Gallery: Voyages in Papua New Guinea

by WSM staff

Jordan Boersma, an ornithology doctoral student at Washington State University, discovered knowledge about the white-shouldered fairywren, and about the people and cultures, of Papua New Guinea. See his journeys below through his photographs.

Grasslands and mountains of Papua New Guinea — Sunset at the field site in Garuahi village, Milne Bay Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Grasslands in Papua New Guinea with small boat in pond — Rain in the distance from a campsite near Obo, Western Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Jordan Boersma and research assistant set up mist nets in Papua New Guinea — A local research assistant extracts a fairywren from a mistnet in Obo, Western Province (Photo Jason Gregg)

White-shouldered fairywrens on a bush — A male white-shouldered fairywren (Malurus alboscapulatus) “petal-carrying” in an attempt to attract a mate. Color bands are used for differentiating individuals for long-term behavioral studies. (Photo Erik Enbody)

Man in a boat in Papua New Guinea — Watching a storm roll in on the 12-hour boat trip down the Fly River (Photo John A. Jones)

Man holding a bird under a leaf shelter — Staying dry during a mid-morning rain storm at a remote field site in Milne Bay Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

House in Papua New Guinea with fruit, meat and other goods in front — A traditional bounty being collected for a funeral procession in Porotona village, Milne Bay Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Man in kitchen — Cooking lunch over a fire (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Group of kids in Papua New Guinea look at info about birds — School children gather to page through the PNG bird field guide for the first time in Garuahi village, Milne Bay Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Trees in swamp in Papua New Guinea — Tranquil bathing spot in Porotona village
(Photo Jordan Boersma)

Man poles a boat down a river in Papua New Guinea — Arriving at Yoguba, Milne Bay Province, before starting the approximately seven mile muddy trek to the Podagha field site (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Man wades over shallow waterway in Papua New Guinea jungle — Carrying equipment across a river en route to a new field site (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Four men in Papua New Guinea have a good time by rushing water — Members of our Fergusson team in front of a geyser at Dei Dei Hot Springs (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Waterfall in Papua New Guinea — Taking a break during an expedition to appreciate an unexpected massive waterfall (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Three men hike up a trail in Papua New Guinea — Hiking up to a small village on Fergusson Island to enquire about montane avifauna (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Group of men on top of a mountain in Papua New Guinea — Snack break while climbing Mt. Othona during an expedition on Fergusson Island, Milne Bay Province (Photo Jason Gregg)

Loaded boat by shore in Papua New Guinea — Loading up the dinghy with equipment before a four hour trip over rough seas to a new field site (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Men in boat in Papua New Guinea — Chatting during an unusually calm stretch on the dangerous passage to Fergusson Island (Photo Jason Gregg)

Clownfish next to anemone — Clownfish emerging from a an anemone bed off the north coast of Milne Bay Province (Photo Jordan Boersma)

Read about Boersma’s work and experiences in Papua New Guinea.