photos
Priadi had a special camera that can take infrared photos. It's not a completely converted camera, so it requires an infrared filter.
Most cameras cannot take infrared photos, because, by design, there are infrared filter installed on the sensor to keep infrared lights out. So, even with filter than only let infrared lights through, the camera cannot make infrared photos.
With these cameras, they need to be converted; the infrared filter by the sensor need to be replaced by a neutral glass or a glass that only passes infrared lights, before the camera can take infrared photos.MakingInfraredPhotosbaluranbekoleast javaindonesianaturepriadisavannatravel
Sneaking Up on Herd of Deers
Because of weight consideration, I didn't bring my long lens on our walk. So in order to get a closer shots of the wildlife, I have to slowly approach the herd. I could probably get another 4 or 5 steps closer, but didn't want to spook them.
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Troops of Monkeys
Group of monkeys were more confident about having us around. As long we didn't make any sudden moves, they were content hanging out around the puddle.
There were actually deers behind the hill on the background. I was waiting for them to approach the puddle, but they never did.Troopsmonkeysbaluranbekoldeerseast javaindonesianaturesavannatravel
Deer and Peacocks
We were on the walk path in the jungle not far from the cluster we were staying. Deer and peacocks were taking refuge just on the outside of the tree line.
We saw several birds around the path. They were too quick to be photographed, and no buffalos. We saw some spots where they laid down though.deerandPeacocksbaluranbekoleast javaindonesianaturesavannatravel
Deer Skulls
The deer skulls are a lot more popular than the buffalo's. So, they are placed near by the staffs' housing for an easier observation reason.
The sun had just set and we were on our way to get supper. We walked pass the display previously and took some pictures already, but the light was much nicer this time and hard to resist to not take another shot or two.DeerSkullsbaluraneast javaindonesianaturetravelsunsetmountainmount balurtreesstump
Star Trail from Baluran
An impromptu attempt to make a star trail. The sky was relatively clear at the beginning, but turned significantly cloudy after about a half an hour. I took whatever I can get.
The light pollution was severe. The bright light was from the city of Banyuwangi. It's about 30 km (19 miles) to the south. So much for an idea to shoot the Milky Way.
Those green lights on the ground are from the reflections of the wildlife's eyes, mostly likely deers.baluranbekolcloudseast javaindonesialong exposurenaturenightsavannastar trailstarstravelwildlife
When Stars and Clouds Meet
The intention was to make a star trail photo in the dark sky in the national park. But, the weather dictated me to make a different photo.
I combined the stars and the clouds together. In addition, there were herd of deers grazing and drinking on the ground.WhenstarsandcloudsMeetbaluranbekoleast javaindonesialong exposurenaturenightsavannastar trailtravelwildlife
Monkey, the Menace
There were plenty of monkeys around the lodging. They never did give us problems, until the last morning.
My friend made a mistake feeding them. Initially he offered a piece of wafer to a small group, but then the group crowded him and took the whole container.
It didn't stop there. We gathered our trash, including what was left of the wafer's container, put them in a plastic bag and left the bag just outside our room. You guessed it! They ransacked the bag.monkeytheMenacebwbaluranblack and whiteeast javaindonesiamorningnaturetrees
