Max Waugh
@maxwaughphoto.bsky.social
Professional wildlife photographer. WPY alum. Doing my best to share the natural world.
To be fair, it was a large airy cavern with lots of windows... Any better?
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
To be fair, it was a large airy cavern with lots of windows... Any better?
Back to Borneo: The Gonmatong Cave visit was one of the main highlights for me on this trip. It was my first time there (closed during my last visit), and the amount of cool stuff inside was just wild.
Here we have: long-legged centipede, a baby bat fallen from the ceiling, and oodles of roaches.
Here we have: long-legged centipede, a baby bat fallen from the ceiling, and oodles of roaches.
November 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Back to Borneo: The Gonmatong Cave visit was one of the main highlights for me on this trip. It was my first time there (closed during my last visit), and the amount of cool stuff inside was just wild.
Here we have: long-legged centipede, a baby bat fallen from the ceiling, and oodles of roaches.
Here we have: long-legged centipede, a baby bat fallen from the ceiling, and oodles of roaches.
Random pull from the archives: A gathering at a carcass in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley back in January, 2013. Coyote, Bald Eagle, and Common Ravens are seen here. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a magpie around as well.
November 23, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Random pull from the archives: A gathering at a carcass in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley back in January, 2013. Coyote, Bald Eagle, and Common Ravens are seen here. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a magpie around as well.
My, what big ears you have...
November 22, 2025 at 5:35 PM
My, what big ears you have...
I'm glad you all enjoyed yesterday's monster find. Here's another close-up subject from Borneo, which is somewhat more benign (in terms of size): a harlequin tree frog. This is the most common frog we typically see during my night walks in Danum Valley.
(Photographed in situ, no manipulation.)
(Photographed in situ, no manipulation.)
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I'm glad you all enjoyed yesterday's monster find. Here's another close-up subject from Borneo, which is somewhat more benign (in terms of size): a harlequin tree frog. This is the most common frog we typically see during my night walks in Danum Valley.
(Photographed in situ, no manipulation.)
(Photographed in situ, no manipulation.)
Meet the Malaysian giant katydid, the world's largest katydid species. Borneo does elephants small, and insects huge... things are completely backward there.
(This, by the way, is a male. Apparently the female is even bigger.)
(This, by the way, is a male. Apparently the female is even bigger.)
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Meet the Malaysian giant katydid, the world's largest katydid species. Borneo does elephants small, and insects huge... things are completely backward there.
(This, by the way, is a male. Apparently the female is even bigger.)
(This, by the way, is a male. Apparently the female is even bigger.)
SOUND ON.
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
November 20, 2025 at 2:20 PM
SOUND ON.
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
Instead of a photo, here's a short video from Borneo. Normally I don't condone handling of wildlife, but something was obviously stuck beneath our truck. You might say we were a bit surprised about what our guide pulled out...
The biggest surprise of my Borneo trip was seeing otters. Though I was aware of the presence of otter species in southeast Asia, we'd never come close to seeing them before. The smooth-coated otter was my third new otter species this year!
View the full Borneo 2025 gallery here: bit.ly/4pn0f7x
View the full Borneo 2025 gallery here: bit.ly/4pn0f7x
November 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The biggest surprise of my Borneo trip was seeing otters. Though I was aware of the presence of otter species in southeast Asia, we'd never come close to seeing them before. The smooth-coated otter was my third new otter species this year!
View the full Borneo 2025 gallery here: bit.ly/4pn0f7x
View the full Borneo 2025 gallery here: bit.ly/4pn0f7x
New Borneo Photos:
I was happy to get closer—albeit brief—views of the silvered leaf monkey (langur) when a small troop hopped through the trees during one of our river floats. As a bonus, we got to see the less common "red morph" of the species as well!
I was happy to get closer—albeit brief—views of the silvered leaf monkey (langur) when a small troop hopped through the trees during one of our river floats. As a bonus, we got to see the less common "red morph" of the species as well!
November 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
New Borneo Photos:
I was happy to get closer—albeit brief—views of the silvered leaf monkey (langur) when a small troop hopped through the trees during one of our river floats. As a bonus, we got to see the less common "red morph" of the species as well!
I was happy to get closer—albeit brief—views of the silvered leaf monkey (langur) when a small troop hopped through the trees during one of our river floats. As a bonus, we got to see the less common "red morph" of the species as well!
New Photos: Borneo 2025
My final new images of the year are up on my site. The Borneo trip kicked off with an amazing interaction, when we found Prevost's squirrels keeping an eye on a large reticulated python. Can you see the snake in the first photo?
More to come from Borneo this week!
My final new images of the year are up on my site. The Borneo trip kicked off with an amazing interaction, when we found Prevost's squirrels keeping an eye on a large reticulated python. Can you see the snake in the first photo?
More to come from Borneo this week!
November 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
New Photos: Borneo 2025
My final new images of the year are up on my site. The Borneo trip kicked off with an amazing interaction, when we found Prevost's squirrels keeping an eye on a large reticulated python. Can you see the snake in the first photo?
More to come from Borneo this week!
My final new images of the year are up on my site. The Borneo trip kicked off with an amazing interaction, when we found Prevost's squirrels keeping an eye on a large reticulated python. Can you see the snake in the first photo?
More to come from Borneo this week!
Still not quite there on my newest photos, which I hoped to start sharing with y'all soon.
Here's a whale shark placeholder in the meantime. I hope this will suffice until we have new images in stock again.
Here's a whale shark placeholder in the meantime. I hope this will suffice until we have new images in stock again.
November 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Still not quite there on my newest photos, which I hoped to start sharing with y'all soon.
Here's a whale shark placeholder in the meantime. I hope this will suffice until we have new images in stock again.
Here's a whale shark placeholder in the meantime. I hope this will suffice until we have new images in stock again.
I'm always up for a good Flehmen Response.
November 15, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I'm always up for a good Flehmen Response.
Soon I'll start compiling year-end content. This includes curating my favorites from '25 and creating the yearbook magazine I publish just for fun.
Lots of highlights this year, including new species and better shots of old faces (e.g., finally seeing the Galapagos Dove up close back in January).
Lots of highlights this year, including new species and better shots of old faces (e.g., finally seeing the Galapagos Dove up close back in January).
November 14, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Soon I'll start compiling year-end content. This includes curating my favorites from '25 and creating the yearbook magazine I publish just for fun.
Lots of highlights this year, including new species and better shots of old faces (e.g., finally seeing the Galapagos Dove up close back in January).
Lots of highlights this year, including new species and better shots of old faces (e.g., finally seeing the Galapagos Dove up close back in January).
I'm trying to work through my last batch of new photos from this year, and I admit I'm probably more excited about them than those from my other trips this year.
Why? The bugs!!!
Why? The bugs!!!
November 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I'm trying to work through my last batch of new photos from this year, and I admit I'm probably more excited about them than those from my other trips this year.
Why? The bugs!!!
Why? The bugs!!!
I did peek out our windows last night, but saw nothing but cloud cover.
Last night's aurora show (enjoyed by everyone else) took me back to last year, when we finally timed things right and I got to show my wife and son their first northern lights. One of my favorite moments of the year.
Last night's aurora show (enjoyed by everyone else) took me back to last year, when we finally timed things right and I got to show my wife and son their first northern lights. One of my favorite moments of the year.
November 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I did peek out our windows last night, but saw nothing but cloud cover.
Last night's aurora show (enjoyed by everyone else) took me back to last year, when we finally timed things right and I got to show my wife and son their first northern lights. One of my favorite moments of the year.
Last night's aurora show (enjoyed by everyone else) took me back to last year, when we finally timed things right and I got to show my wife and son their first northern lights. One of my favorite moments of the year.
One of the funner moments from my South Africa trip occurred when these two little borbs decided to chase each other on the edge a lagoon.
(They're Black Crakes, btw.)
(They're Black Crakes, btw.)
November 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
One of the funner moments from my South Africa trip occurred when these two little borbs decided to chase each other on the edge a lagoon.
(They're Black Crakes, btw.)
(They're Black Crakes, btw.)
I've witnessed giraffe "courtship" a couple times. It's not so much courtship as a bunch of lonely dudes lined up at one lady's table at a Speed Dating event. They just follow her (third head from right, facing us) until the one hot guy wins her affection. Seems like it's exhausting for her.
November 10, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I've witnessed giraffe "courtship" a couple times. It's not so much courtship as a bunch of lonely dudes lined up at one lady's table at a Speed Dating event. They just follow her (third head from right, facing us) until the one hot guy wins her affection. Seems like it's exhausting for her.
A white hot dog photographed back in the winter of 2020 in Yellowstone.
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
November 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
A white hot dog photographed back in the winter of 2020 in Yellowstone.
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
We actually had two different long-tailed weasels scampering around in this spot at the same time!
Taking a break from Africa pics... here's a significantly cooler locale.
On a peaceful morning in the Great Bear Rainforest, I stepped out on deck to hear the silence of this inlet broken up by the exhales of two humpback whales.
This remains one of my favorite shots from the early years (2009).
On a peaceful morning in the Great Bear Rainforest, I stepped out on deck to hear the silence of this inlet broken up by the exhales of two humpback whales.
This remains one of my favorite shots from the early years (2009).
November 8, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Taking a break from Africa pics... here's a significantly cooler locale.
On a peaceful morning in the Great Bear Rainforest, I stepped out on deck to hear the silence of this inlet broken up by the exhales of two humpback whales.
This remains one of my favorite shots from the early years (2009).
On a peaceful morning in the Great Bear Rainforest, I stepped out on deck to hear the silence of this inlet broken up by the exhales of two humpback whales.
This remains one of my favorite shots from the early years (2009).
African starlings are something else. They're as common as our Rock Pigeons (which are underrated, btw), but even better looking. Here we have the Burchell's and Cape Starlings, photographed during my recent South Africa trip.
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
African starlings are something else. They're as common as our Rock Pigeons (which are underrated, btw), but even better looking. Here we have the Burchell's and Cape Starlings, photographed during my recent South Africa trip.
It's cool tracking animal lineage even in places I visit infrequently.
In South Africa, I reunited with two female leopards (Pics 1 & 2) that I first photographed as twin cubs 11 years ago (Pics 3 & 4). At 11, they're still strong, successful moms, and sport their own mother's long, squarish face.
In South Africa, I reunited with two female leopards (Pics 1 & 2) that I first photographed as twin cubs 11 years ago (Pics 3 & 4). At 11, they're still strong, successful moms, and sport their own mother's long, squarish face.
November 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It's cool tracking animal lineage even in places I visit infrequently.
In South Africa, I reunited with two female leopards (Pics 1 & 2) that I first photographed as twin cubs 11 years ago (Pics 3 & 4). At 11, they're still strong, successful moms, and sport their own mother's long, squarish face.
In South Africa, I reunited with two female leopards (Pics 1 & 2) that I first photographed as twin cubs 11 years ago (Pics 3 & 4). At 11, they're still strong, successful moms, and sport their own mother's long, squarish face.
When I think of Africa, corvids simply don't come to mind. There's no reason a crow *shouldn't* be successful in this environment, but we're usually distracted by other more colorful, exotic species to consider them. Thus, I was excited to get my first decent photo of the Pied Crow on this trip.
November 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
When I think of Africa, corvids simply don't come to mind. There's no reason a crow *shouldn't* be successful in this environment, but we're usually distracted by other more colorful, exotic species to consider them. Thus, I was excited to get my first decent photo of the Pied Crow on this trip.
I should be saving this until the holidays, I suppose, but what the heck.
In South Africa we saw a real "white elephant." Our guide spotted this calf, which looked slightly different from the rest of the herd. With lighter skin, pink highlights, and blonde hair, it was a leucistic elephant!
In South Africa we saw a real "white elephant." Our guide spotted this calf, which looked slightly different from the rest of the herd. With lighter skin, pink highlights, and blonde hair, it was a leucistic elephant!
November 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I should be saving this until the holidays, I suppose, but what the heck.
In South Africa we saw a real "white elephant." Our guide spotted this calf, which looked slightly different from the rest of the herd. With lighter skin, pink highlights, and blonde hair, it was a leucistic elephant!
In South Africa we saw a real "white elephant." Our guide spotted this calf, which looked slightly different from the rest of the herd. With lighter skin, pink highlights, and blonde hair, it was a leucistic elephant!
Continuing with new photos from South Africa...
I think this is the last thing we photographed. Returning to camp on our way to pack up, we encountered a herd of impala. They proceeded to sproing across the track in front of us, offering me an opportunity to play with slow shutter speeds.
I think this is the last thing we photographed. Returning to camp on our way to pack up, we encountered a herd of impala. They proceeded to sproing across the track in front of us, offering me an opportunity to play with slow shutter speeds.
November 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Continuing with new photos from South Africa...
I think this is the last thing we photographed. Returning to camp on our way to pack up, we encountered a herd of impala. They proceeded to sproing across the track in front of us, offering me an opportunity to play with slow shutter speeds.
I think this is the last thing we photographed. Returning to camp on our way to pack up, we encountered a herd of impala. They proceeded to sproing across the track in front of us, offering me an opportunity to play with slow shutter speeds.
I try not to market my trips here as much as I do on other platforms... but it's probably important to mention that I only have TWO open spots left on my entire 2026 tour calendar.
The Zambia: Rivers of Life tour takes place September 6 - 18: www.maxwaugh.com/workshops/za...
The Zambia: Rivers of Life tour takes place September 6 - 18: www.maxwaugh.com/workshops/za...
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM
I try not to market my trips here as much as I do on other platforms... but it's probably important to mention that I only have TWO open spots left on my entire 2026 tour calendar.
The Zambia: Rivers of Life tour takes place September 6 - 18: www.maxwaugh.com/workshops/za...
The Zambia: Rivers of Life tour takes place September 6 - 18: www.maxwaugh.com/workshops/za...