October 14 - Lemur Island
Nov. 3rd, 2007 02:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
leaping_lemursThis may end up being the most picture-heavy post in this whole journal, so apologies right up front, but I just can't resist a lemur.
Next stop, Lemur Island, and I’m willing to bet cash money that a lot of the lemur photos you see were shot not in the wild but here or at Berenty (where we’ll also be going.) You’re canoed across maybe 20’ of shallow water, and the minute you start along the path, a series of gorgeous black and white ruffed lemurs leap down from their trees and race along the rail to great you.
Your guide (ours was Fidel, and can I just say how much I want his job?) will be stocked with the delicious small bananas they grow here, which he lets you hand feed to the lemurs. Lemurs who, with a little coaxing (and sometimes even without) will stand on your shoulder or even your head. They’re incredibly gentle (this was true of the brown lemurs we met next, too), not at all agressive or competitive the way monkeys are, and their tiny hands are soft as they touch you. You never even feel their nails.
Here are some of them just being themselves. They're absolutely gorgeous animals.
The black-and-whites followed us and watched as we met the brown lemurs, little bundles of energy who leap all over, including right onto you as you pass by, no treats needed. Not that they don’t appreciate their banana bits, though, because they do. They practically cuddle against you, with their soft fur and little hiccupy-oinky cries. You can tell the sexes apart because the males have black faces, with pale “eyebrows” that can look quite dramatic. We saw two babies, who travel on their mothers’ backs when not leaping madly and play-fighting just like a couple of kids.
This little guy was worried that I might be coming down with a fever.
Here they are just being lemurs.
The babies!
Mom and baby:
Much of the troop followed us when we met the much larger lone diademed sifaka who lives there. (Many of the adult lemurs on Lemur Island are abandoned pets, and I guess fewer people are inclined to try to domesticate the bigger species.) I feel sad that this one’s all alone, but she didn’t seem unhappy and willingly posed.
Back in the canoe, we were paddled around the island to an adjoining island, where the ringtail lemurs live. As we boated over to see the ringtails, the browns watched us from the shore.
We had to stay in the canoe to see them, but we were literally right against the shore. One kept jumping on the side of the canoe and running back and forth,
and the others were all 2-10’ away at various points, including a mother whose baby was firmly attached to her back. I didn’t manage to get them leaping (maybe at Berenty, fingers crossed), but I got a lot of great shots.
As we approached, I got this nicely posed shot of ringtails on the shore and reflected in the water.
And here's a small (I'm not kidding!) selection of the rest:
I discovered, when I looked at my pictures later, that I got several rear views of a hop in the background of other shots, so here's one.
Mom and Baby:
Honestly, I could show you a zillion (and you'll see more from other locations), because they're so winning, with their alert little faces and striking markings.
Then it was back to our lodge to relax before dinner. (And shower, because not only was I filthy, I don’t really want to have to get up any earlier than necessary tomorrow, and shower in the freezing dark.) Tonight for dinner I had shrimp in vanilla sauce with red rice, which I think is a lot like brown rice, in that it’s darker and has a bit of the husk on. Apparently it’s not often served in restaurants, so I felt very lucky. The entire meal was delicious. I could get addicted to vanilla sauce, I have to admit.
Tomorrow will be mainly a travel day. It’s 4 hours to the airport, but we’re stopping at a spice plantation on the way. Then we’ll be stationary for 3 days, doing day trips from home base. And so to bed.
Next stop, Lemur Island, and I’m willing to bet cash money that a lot of the lemur photos you see were shot not in the wild but here or at Berenty (where we’ll also be going.) You’re canoed across maybe 20’ of shallow water, and the minute you start along the path, a series of gorgeous black and white ruffed lemurs leap down from their trees and race along the rail to great you.
Your guide (ours was Fidel, and can I just say how much I want his job?) will be stocked with the delicious small bananas they grow here, which he lets you hand feed to the lemurs. Lemurs who, with a little coaxing (and sometimes even without) will stand on your shoulder or even your head. They’re incredibly gentle (this was true of the brown lemurs we met next, too), not at all agressive or competitive the way monkeys are, and their tiny hands are soft as they touch you. You never even feel their nails.
Here are some of them just being themselves. They're absolutely gorgeous animals.
The black-and-whites followed us and watched as we met the brown lemurs, little bundles of energy who leap all over, including right onto you as you pass by, no treats needed. Not that they don’t appreciate their banana bits, though, because they do. They practically cuddle against you, with their soft fur and little hiccupy-oinky cries. You can tell the sexes apart because the males have black faces, with pale “eyebrows” that can look quite dramatic. We saw two babies, who travel on their mothers’ backs when not leaping madly and play-fighting just like a couple of kids.
This little guy was worried that I might be coming down with a fever.
Here they are just being lemurs.
The babies!
Mom and baby:
Much of the troop followed us when we met the much larger lone diademed sifaka who lives there. (Many of the adult lemurs on Lemur Island are abandoned pets, and I guess fewer people are inclined to try to domesticate the bigger species.) I feel sad that this one’s all alone, but she didn’t seem unhappy and willingly posed.
Back in the canoe, we were paddled around the island to an adjoining island, where the ringtail lemurs live. As we boated over to see the ringtails, the browns watched us from the shore.
We had to stay in the canoe to see them, but we were literally right against the shore. One kept jumping on the side of the canoe and running back and forth,
and the others were all 2-10’ away at various points, including a mother whose baby was firmly attached to her back. I didn’t manage to get them leaping (maybe at Berenty, fingers crossed), but I got a lot of great shots.
As we approached, I got this nicely posed shot of ringtails on the shore and reflected in the water.
And here's a small (I'm not kidding!) selection of the rest:
I discovered, when I looked at my pictures later, that I got several rear views of a hop in the background of other shots, so here's one.
Mom and Baby:
Honestly, I could show you a zillion (and you'll see more from other locations), because they're so winning, with their alert little faces and striking markings.
Then it was back to our lodge to relax before dinner. (And shower, because not only was I filthy, I don’t really want to have to get up any earlier than necessary tomorrow, and shower in the freezing dark.) Tonight for dinner I had shrimp in vanilla sauce with red rice, which I think is a lot like brown rice, in that it’s darker and has a bit of the husk on. Apparently it’s not often served in restaurants, so I felt very lucky. The entire meal was delicious. I could get addicted to vanilla sauce, I have to admit.
Tomorrow will be mainly a travel day. It’s 4 hours to the airport, but we’re stopping at a spice plantation on the way. Then we’ll be stationary for 3 days, doing day trips from home base. And so to bed.
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no subject
Date: 2007-11-03 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-03 07:40 pm (UTC)WOW!!!!
Um...please do feel free to show a zillion. *Hugs*
Holy bat dren. :::more happy sighs:::
Ps. You rock, and these photos are GORGEOUS!
no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 12:02 pm (UTC)Lemurs! WHeeee!
no subject
Date: 2007-11-03 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-03 11:51 pm (UTC)I am also thoroughly enjoying your commentary - I love your descriptions of the meals - as you well know, I am fascinated by regional specialities!
no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 12:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:33 am (UTC)for your consideration: LEMURS
Date: 2007-11-04 01:33 am (UTC)With your permission, I think I'll have to add that second one to my own collection. ^ ^
Re: for your consideration: LEMURS
Date: 2007-11-04 01:35 am (UTC)Re: for your consideration: LEMURS
Date: 2007-11-04 03:36 am (UTC)Re: for your consideration: LEMURS
Date: 2007-11-04 03:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 03:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 09:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 09:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-04 10:59 pm (UTC)The lemur with his hand on your forehead also looks like he's blessing you :)
no subject
Date: 2007-11-05 08:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-05 07:59 pm (UTC)My favorites of the bunch include: The black and white swinging like a hammock, the brown staring head-on with those lovely big giant eyes, and, of course, the ringtails leaping away! I was wondering if you would mind if I stole the 6th pic from the bottom (with the ringtails looking like they are waiting in line together) for my screen saver? If not that's totally fine - I just find that particular picture extra smile-worthy.
Thanks again for letting us all in on your journey.
no subject
Date: 2007-11-05 08:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-07 04:39 am (UTC)photos
Date: 2007-11-08 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-09 07:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-10 02:39 am (UTC)*
no subject
Date: 2007-11-12 09:44 pm (UTC)