Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris

04/23/2025

🧟‍♂️ Zombie Ants: Nature's Real-Life Horror Story

Imagine an ant, minding its business, when suddenly a parasitic fly injects an egg into its body. The larva hatches, takes control, and eventually decapitates the ant from the inside out.​
Live Science

Discover the chilling tale of how the decapitating fly Pseudacteon wasmanni turns ants into the walking dead.​

👉 Read more:

"Once the egg hatches, the ant has only a few weeks of life before it succumbs to the manipulations of its attacker, stumbling away from its home and family and then undergoing decapitation from the inside out."

04/23/2025

Say hello to Stefanie Plein, the newest wild soul to join the Cheesemans' crew!

She’s a marine biologist, wildlife photographer, and full-time ocean advocate who's turned her passion for the sea into a life’s work—from dolphin research in Croatia to guiding eco tours in Florida’s coastal wilds.

She’s also a PADI Rescue Diver, sea turtle nest protector, and certified dog-hugger (okay, not officially).

We’re thrilled to have Stefanie on board—drop a welcome wave below! 🌊🐶👋

04/23/2025

🌍 Earth Day Quiz: Answer Reveal! 🌱
How did you do on our eco-brain buster?

Here are the answers you’ve been waiting for:

What percentage of Earth’s species live in rainforests?
🟢 Over 50%! Despite covering only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, rainforests are biodiversity powerhouses.

Which country was the first to include environmental protection in its constitution?
🟢 Ecuador. In 2008, it became the first to recognize nature's rights in its constitution.

How long does it take for a plastic bottle to break down in a landfill?
🟢 Around 450 years. Yep, your water bottle might outlive civilizations.

What is the world’s most endangered marine mammal?
🟢 The vaquita. Fewer than 10 remain in the wild—every one counts.

What percentage of coral reefs are considered at risk due to human activity?
🟢 About 75%. But conservation efforts are making waves in the right direction 🌊

Give yourself a gold star if you got 3 or more right! 🌟
And if you learned something new—that’s a win too.

04/22/2025

Earth Day Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Our Planet? 🌎
Test your knowledge with this fun Earth Day challenge!
Drop your answers in the comments! 🏔️
Check back later in the day for answers! 🌿🐘

04/22/2025

🐾 One Spot. Endless Wild Wonder. 🐾

Alaska’s calling… and there’s one space left on our July 2025 safari!

Join us July 19–August 2 for an epic journey into the heart of Alaska—where brown bears roam, glaciers calve dramatically, and humpbacks breach beside your private boat.

Start with fly-in bear lodges far off the beaten path, then cruise through Prince William Sound for intimate wildlife encounters. With expert guide Scott Davis leading the way, this trip is a dream for photographers and nature lovers alike.

📍 Only one spot left—will it be yours? 🐻 Snag it before it’s gone: https://ow.ly/UhFx50VEaXK

Explore the majestic Alaskan Brown Bears in July 2025 with Cheesemans' wildlife expedition for an unforgettable adventure.

04/22/2025

It’s Earth Day—but for us, it’s more than a day. It’s the heart of everything we do. 🌎
From reducing single-use plastics on trips to funding wildlife conservation around the globe, Cheesemans’ travelers are part of a community that gives back to the planet we all share.
Because when you’ve seen a penguin waddle past an iceberg or locked eyes with a mountain gorilla, protecting Earth becomes personal.

How are you giving back to the planet today?

04/21/2025

Looking for some feathered inspiration this week? 🐦
Our friends at SFBBO are hosting a Birdy Hour with Dr. Katie LaBarbera, diving into landbird conservation and what their research is teaching us about these incredible species.

It’s free, it’s fascinating, and it’s the perfect excuse to geek out about birds with fellow nature lovers.

🗓️ 4/22 | 🕒 5:30pm PST
🎟️ Save your spot: https://ow.ly/B2IJ50VELzH

We’ll definitely be tuning in!

Check out Birdy Hour with Dr. Katie LaBarbera by San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory!

04/21/2025

Even spiders have family rules… kind of. 🕷️ Labyrinth spiders won’t eat their siblings—unless those siblings are already dead. Then it’s dinner time.
Survival, spider-style:
https://ow.ly/jrHP50Vym81

Social signals stop young labyrinth spiders from hunting their siblings even when they are starving. However, the cannibalistic spiderlings quickly feed on the corpses of their brothers and sisters.

04/20/2025

🦜 Calling all birders! Only two spots left to join expert Jose Luna on a deep dive into Colombia’s incredible biodiversity.
From cloud forests to coastal wetlands, this trip is a birder’s dream—filled with antpittas, hummingbirds, and photographic magic.
📅 July 16–31, 2025
🔗 https://ow.ly/QjIX50VEeXw
📷 Grace Chen

04/19/2025

🕒 The countdown is on!
Tomorrow we sail out on Monterey Bay for a full day of whale watching aboard the Sea Wolf. And guess what? There are still spots open for spontaneous adventurers.

Whales. Dolphins. Sea breezes. Need we say more?
➡️ Book now: https://ow.ly/MWq750VCtly

📹 Ted Cheeseman

04/19/2025

🍂 Norway’s Lofoten Islands: where dramatic fjords meet autumn fire.
Sail, hike, and photograph your way through this Arctic paradise with Scott Davis as your guide. And hey, the northern lights might just dance for you.
📅 Sept 11–23, 2025
🔗 https://cheesemans.com/trips/lofoten-sep2025
Only 3 spots left!

04/18/2025

Nature isn’t always gentle—but it’s always real.

In this intense moment from Yellowstone, the Junction Butte wolf pack attempts to take down a bison calf. The calf and its mother make a desperate run—and the herd rushes in to help. It’s a tough watch, but also a testament to the power of instinct, defense, and the wild balance of predator and prey.

This time, the wolves didn’t win—but every player in this scene was just trying to survive.

Watch the raw, unfiltered footage (courtesy of Julie Argyle):
https://ow.ly/K0GJ50VCXIV

Yellowstone National Park’s Junction Butte wolf pack failed in a recent attempt to bring down a yearling bison calf. The calf and its mother ran to a group o...

04/18/2025

🌍 Conservation Spotlight: Saving the Serengeti 🦓
As the Great Migration continues, conservationists work tirelessly to protect critical migration corridors. Learn how sustainable tourism supports these efforts: https://ow.ly/snXR50VzcQW

By traveling with Cheesemans’ to Tanzania, you are participating in a nature-based tourism experience that is key to enhancing and...

04/18/2025

👀 Ever seen a bird that looks like a tree stump and can see with its eyes closed? Meet the Great Potoo! 🌳 This master of camouflage has a haunting growl and a seriously unique way of blending into its surroundings. 🪶
Check out this fascinating article to learn more about one of nature's most mysterious birds!
🔗

Throughout the night, great potoos emit a loud, moaning growl that has earned the bird a mythical status, with some communities believing the sounds to be children calling for lost parents.

04/18/2025

🐋 Weekend forecast: Chance of whales.
Still haven’t made plans for Sunday? Monterey Bay is serving up tail slaps, spouts, and dolphin dances—and we’ve got spots left aboard the Sea Wolf.

Nature’s throwing a party. You in?
➡️ Save your seat: https://ow.ly/2riw50VCsrj

📹 Ted Cheeseman

04/17/2025

🚶‍♂️💪 Ever wish you had a little extra power while exploring rugged terrain? This futuristic exoskeleton could make that a reality! 🦾 The Hypershell exoskeleton is designed to help you climb cliffs and tackle tough hikes with ease. 🌄 Could using something like this change how you experience our trips?
Read more: https://ow.ly/OcPb50Vw0AF
Let us know your thoughts! 💭

The Hypershell Pro X is a hiking exoskeleton made for going harder for longer, or for getting less from what you normally do.

04/17/2025

🚨 Last-minute adventure alert! 🚨
We’re heading out on Monterey Bay this Sunday aboard the Sea Wolf, and you're invited! With spots still open, it’s the perfect chance to spot whales, dolphins, and seabirds galore. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just in it for the marine magic, this is your call to the wild.

➡️ Grab your spot: https://ow.ly/jpxO50VCrKq

📹 Ted Cheeseman

04/17/2025

Today we raise a wing for the underdogs of the animal world—it’s International Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇
Bats often get a bad rap, but they’re crucial for ecosystems:
🌼 They pollinate flowers
🦟 They control insect populations
🌍 And some help regenerate forests through seed dispersal

You might see bats on our Madagascar or South American adventures—often darting through dusk skies while the rest of the world sleeps.
Let’s celebrate these night-flying MVPs and help change the narrative from spooky to spectacular.

What’s the coolest bat you’ve ever seen?