Small distractions, can lead to mishaps, big accidents and even disasters. Everyone has experienced incidents, which arose from a small distraction. At times it is just a moment or even a split of a second. Luckily, most of these incidents do not have serious repercussions. It has happened to me and on many occasions, but today, I will share one that I experienced in Papua New Guinea.
The day had started early, as the group prepared to visit Kiunga Forest. The main targets, in this forest, were two species of Birds of Paradise; Greater and King. Both are spectacular birds. The latter, has one of the most intricate plumage in the avian world, while the former, is famous for its noisy leks, formed by displaying, performing males.
We got the King Bird of Paradise, almost immediately on the first track into the dense forest. Unfortunately, it was located high in the trees, and seemed to have no intention to get any lower. Spectacularly beautiful, the male just flipped, from branch to branch, but always kept at a high altitude.
s we walked further into the forest, we started hearing the noisy, vibrant, calls of the male, Greater Bird of Paradise. In no time at all, we were below a clump of giant trees upon which a lek of vibrant, excited male Greater Bird of Paradise, were trying their best to attract, the rather, choosy, females.
Below them, us, all in a frenzy, clicking our cameras, like mad men. The silence of the forest, was broken momentarily by two distinct noises. Above, the noisy, calls of the birds, below the noisy sound of thousands of photographic clicks, made by us.
After a while following thousands of clicks, part of the group, decided to move back to the King Bird of Paradise, location. While the rest, went on to click further thousands, of shots of the Greater Bird of Paradise.
I went along with the former. The birds of paradise were our targets, but everything in nature fascinates me. So as we walked, I caught a glimpse of an interesting butterfly, resting on a leaf. It was just a couple of metres into the thick forest and only just off the track. I went into the forest, skulking slowly, not to scare off, the butterfly. It was a beautiful, Silky Owlet Butterfly. On the under wings, it had a pattern, that resemble, a pair of owl’s eyes. As I approached, I stepped on a twig, and the butterfly flew a few metres away, but deeper into the forest. I decided to follow and successfully, snatched a couple of beautiful shots of this amazing butterfly. So I decided to go back to the track.
Here, it is important to highlight two very important things. At least for the perspective of the story. I have a great sense of direction. I write this humbly, but I do. These forests are dense and thick. The tracks are hardly distinctive and there are no signs at all. In fact., I might be wrong here, but only a handful of birders, researchers and local people visit these forests and very randomly.
Back to the track, or, rather back to the story. I walked in the direction towards the path, but after a few minutes of tracking, there seemed to be no sign of the path. So, I walked and walked and I had that bad feeling that I was somehow lost. This was confirmed, when I came up to a large depression with side banks that led to a dry stream. At no point had we gone past this land feature. So, I took a direction and started walking again. After some time I had that even worse feeling of going in circles. This was soon confirmed, as I came up to the land depression, once more. So, I started walking again, this time in another direction. Yet once again, to my total surprise, I ended once again at the same landmark. I tried once more but to no avail. After a further strenuous walk, through thick jungle, during which I tore through, and in return, was torn by various plants, creepers and branches, I ended once more at the usual landmark. During these forays, I was also fending off, various insects and other critters, that had the intention to deprive me of some of my blood. These included mosquitoes and leeches.
Now tired, sweaty, dirty and torn, I stopped to think and reflect. I could here the Greater Bird of Paradise calls, far away, but no human voices. For all I know, these might have been, another group of birds. So, first I tried my mobile. Obviously when you need technology most….it fails. No sign of reception. So next thing to do. I started shouting at the top of my voice. Calling my friend’s names. No reply, nothing, nada, zilch. I was truly lost in the middle of nowhere.
So, it was now, the time for my survival check list. Something that I should have done before going into the track. But I am always prepared. So, here it goes, I had water, number one requisite. I had food. In the form of a packet of the famous Maltese snack. Yes once again at the rescue . I had my torch and my swiss knife for any need that arose. During my ventures in the forest, I had spotted various palm fronds, along the way. These could have come in handy, to build a shelter for the night. So, I was Ok, sort of.
I was almost going to sit down and give up. But that is not my character. So I headed towards a clearing in the forest. Here I focused more intensely for that greater, inner sense of direction and once more headed along the forest.
As I walked, I came onto a familiar path. Yes, it was the one. It lead to a group of photographers, who as I approached, recognized as my friends. They were still drunk on taking photos, of the King Bird of Paradise. I say drunk, but a more adequate word would be obsessed . During all this ordeal they had not even realized, I was missing. I confirmed this when I approached the group, and one of them took a pause, put down his camera and said, ” the damn bird won’t go lower”.
The whole ordeal took almost an hour. I was safe and relived now. Totally relaxed, that my worst thought was over. The idea of spending the night, in the forest and having to share my blood with mosquitoes and leeches, was very daunting. I truly, love nature, but not that much *(Michael Sammut)*
Trek Papua 