Komodo Island - “Dragons”
As it was my birthday, I left Linda to go ashore on my own as I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to photograph these remarkable lizards. They are carnivorous and will actually eat small offspring, so the babies spend about four years up in the treetops to avoid their bigger relations! They are remarkably well camouflaged when they are still and could be mistaken for large rocks. They tend to lie in wait near watering holes and ambush prey such as wild pigs and small deer.
First glimpse of Komodo from our cabin.
There is a long walk to the island from the landing stage
Photographing the ship's photographers!
The water is crystal clear with corals growing near the shore
Plenty of roots on this tree.
Our local guide
We had only walke 100 yards before we met our first Komodo, strolling through the woods.
They are extremely prehistoric looking.
Typical dry woodland in the National Park
Buttress roots
They are sometimes difficult to see among the rocks
Komodo poo!
No sign of young Komodo dragons!
Wild pig - main prey of the dragons
Komodo den
Robber crab in a burrow
Looking out towards the ship (Westerdam)
The little market on the beach
Locals near the ship
Setting sail
