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Cameron Highlands

2010-09-08T18:51:00.009+08:00

Cameron Highlands is a scenic highland located in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. It is also famous for its cooling climate and tea plantations.

Photo taken in August 2010.

Birds Nesting Habitat Selection Behaviour In Metropolitan Garden

2010-07-01T00:01:00.006+08:00

The title sound technical. But i am not a bird expert. Not even a bird enthusiast. Only a nature lover. I noticed some very intriguing phenomena displayed by garden birds in my usual jogging place, particularly about their nesting sites selection.

Metropolitan Garden, Relau, Penang, located beside a residential area on one side and "forested area" (Rubber estate and durian orchard) on the other. It is a garden at "forest" edge with bright sunlight and greenery. There are many species of birds in this garden. Just to name some that i often see, various species of bulbul, sunbird, dove, kingfisher, barbet, oriole, robin, flycatcher, tailorbird, starling, myna, sparrow, malkoha, pigeon (jungle), drongo, dollarbird, etc.

This garden receives a lot of morning sun as its east (and south) are relatively lower than the hilly west and north. This is an ideal place for many insects and other small animals who need warmth in the morning to activate their system. These small creatures spelled "Food" to birds.

The abundance sunlight also encourage growth of various plants such as figs and berries which attract birds.

However, this is also a paradise for other medium size animals. Monitor lizard, civet cat, snake, squirrel, and occasionally, even domestic dogs and cats can be found in this garden since orchard and residential area are just in the adjacent. These animals pose very serious threats to birds here.

This garden also well equipped with recreational infrastructures and receives many visitors everyday. As a layman, i thought human presence associated with these infrastructures can negatively affects avian behaviour. To my great surprise, many birds there not only tolerated human presence, but in fact, has taken advantage of man as a positive physical environmental element for their survival and reproduction. You will see what i mean here.

I like this first example. Guess where i found this 2 lovely bulbul chicks.

The nest located right at the main entrance to the garden. 5 ft from ground level, at the hedge plant (See arrow below). This location receives highest human traffic everyday.

What about this munia nest?

There are quite a number of munia nests at different locations in this garden. This specific one situated right in the center of activity field, in a Christmas tree at eye level.

And this spiderhunter?

It hang down from a twig right on top of a walkway, only about 10 ft high. Children play underneath it everyday.

And this is quite an unusual bird to me, even though it could be common to birdwatchers, the Tickell's blue flycatcher.

See the mom feeds the baby. Where is the nest located?

Well, not far from where i do my sit-up and legs stretching. And it is at a height within hand reach.

A little story to tell about this Tickell's blue flycatcher nest. One day there was a monitor lizard roamed about searching for food. As it went near the nest, the Tickell's parents turned aggressive. The mom stood on a rock in between the lizard and the nest with warning calls. As the lizard is only 5 ft away and heading toward the nest, i stepped in (wrong thing to do huh? should have leave it to nature to take its course?). I moved toward them with stones in my hand. The lizard retreated, the Tickell's mom moved to a higher branch. I stayed just 10 ft in front of the nest to make sure the lizard is not returning. To my surprise, the Tickell's parents continued to feed the chick with my presence so near to the nest. Apparently they did not consider me as a threat!

There are many other birds nesting here. For example, i found this young fledgeling of white-vented myna.

It was perching on a tree branch in front of this worker on the jogging track. It didn't show any fear with my (and the worker) presence. Neither its parents showed any sign of agitation. (I didn't locate the nest, guess it must be just nearby).

Many other examples of nesting site location that associate closely with human presence.

I believed this is nothing new to bird enthusiasts. But to me, i am very much intrigued by how "intelligence" these garden birds are. In this garden, animals such as monitor lizard (plenty of them), squirrel (especially during durian seasons), snake, civet cat and probably other predatory birds are more significant threats to them. Human is no longer a threat. In fact, the shy nature of these predating animals (toward human being) has somehow instinctively sensed by these garden birds. The nesting sites selection are done carefully with safety in mind, and human being is one of the important safety elements.

We, human rear dogs to take care of our home. These garden birds make use of us to take care of theirs!

Puncak Janing Waterfall

2010-06-21T22:03:00.010+08:00

Even as a photography novice, i found it challenging to take photo in this unique recreational place.

Poorly designed concrete structures situated along and across beautiful stream and waterfalls, there is totally no concept of theme matching to this nature environment. Amazing amount of rubbish competing tightly with the number of stream pebbles. This is really an eyesore and sad thing to see.

Taking photo here is challenging yet interesting. Extra thought has to be given to avoid or tone down the "negative elements" in order to bring out the beautiful side of this place. Close-up of waterfalls, stream pebbles or water flow is near impossible without capturing plastic bags or disposable lunch box along. Distance photography has to take care of concrete structures which are not in harmony with its environment. The use of natural boulders, trees, lighting, shadow as well as shooting angle are the best i could think of in my attempts. Hope i have done enough to show you this "beautiful" place:

Puncak Janing Waterfall, located in a forested area in Padang Terap district of Kedah state, about 50Km north to Alor Setar. Gazetted as Puncak Janing Recreational Forest in Bukit Perangin Forest Reserve. It is a popular place for picnic, swimming, jungle trekking, mountain biking and camping.

Pedu Lake

2010-06-16T17:59:00.012+08:00

Pedu Lake - Serenity beyond words.
*Click the pictures below to view larger print.

Pedu Lake, a man made lake located in the state of Kedah, Malaysia.

It covers an area of 75 square kilometer and surrounded by tropical rainforest.

Stalking The Wild Slipper

2010-05-23T01:01:00.002+08:00

Once upon a time, at the north of Strait of Melacca, there is an island called Pearl of Orient.

In the island, a hill called Penang Hill sit right at the center.

The hill is covered by thick layer of tropical rain forest. With its cooling temperature and fresh air, it has become a beloved retreat for locals and many European since the time of Francis Light.

That time, Penang Hill is famous for its botanical diversity. It attracts researchers around the world. Became a world famous pot of invaluable botanical asset.

That time, Monkey Cup and Slipper Orchid are amongst the famous and common plants of interest found abundantly in the hill.

Fast forward.
Today, while Monkey Cup survive the challenges of time, wild Slipper Orchid has become a legend in Penang Hilll.

While it is commonly cultivated in South East Asia, wild specimen in Penang hill is on the thin line of extinction. Ask all the Penangites, orchid enthusiast and researchers include, it is not surprise none of them have actually seen a wild specimen in its natural habitat of Penang Hill before.

However, In very few spots undiscovered by people, still, the legend's DNA survive.

Paphiopedilum barbatum, to be exact the scientific name. It grows in granite rock crevices containing moss and decaying leaves in shaded valleys. It demands plentiful rainfall and high humidity that ensure its roots are always moist.

Its seeds only germinate when some specific fungus is present. The hyphae of this fungus penetrate the seed and the seed digest the hyphae for nutrient. It is a vulnerable ecosystem. The extinction of paphiopedilum barbatum from 99.99% of Penang Hill has proven the case.

The wild Slipper Orchid with its stunning flowers and its rarity has make them highly attractive to orchid collectors and growers. Paphiopedilum barbatum is listed on Appendix I of CITES. Trade in wild specimen is prohibited.

Although it is now extensively cultivated in South East Asia countries like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as in Europe. This does not ease the pressure of this striking wild Slipper Orchid, it remains highly sought after by collectors for its wild genes stock.

Collection of wild Slipper Orchid is not an issue now in Penang Hill as it is so rare that any expedition by collectors will end empty handed. However, disturbance to the unique ecosystem and lose of habitat remain a serious and real threat.

Facts

Kingdom : Plantae
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Liliopsida
Order : Orchidales
Family : Orchidaceae
Genus : Paphiopedilum
Size : Stem height: up to 35 cm

Description
The scientific name of this particularly handsome orchid is very appropriate; pedilon is the Greek word for slipper and Paphos is a town in Cyprus, the favourite island of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty . ‘Slipper' refers to one of the petals, called the lip, which forms a shoe-like structure that is deep purple at the tip, turning paler towards the base. The other petals of the flowers are greenish-white, blending into purple veins towards the edge, and the margins bear small hairs and small, blackish warts. The pointed, green, mottled leaves of Paphiopedilum barbatum measure 10 to 15 centimetres in length, and each stem bears just one or occasionally two flowers.

Biology
The colour, patterns and structure of Paphiopedilum barbatum flowers, have all evolved to attract insect pollinators. An insect, lured to the attractive flower, will be guided by the colourful markings and ridges to the shoe-like lip. The inside walls of the lip are slippery and so the only way out for the insect is via a ladder of hairs that takes the insect past the stigma where pollen is deposited.
After pollination, the petals fade, the stigma closes up, and the ovary begins to swell. The ovary gradually develops into a green pod that turns yellow as it matures. When mature, the pod bursts open to release powdery, almost microscopic seeds that are so light they can be carried on air currents for hundreds of kilometres.
Wherever the tiny seeds lands, they will only germinate if a certain fungus is present. The thread-like strands (or hyphae) that make up the fungus penetrate the orchid seed, and the seed then begins to digest the hyphae, thus gaining the nutrients required for growth.

Giant Python

2010-04-03T21:10:00.016+08:00

Men eat snake!

This is a shocking video recorded on 2nd February 2010 in a remote place called Jabi, Kedah state, peninsula Malaysia. 2 reticulated pythons were captured by local and sold to foreign workers (Vietnamese) work there.

One of the snake was so huge, measured 25 ft. Python at this length can easily swallow an adult. It's a female with eggs inside her.

Both the pythons ended up on dining table, nothing left. What about the skin? Not became shoes or hand bags, it was boiled, chopped into small pieces, cooked and eaten as well.

Reticulated python is relatively common in Malaysia. Its habitat include jungle and plantations. They can also be found near villages where they prey on domestic animals like chicken, goat, etc. However, their main preys are wild animals such as deer, wild boar, birds, etc. Due to deforestation by human activities, they were forced to push their resilient survival and adaptability skills to a higher level. They managed to make their way into urban area, staying mainly in drainage systems preying on rats, dogs, cats, etc. They are not consider a threat to human and attack cases are extremely rare. Instead, they usually become victim when encounter with human.

Although reticulated python (Python reticulatus ) is not on the endangered species list, it is still a protected animal. Catching, selling and killing are illegal.

Kite Flyer

2010-02-18T22:34:00.027+08:00

Once upon a time, when i was a little boy, i used to make my own kites and flied them together with other kids....

Every year when the dry season arrive around the months of January to March, the wind is strong, the sky is blue, the sun is hot, the paddies are dry, and the kids are joy..

The barren paddies are not lonely! Everybody get together with their own designs and inventions.

The kite in Malay language is called "Wau". Traditionally, there are various types of Malay kites, wau bulan, wau merak, wau helang, wau daun, wau jalabudi, etc.

This is a wau bulan.

This is wau camar.

To take off, it needs some helps to "lambung" it a little. "Lambung" is to push the kite to the sky while the kite flyer pull the string to raise it up.

Anyone can do the lambung.

Not all flight are successful. Sometime when the weight balancing of the wau is not perfect, it can resulted in clash landing very soon after took off.

That isn't a big problem usually. Inserting something to either side of the wings will fix the problem.

If that doesn't work, then it needs serious investigation and remedy actions from the young engineers.

When the kite is in the sky, it still needs some maneuvers to beat the irregular wind directions. This will put the kite flyer's skills into good test.

And there are always spectators around.

Trying to shoot down the kites?

Innovative spectators built their "nest" to observe kites in the sky at their comfort.

Flying kite is about joys .......

..........it's a family affair.

.........it's about friendship.....

........ about childhood .....

I lift my kite to the sky

Until it is only a dot that flying high

I hope it will escape from my eyes

Touches the stars of my life

18 Storey Apartment On Fire

2009-08-05T21:35:00.016+08:00

3:00 am on 15th July 2009, 2 residence units at the top floor of an 18 storey apartment in Penang island was on fire. 10 fire engines rushed to the scene but were of no help as the water couldn't reach the height.

The fire danced wildly in the wind. Red hot debris dropped as will.

With the help of the world most powerful flash light, this image captured the details of the building on fire.

The fire was put off at around 4:30am the same morning. 2 units were burned into ashes, no life casualty.

Temenggor Lake - Belum Valley II

2009-03-16T07:30:00.047+08:00

School, tuition classes, piano class, martial art class, tennis lesson, dance lesson, computer game, internet chatting, sms-ing, emails, internet "friend-finder"........ These activities sound familiar?

Yes, it equate today's kids every day's life.

Is this a good life style for kids ? ...well, there is no right or wrong answer.

But, today there are still kids live a totally different life style. These kids live in rain forest without electricity, pipe water supply. There is zero modern elements in their world.

So, what are these kids doing everyday? I have no idea. But from their faces, i thought i can "feel" how's their life like.

Pretty and shy.

Two handsome ones.

Three charming ones.

Two cute ones.

Friends.

Morning warming up.

Three brothers.

Kids gang.

Sweet in the hand, from an outside visitor. 2 minutes later it will be on the floor.

Good brothers.

Playmates.

A toy from modern world.

They have to help up too.

A teenager. Has to work, using an "outside" sponsored vehicle. Ferrying visitors.

Elder members around the kids.

A young mother with her love one.

Free up both hands for everyday chores.

Three generations relaxing.

The adults.

Woman also need to do heavy works.

Husband and wife.

Three hunters.

Without any modern elements of city kids. Do you think i missed something in my life? Well, i have a happy
life and happy family. And i love my home. I don't feel i missed anything, do you feel you missed anything huh, city kids?

Monkeys by tails swing,
Brilliant birds sing,

Hum of mosquito, slithering serpent,
Days in a rain forest are days so well spent,

Wood creepers creeping, up the bark of the giants,
Woodpeckers pecking, it never is silent,

Rain forest, rain forest, oh nice to live there,
Listening, watching, breathing the warm air.......

Temenggor Lake - Belum Valley I

2009-02-22T15:03:00.017+08:00

Tasik Temenggor, located in the state of Perak, Malaysia. It is the second largest man-made lake. The Belum-Temenggor is the largest forest complex in Peninsular Malaysia, it's as old as 130 million years, older than the jungle of the Amazon or Congo.

Belum has been gazetted as a forest reserve while the rest are open for development and facing considerable deforestation due to logging.

I have digitally recorded some images inside an orang asli (aboriginal people) settlement and surrounding areas ......

Part I

Rafflesia kerrii, Corpse Without Stink

2009-01-15T00:01:00.001+08:00

Rafflesia kerrii, Lojing Highland, Kelatan, Malaysia.

Rafflesia, generally also known as corpse flower which got this nick due to its rotting meat or corpse smell.

However, a little surprise as my first personal experience revealed, there wasn't any smell at all. May be it is just this specific species, the Rafflesia kerrii of Lojing Highland, Kelatan, Malaysia.

It has got no true roots, leaves, stems. It is an endoparasite of a type of vine in genus tetrastigma (vitaceae).

See the bending plant that climbing its way up the tree on the foreground? This is the vine, host to the Rafflesia.

Let's look at various stages of the flower development.

Fresh and smaller bud "germinate" from the Forest floor.

Getting slightly bigger.....

.....and bigger.....

......and even bigger....... See the rapid growing of internal layers that force open the outer layers.

At the later stage, the real petals enlarged and matured to expose itself.

And one by one the petals open up. In this picture below, two petals have fully opened while the other three are half opened.

Finally, a full bloom. I don't smell anything, but it attracts insects and flies.

Let's get closer and closer on the flower.

And let's see the ending.

Stalking The World Largest Flower, The Rafflesia

2009-01-03T22:14:00.012+08:00

Rafflesia kerrii. Lojing Highland, Kelatan, Malaysia.

Rafflesia, the world largest flower, is a parasitic flowering plant. It was first discovered in the Indonesia rain forest in year 1818, and named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. It contains approximately 27 species, all found in southeastern Asia, on the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines. The plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. It is an endoparasite of vines in the genus Tetrastigma (Vitaceae), spreading its root-like haustoria inside the tissue of the vine. The only part of the plant that can be seen outside the host vine is the five-petaled flower. In some species, the flower may be over 100 centimetres (39 in) in diameter, and weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb). The flowers of some species smell like rotting meat., and it attracts insects, which transport pollen from male to female flowers. Little is known about seed dispersal. Rafflesia is also an official state flower of Sabah in Malaysia, and for the Surat Thani Province, Thailand.

A trip to Lojing Highland, Kelatan, Malaysia, to try our luck in looking for this giant flower.

The journey starts with greeting faces of local kids, the aborigine.

And this is the aborigine guide.

It was a muddy track. Walking on slippery mud filled track for about 2 and half hours before reaching the location where the Rafflesia bloom.

Refreshing streams and waterfalls along the way.

Weird plant (was it a plant?) that bloom from the jungle floor.

Tiger footprint, still fresh, may be walk by the night before.

Can't see the print? I photoshop it a bit. Now see it?

A dead animal (cat family?) with blood still dripping was found beside the track.

The first sight of the Rafflesia was a big bud hiding beside a waterfall.

See the size while i squat beside it.

And finally, a full bloom Rafflesia (Rafflesia kerrii to be specific) sat quietly beside a stream.

And it's me again sat beside it to show the size. It was measured 32 inches across.

Suzhou

2008-12-29T00:01:00.005+08:00

Suzhou, China. 苏州, 中国

Suzhou, one of the oldest town in China, famous for its meticulously designed garden and as an important centre for silk industry.

Let's walk around the town for some street's views:

Health conscious people. Wake up early in the morning for exercises.

Streets with old buildings.

Night scenes of streets with rather modern buildings.

The people.

Work hard at night for college fees.

Lanes among old buildings have become tourist attraction. Commercial activities are active.

Suzhou is famous for its gardens.

Houses along channel with bridges and boats, one of the Suzhou identity.

Night Scene.

Shanghai

2008-12-07T22:13:00.013+08:00

Shanghai, China. 上海, 中国.

Shanghai, probably the largest city in China and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Shanghai has grown into an international metropolis on par with New York and Paris in just ten years time.

A visit to Shanghai let me took home a few city views:

Scenery around Shanghai Museum and People's Square (人民广场).

Places with old buildings (Cheng Huang Miao area 城隍庙).

Nanjing Road (南京路). Full of people.

Nanjing Road night scene.

Old buildings along the Bund(外滩).

Shanghai landmark, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠电视塔) beside Huangpu River (黄浦江).

KLCC Twin Peak

2008-11-24T21:58:00.010+08:00

KLCC Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, once the world tallest building, comes in twin.

Let's look at this twin brothers' different mood.....

Sound of Silence

2008-10-02T11:37:00.021+08:00

Everyday, everywhere, we are blasted with man made sound - traffic, construction, cell phones, TV, airplane, .... We constantly immerse ourselves in these noises while busy with works.

Our mind and soul need recharging. We need a quiet and peaceful place to cleanse ourselves. But complete silence will drive you insane.

We do not need a complete absence of sound, but to be in a place that sound the way the world did before cell phones and cars were invented. Around us remain places where the constant din of civilization simply drops away.

You don't need to go far in the middle of nowhere. Your nearest natural parks are ideal. Once you walk over the border it's like having the world to yourself. All noises are quickly absorbed by forest. Peace and quiet lie behind every trees you pass by. Only birds and cicadas whisper softly into your ears like the last words of a bedtime tale.

Sometime, even noise can be quiet in its own way. Forest streams and waterfalls may be loud with curtains of water. But it is the sound that is profoundly exhilarating.

Immerse in spray of nature's pure power.

As the man made cacophony subsides, we find ourselves in nature, attending to the gentle vocalizations of the numinous. We clear the channels and dial in to the broadcasts of our soul.

Who knows what you might think when you are somewhere quiet enough to think?

Who knows what you might actually hear?

George Town

2008-08-12T21:50:00.018+08:00

Recently listed as Unesco World Heritage Site, George Town of Penang Island, Malaysia, has developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchange between East and West in the Strait of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed this town with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible.... Featuring residential and commercial buildings, George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. This town constitute a unique architectural and cultural town scape without parallel anywhere else in East and Southeast Asia.

An easy morning ride between the streets of George Town discovered the unique beauty of every corners.

The buildings and streets

The Five Foot Way

The art, a closer look at the Five Foot Way

The Penang people and activities

Did you share the same feeling of mine? ..... the quietness of these pictures, it is like images in the memory.... Absolutely quiet.

Capture The Light

2008-07-19T00:03:00.025+08:00

I like to capture the magic the light display itself.

Many people abhor strong sunlight when taking pictures as the contrast of brightness is considered a head ache. But i somehow just love the dramatic effects under such condition.

Just a few photo to share with you. What do you think? I like these pictures and enjoy the process of taking them.

Flowers that highlighted by afternoon sun.

Dried branches that sieved the early morning ray.

The morning light laid a layer of green carpet on rocks.

The jungle answering morning call of the sun.

Alone, enjoying sunbath.

Playing with the light captured on its wings.

The sweetness of first ray in the morning.

This is a haunted house. The light from window has put all spirits into silence.

A pre-war building. Bath in the same sun light for some 80 years.

Morning Bath

2008-07-10T19:58:00.009+08:00

After a hot night. A morning bath surely enjoyable.

Ahhh....So good to get wet! What is happening? I have never experienced such a hot night before....

La~lalala~ lala~~..... A little brush on my armpit.....la~lala~~

Uh~~!!! Arghhh!!~~~ What a itchy neck ! ~~ Argh !!!

Oh~Yah! My beak need a good brushing and sharpening....

Excuse me~~~~ Please turn your head, pee-pee time ~~

Annddd,.~~~ Umm``...Uummm```... Keep your distant!! And close your nose!!.. I am doing the business!!!

OK, I am finish. Huh?! Where is the sun?? I need a good bask to dry up!!!

Strange!? What time is it? It's almost 10am !!! The sun just appear !?? The earth must be crazy!

Aaahh~~~~ Finally, i am dry. See how clean and how handsome i am. Hehehe...

Sungai Lembing

2008-05-30T23:18:00.012+08:00

Ei Dorado of the East, was one of the richest town in Pahang state, Malaysia. Tin mining industries started in 1880s under British control. The mining activities stop in 1980s due to high operational cost.

The icon of Sungai Lembing.

This is my second visit to Sungai Lembing. The last visit was nearly 20 years ago. I noticed no changes since that time. The town is declining as people are moving away. The town is under water almost every year during monsoon season with water from river just beside the town.

Sungai Lembing with hanging bridge.

The quiet town. Look a bit like cowboy town in the Wild Wild West.

The town is visited by tourists as well as locals especially during weekends and holidays for sunrise viewing at Bukit Panorama.

Borobudur of Sungai Lembing? No, it is an abandoned tin mine. The operation stopped in 1980s and the building was left to ruin.

The pit mine is the largest and deepest in the world. Total length of the tunnel is 322Km and goes as deep as 700m.

The entrance of a tunnel.

The tunnel network.

Rainbow Waterfall is another must see place in Sungai Lembing. However, it involved nearly 2 hours of dirt track on 4 wheel drive or small high horse power lorry and about an hour hiking through jungle and streams. But the view worth the hard journey. The rainbow will emerge every morning as long as there is sunlight, and as low as you can touch it or sit on it.

Gua Charas is another cave system not far from Sungai Lembing town.

Sunrise view from Sungai Lembing town.

KH7883 Reunion

2008-05-05T00:01:00.006+08:00

3-4 May 2008.
After 25 years.
KH7883 Reunion.
An unusual gathering.

Yes, this is the very same latch 25 years ago, let's open it and see.....

The welcoming

The memory lane

The dinner, the songs, the yoga, the Feng Shui talk, the ping-pong, the harmonica, the guitar, the fun, the friends, the teachers, the joy....

Photo session, class by class.

The headmaster. Ha, the first time i listen to his speech in Mandarin.

The teachers

The airshow, the dialogue between 3 generations, the fun..

A little thing for the beloved school.

The team, ....

And the hero, team leader.

Sekolah Menengah Keat Hwa

Alor Star

Kedah

1978 - Remove class

1983 - Form 5

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis II

2008-04-16T21:44:00.001+08:00

Bunga Raya. National flower of Malaysia.

Hi, just to share with you some of my pictures collection of this beautiful tropical flower. More pictures at my previous post: http://cmc-cmc.blogspot.com/search/label/Flower%20-%20Hibiscus%20I

Secret Waterfall

2008-04-02T21:25:00.010+08:00

Penang Hill, Penang island, Malaysia

There is a secret place somewhere in the jungle of Penang Hill.
We called it Secret Waterfall.
In there live a number of fauna and flora that least expected to survive on the island today.

During my very few visits over the past years, I have come across many different types of snakes. There was even once i accidentally stepped on a little unidentified albino snake. Abundance of wild orchids including slipper orchid can also be found there. Flying lizards and a rather unusual agamid, angle head lizard was amongst the surprises. Many more unexpected flora and dwellers are believed to have flourished there without interference.

I won't tell you the exact location of this Secret Waterfall. I won't even show you any photo of this place. This place deserve complete protection. However, I can illustrate a few waterfalls scene in water colour painting to show you how peaceful this place is.

I hope you won't search for it base on my paintings. Let it continue to be a Secret Waterfall.

Point And Shoot Digicam II

2008-02-21T21:41:00.018+08:00

Make the Impossible Possible.

Again, i would like to share with you how i enjoy photography with a point and shoot digicam my own way.

To me the term "point & shoot" itself has already suggested there is no rules to follow in using this type of camera. The users are suppose to shoot freely as they wish, with good results. In other words, don't get yourself limited by "theories" or rules on how to take "good" photograph as suggested in books, internet, or any "photography guidelines".

I prefer to just go out there, point my digicam to anything that is beautiful to my eyes, and snap. But of course don't expect a view that is not beautiful to turn out like a master piece from a profesional.

The following are my approaches on enjoying the fun of point and shoot:

Frame All I See As Beautiful

If you go for outing, just "point & shoot" what is pleasing to your eyes. Such as these two pictures below. Just remember to make sure the view that is pleasing to your eyes falls within the frame of your digicam LCD. As for the beach picture below, in fact the leaves at the foreground are important elements that beautify the view when you look at the jetty. Do not shift your position to avoid the leaves when you take the picture.

As for this lighthouse, It drew my attention more when it was partially blocked by the red bricks. So i took the picture inclusive of the bricks.

Kids. Lovely Subject
Sometime it is easy to get interesting pictures. Especially when the subjects involve kids.

Just point & shoot any way you like. Their smiles are always sweet.

Unusual Places. Everthing Is Beautiful
After stay in urban city for many years, everything in a rural village is interesting. I just can't stop point and shoot every corners of a village. Ducks! nothing special with these ducks. But, i don't see ducks in city....

What a lovely view. A father fish beside a pond accompanied by his daugther.

I am lucky that there are many paddy fields in my hometown. But Paddies are not something common throughout whole Malaysia.

Look Up

We usually don't look up. Try to look up, you will see many interesting things up there.

Look Down

Bird view of even something simple may appear interesting.

Against The Light

When the light(sun) is right infront of you, don't give up no matter how glaring it is. For me i'll continue to look for something to point & shoot. Very often the results are extraordinary.

I particulary like the way the sun give my subjects highlite.

I insisted to take the water lily picture even the reflection from the leave was so glaring. At the end i like this picture very much. The silver leaves make it a unique piece of photograph.

Shaky Hands, No Problem

When it is not bright enough, people may thinks that is the limitation for point & shoot digicam. But i would like to believe that there shouldn't be any limitation for this type of digicam. People are talking about the slow shutter speed when it is dark. The image will blur due to hand movement unless a tripod is used. But, i kind of like this abstract art.

And a water colour painting.

No Subjects to Shoot?

Well, sometime when i see something nice and quickily pick up my digicam wanting to press the shutter, i wasn't clear about what is the main subject that i want to capture. I press the shutter anyway without thinking. And i like the results very much, ....until now i still not clear which is the main subject.

Well, you may not agree with me, but that is the way i use my point & shoot digicam. No rules, no limitations, only total freedom.

Still have no idea what you want to shoot? What about yourself? Just like me, sometime i take picture of myself, in my own way.

Angle Head Lizard

2007-12-29T09:03:00.001+08:00

Coated with patchy shades of forest green skin, a bizarre turquoise stomach colour with striking yellow spots, a high handsome sail on its head and back, Angle Head Lizard (Gonocephalus grandis), also called Giant Forest Dragon or Giant Angle Head Lizard is an exotic and extremely beautiful reptile found in tropical rain forest of Southeast Asia.

A male angle head lizard

The female angle head lizard

They are however not commonly seen. In fact it is quite rare to encounter them in most of the tropical rain forest. This is partly due to its superb camouflage capability and largely, of their stringent demand for specific environmental conditions. They only found in pockets of areas in a large rain-forested land. Each pocket could be of high population density and you may even find couple of them in one tree. This is also their fatal weak point in surviving. Diseases, prey, illegal collecting, forest clearing, changes of habitat's nature micro-conditions, etc. could wipe out the whole population.

An angle head lizard came out in the morning for first ray of morning sunlight penetrate through the canopy.

Angle head lizard is a perfect potential choice for hobbyist, particularly exotic reptile hobbyist. But, have you ever wonder why such an outstanding candidate almost totally failed so far to gain popularity in pets market? Well, i am glad and relieve that it failed in this aspect. This will make its chances of survivor in its natural habitat brighter.

Basking in a partially shaded branch.

Dear hobbyist, forget about this species in your garden. They won't do well in captivity. They are easily stressed in captive, make your life miserable in trying to keep them, and at the end they will still die and cause heart pain to you due to a burned pocket in acquiring them.

This lizard required extremely high humidity. They only found on the first layer of trees along running stream in thick rain forest. They often sit quietly on branches extended over running stream in the morning, basking in thin rays of sunlight that penetrate through gaps of leaves in higher canopy. They will not bask themselves on top of canopy for full sunlight, it is too hot and dry for them, and very expose to preying animals like birds and monkey. They also demanding for trees infected by parasitic plants on its branches, or branches that overgrown by creepers. These are the sites that collect forest debris, an active bio-activity site. A warm and ideal sites for angle head lizard to deposit their eggs.

A male angle head lizard warming up its body and will soon look for his breakfast (insects).

A male angle head lizard in a mating mode. The colour turned reddish at certain parts of the body. Also note the broken sail on its back, the result from fighting with other males. The dominant one wins the mate.

A female angle head lizard that will cause a big fights amongst males during mating seasons.

A video showing the wild angle head lizards, both male and female in their natural habitat.

All the above angle head lizard pictures and video were taken in a rain forest at their natural habitat in Kedah, a northern state of Malaysia.
Hey guys, forget about the idea of keeping them as pet. I know this species sometime is on sale on inter net. They are mostly wild caught from Southeast Asia. Believe me, they won't survive well in your cage no matter what. They will stressed to death once you take them away from their natural habitat. If you insist, you need to "de-stress" them. They need to see the forest and the stream, to hear the running water below them, to feel the humidity, ...... Meaning to say, you need to have the whole tropical rain forest with running streams and all other required natural conditions at home. Can you afford it?

Selfish Ants

2007-12-25T09:32:00.001+08:00

Ants, generally thought to be a communal creature, supposedly operate in an unified entity within a colony. Cooperate amongst themselves on daily chores such as nest building, cleaning and repairing, food searching, feeding of queens and babies, ward off intruders, fight ants from other colonies, etc.

Well, ever wonder how disciplined ants as an individual? Is there naughty ant that violate house rules? Is there any bad guys amongst them in a colony?

Human are supposedly a communal creature too, and the most intelligent one. But we all know there are bad guys amongst us. Greedy, selfish, cruel, dishonest, violence, uncooperative, jealousy, ...and many more ugly persanalities are just some examples of "normal" characters found amongst human.

The following video captured the selfish part of the ants. Several ants are pulling an earthworm found on a tropical rain forest floor in Malaysia. They are not pulling it in one direction towards the nest for sharing, but trying to get their own share. Ants that successfully get a chunk of the worm will run to a hidden place to enjoy it himself. Perhaps this is just a "human" part of the ants.

Luffa Sponge

2007-12-13T22:18:00.000+08:00

Sponge gourd, rag gourd or the luffa gourd is a type of gourd my farmer friend Leong Kah Ho plants beside the paddy that he works. "It is an easy part time task with fruitful result." He said with a cherish smile.
He harvests the fibrous matured gourd, skin, wash and dry them. This is one of the many other activities he carries out part time after returns from the paddy. He sometime sells the dried sponges at local market, or gives them to charity body for charity sales.

The Luffa (Loofah or Loofa) sponge is commonly used in Southeast Asia countries as a general scrub in kitchen. Ideal for dish washing or anything that needs scrubbing without scratching the surface. Non-stick cookware is one of the example.

The Luffa sponge is also used for bathing, and it is called bathing sponge or shower sponge. Many commercial bath houses do provide it as a natural scrub for clients. It is very good and effective for gentle removal of surface dead skin.

Kah Ho proudly showing how he harvests the Luffa gourd directly from the plant, skin it in a few seconds, shake off the seeds and wash it. The sponge will be ready for use after drying.

The harvested gourds ready to be skinned.

The sponges are dry under hot sun.

Kah Ho collects the seeds for next sowing season. The seeds can also be grind into powder and used as a traditional remedy for high blood pressure.

Bathing in the last beam of setting sun, Kah Ho gathering the dried sponges ready for sales in night market.

Asian Tsunami

2007-12-10T21:37:00.000+08:00

3 years ago. 26th December 2004. Have you forgotten this date?

On this day, at the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, Local time 07:58:53, a magnitude 9.1 to 9.3 earthquake has shaken the entire planet.

A series of devastating tsunamis with waves up to 30m high were triggered, it hit along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean. At least 230 000 people were killed. This is the 9th deadliest natural disaster in modern history.

The quake was the 2nd largest ever recorded on a seismograph. It also had the longest duration of faulting ever recorded, between 8.3 to 10 minutes. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Myanmar were badly hit.

Vegetation stripped by the tsunami near Lhoknga, Indonesia.

Tsunami hitting holiday beaches in Thailand.

Tsunami swept away everything on its way. (Khao Lak, Thailand).

Bodies washed up on the beach, Khao Lak, Thailand.

With tears in the eyes, people searching for their love ones.

Karl Nilson, a Swedish boy, asking for help to find his missing parents and brothers.

The injured.

Let us not forgetting this day.....

Let our thought be with the victims.....

Traditional Chinese Music Instrument

2007-11-14T20:48:00.000+08:00

Yehu - Bowed String Family

The history of Chinese traditional music can be dated back to as early as 7000 years ago based on the discovery of a flute made of bone in the Neolithic Age. The Chinese music is said to have been influenced by the teachings of Confucius, who thought of music as a means of soothing one's passions. And it is an instrument of purifying a person's thoughts.

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), the art of traditional opera developed rapidly and diversely in different regions of China. Various types of traditional music instruments have been used for opera performance. The tradition of opera has followed where the Chinese migrate to all over the world particularly South East Asia in the 1920s to 1940s.

Amongst others, the bowed string family of music instruments often play an important roles as opera background music. Here in Malaysia, particularly the Penang state, the traditional opera still being performed during some religion events (Taoism). The used of the traditional bowed string family of music instruments remain unchanged over the years despite of availabilities of modern instruments. The traditional instruments are played mainly by older generation.

Ah Chek is a man who loves traditional Chinese music since his childhood. His passion has made him a musician in a local traditional opera team. He plays various type of instruments, but he has a special passion for Yehu. Ye means coconut and the instrument sound box is made of a coconut shell. He hand made the Yehu himself, and has also made many for friends all over the country.

The footage below recorded Ah Chek doing some practises with his Yehu in a warm morning behind his house by a seaside. A short interview with Ah Chek also recorded at the end of the footage in Hokkien, a Penang local Chinese dialect.

Dragon Dance

2007-11-13T21:37:00.001+08:00

Dragon Dance, a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture. It is usually perform during festive celebrations such as Chinese New Year. It symbolises good luck and prosperity in the coming year for all people.

The Dragon Dance originated from China during Han Dynasty. Dragon is a mythical creature revered in Chinese culture. The emperors of ancient China considered themselves as the dragon. It is also the emblem of Imperial Authority. It symbolises supernatural power, goodness, fertility, vigilance and dignity.

The Dragon Dance has become an important part of Chinese traditional culture all over the world. It is also a form of performance art which catches interest of even many non-Chinese.

Dragon Dance footage taken by a friend, Ah Huat, during a cultural show in Penang Island, Malaysia, October 2007:

Mountain Biking

2007-10-30T20:52:00.001+08:00

Fun and Excitement

Mountain biking is about getting into the forest, where the trail is rough, rocky or rooty; Making rapid down hill descents over boulders and ledges; and leaping table-top; It is about man, machine and nature; It is about adrenalin, ...........

Amazing isn't it? But you don't have to perform the acts as above footage in mountain biking. There are always choices on how you want to do it. Whichever your choice is, as long as you play it safe, cycling is definitely beneficial to your health.

Easy ride at farmland.

Get to the hill for fresh air

Cycling is a low impact activity and therefore a safer exercise without risk of over-exertion or strain to muscles and joints. It is an aerobic activity (except when going up hill) which exercise and strengthen our lung and heart muscle. It activates blood circulation and improve overall fitness.

It is also claimed that cycling raises the metabolism rate for hours even afterwards where our body continue to burn calories. This is especially true when you cover a mix terrain where there are uphill (anaerobic respiration) and rather flat and easy trail (aerobic respiration). The bonus good news is, this type of alternating exercise is very effective in weight control!

Mountain biking offers opportunities to discover and explore new places, enjoying fresh air and awesome scenery. No traffic, no danger, no pollution. It is about forestry tracks, reservoir trails, orchard or estate tracks. It is a superb way to reduce stress.

Exploring new places

Deep into the nature

Discoveries

Take the challenges

Obstacles? ..... it is fun!

Freedom, contentment, fun, happiness, enjoyment and adrenalin. It is hard to beat the sheer feelings that riders experience when mountain biking. Besides, you can meet new people and get fit all at the same time.

Simple machine unlimited capabilities

What else a bicycle can do? apart from mountain bike that climbs hills, water crossing, down hilling at high speed and perhaps, take off into the air by the momentum,...?

Well, it is unbelievable what this simple two wheeler is capable of. Watch the below video:

So....? What is your choice? Make up your mind and ......

Have fun!

Point and Shoot Digital Camera

2007-10-12T14:43:00.001+08:00

Make the impossible possible

With the advancement of today's digital photography technology, even a small point-and-shoot digicam is able to do what was not possible in the past. However, with a little thought and common sense, it may even bring you results that you may think only possible with the professional camera range and expensive gadgets.

Forget about technical terms that i myself don't understand, here are some of the tips that i have learned with my point-and-shoot digicam.

Right timing of your trip
Timing is important in capturing your subject with interesting shade of light. This is especially true in outdoor photography. Without the use of flash light, sunlight (either direct or under shade) will give a more natural look of an image.

At 9:30am in Georgetown, the morning sunlight cast shadows on old buildings and highlighted the Komtar at a distant. This enhanced the depth of the image.

Without a long lenses as those for SLR digicam. It is near impossible to do bird photography with a point-and-shoot. However, with some knowledge of the subject behaviour, and a proper planning, there is a good chance of getting a decent result. This Kingfisher image was captured at 9:00am in the morning, the basking hours. At this time, they will focus on hunting as well as heating up their body after a cold night. They allow intruder like myself to come closer to point and shoot. (More story: http://cmc-cmc.blogspot.com/search/label/Nature%20-%20Kingfisher July Post: The White Throated Kingfisher).

Or at the late afternoon of a very hot day, water spray from a garden hose will lure overheated birds to the orchid plants. You can get close to them when they are desperate enough to quickly cool down their body temperature. And they will come again the next day at the same time if you are consistent with your watering time. Image taken at 6:00pm.

Choice of subjects
When doing wildlife photography with a laugh-able mini point-and-shoot digicam, don't be too ambitious. It is not possible to capture a cheetah chasing its prey at 100 Kph somewhere a kilometer away on the Safari. Look for subjects that are less mobile.

This bug will not move an inch even you take 100 shots of her.

Not very difficult even at close distance, if you are smart enough to remain pointing at the same twig after this dragonfly has flown away, it will return to the exact spot very shortly if you remain static.

It is also easy to get near to subjects that trust their camouflage capability. But best if you can approach them from behind (90 deg from their back) rather than from the side. When you come from behind, they think that you did not see them as they already camouflaged themselves with the surrounding. They are more alert if you come from the side as that is not the best angle to put their camouflage into function. This female Angle-head lizard image was captured after i first approached her from behind, then slowly shifted my position to the side, just 6 ft away.

The brightness (exposure)
The proper exposure will bring about an interesting image even the subject is a very simple one. A sheet of "bird-nest" leave, against a relatively dark background, deliberately under-exposed to only getting the right brightness for the leave, the background has darkened to near black. (Almost all today's point-and-shoot digicam has the under/over exposure control. Usually was given as +ve for overexpose; -ve for underexpose).

A simple toy duck, under an underexpose mode, brought out a different feeling.

Daring
If you have a rare opportunity with an interesting subject, such as those rely on camouflage as their defence, not always you will go near them to capture their image. Sometime you need the courage to take some risk. This venomous viper was crossing the jeep track on Penang hill. It won't run fast as it belongs to the camouflage type of creature as i mentioned above. But do you dare to go close?

Let me get a little closer for more detail image.

And a little more closer..... That's it, that's close enough, i don't think he will remain patient if i press my camera on his nose.

Luck
Definitely luck sometime play an important role especially when shooting moving subjects such as birds. This chick was learning how to fly, on my balcony (Nested in my balcony as well).

And the fly is a very sensitive insect. They fly fast and definitely not allowing you to come close to them for a macro-shot. But i managed to take this picture at just 2cm away.

And even at 2mm away !!! How??? you may ask... That is why i said LUCK is important!!! Yes, this fly allowed me to use super-macro setting on him for about 10 shots before zoom away.... This is merely luck.

Point-and-shoot digital camera really can take good pictures by just point and shoot. And if you give it some thought, it can deliver even greater surprises. So, don't laugh at me next time if you see me with a mini point-and-shoot on the safari trying to shoot a dashing cheetah 1Km away.

Penang Hill - Wild Plants

2007-09-18T21:42:00.001+08:00

Wild plants of Penang Hill. What do you expect? A small hill in a small island. Moreover, its forest has been invaded from all corners by development projects....

Penang island being one of the tourist spot, often lure greedy parties seeking opportunities for their pocket through projects that disregard the environmental issues. Some irresponsible parties even labelled their projects as "eco-friendly", "Green", "Carbon-free" , or many other well decorated names trying to deceive general public. However, the fact is still the fact, at the end, still the nature ecology of Penang Hill forest being ruthlessly raped.

As seen in the following satelite image, 1/3 area of the island at the east coast (right side of the island) has already been plaqued with concrete. The west and south-west areas of the island, cleared for agriculture, residence, and other human activities. The main forested area of the island has shrunken to a small Penang Hill area (as circled below), and a small hill patch at Muka Head area (The north-west end of the island). And you can see there are many dots of concrete colonies at foothill have started creeping upward. Hey! he who holding the responsibilities and power, have you forgotten your promises: No development project on hill slope!!! (After the Highland Towers tragedy in 1993).
(Bear in mind that this image is years outdated. Present conditions ought to be even worse)

Despite human invasion, what is remain still fight the survival war strongly but hopelessly with the power of nature. You will be surprised with the vast diversity of plant species in this small forest. Every square meter of Penang Hill soil is filled with tens or even hundreds of different flora species.

I am not a botanist or any plant expert. But i do enjoy plants. Every time i hike the Penang Hill i am most intrigue by the surprises the forest offered me. Let me share with you some images of the "exotic" flora that i captured.

I have no idea the ID of 99% of the plants here. Neither i know whether they are Penang Hill native species or introduced. But the images were taken from "wild" habitat with no sign of intended cultivation. Can you help me to id them?

What are these fruits?

Pure white flower from a creeper plant

Twinkle twinkle little stars, tell me what you are....

Fruits? Flowers? Seeds? that comes out from the soil....

Hmm.... Look delicious, but i dare not try...

Ha, this one i know! The flower of rattan. Look at the sharp and long thorns.

Looks beautiful, but i have no idea these flower buds belong to what plant.

This looks like Mimosa. But the yellow flowers suggest otherwise.

Vivid red fruits of unknown plant. Quite common in Penang Hill

Flowers try to group together in the shape of a dragon

Looks familiar. Could this be tomato flowers?

Bamboo. Huge size and length. Used for giant flag of Ching Gay.

Blue!? Really there are fruits in such a blue colour in our forest?

Golf balls? Ping pong balls? marbles? Eggs?.... you tell me!

Arh! It is so dark down here, let me stretch my arm, open up my palm, adsorb as much as energy i could.

What a design! Quite common in open area.

I am sure this is a ginger flower. But what species?

Hey guys! Look carefully and remember this plant. It's Tongkat Ali !!!

The leafs are not special, look a bit like Kacip Fatimah (but it is not), But what are those maroon appendages? Is this a plant of spider, crab or something?

Hmm, really have no idea what is this. Leaf? Fruit? Seed pot? !!!

Banana grow directly from the floor? No, someone told me this belongs to a plant called "Devil's Tongue"

Such a beautiful yellow flowers bloom from the jungle floor

Plant with this kind of flowers could anytime qualified as an ornament plant

Looks like wild orchid to me.

Cute!

Also cute. And hairy.

This flower looks familiar. Something i have seen in my kitchen. Tea pot!!!

Ha, this is the seed pod of above tea pot.

Another plant with beautiful flower

No need to say, many ornament plants came from jungle. Has this one been "exploited"

Ya, ya, I know 15th of eighth month of Chinese calender (25th Sept 2007. Lantern festival) is just around the corner. The forest has also put up lanterns.

Such a vivid purple fruits !!! Also commonly seen.

You know what is this. Very common here. The Monkey cup (Nepenthes)

Yet another little white flower from the floor. Only found at higher altitude.

Well, sometime hairy can also be sexy

But this type of hairy thing looks scary!!! What is this anyway?

There are countless more interesting plants in Penang Hill forest that in no way i can post all here. You got to take a hike up and see for yourself. While you are enjoying what nature got to offer you there, please be prepared to encounter astonishing scenes of "Malaysia Boleh" or in this case "Penang Boleh" :

Penang Boleh !

Penang Boleh !!

Penang Boleh !!!

Stay Away From Crime

2007-08-20T21:01:00.000+08:00

Let me share with you some video clips that widely reported in internet recently. Great performance by the inmates of a Philippines jail. But, bear in mind that we didn't see the whole picture of their life in the jail which could be a total different story.....

Thriller - Philippines Jail (Click the play button)

Sister Act - Philippines Jail

Amused by above footage? Fun? Let's don't forget, these are performances by inmates.This doesn't in anyway indicating life in jail is as good as school time (I know, young students describe their school life as life in jail !). And let's be open on what could be the other side of stories on how much "hard works" they "have to" put in during the training....

Coming back to the fact, serving terms of punishment in prison is definitely no "fun". For instance, flogging or caning is practise in some countries as accordance with respective national law. In Malaysia for example, caning was reserved mainly for drug-traffickers, illegal immigrants traffickers and violent criminals. Can you still remember some 13 years ago where Singapore caused an US outcry when it caned an American teenager, Micheal Fay, four times for vandalism....?

Some critics say caning breaches human rights norms, including the U.N. Convention Against Torture. But some support flogging as an effective deterring punishment for serious crimes, emphasizing the human rights of the victims should be protected rather than the criminals'.

Warning: The following video clip is disturbing to many. If you cannot tolerate witness of injuries and blood, Please do not watch.

Caning in jail.

"The wounds would heal in weeks, the damages he has caused to the victims and their family may never heal" Supporters of flogging put it.

The above three video clips are from internet share sites. Apparently they have sparked comments and debates amongst viewers. Are these practises appropriate and effective in achieving their goals?
Your say...........

The White Throated Kingfisher

2007-07-15T10:03:00.001+08:00

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Coraciiformes
Family: Halcyonidae
Genus: Halcyon
Species: H. smymensis

I often jog at paddy field close to my parents' house for the air is fresh and the scenery is spectacular. It's a totally different experience jogging in the midst of green ocean of paddy. The land is so flat that it is only bordered by the sky. You could watch the live documentary of clouds forming and the drama it plays together with the wind. Sometime, rainbow add to the climax; Or rapid approaching thunder storm come as surprise.

Often catches my eyes was the Kingfisher that darted away when shocked by my sudden and rather silent approaching.

White Throated Kingfisher is the most common bird, amongst others , in this paddy field. It is a magnificent bird with metallic blue/green coat on its back and equipped with an effective preying tool, the big red beak. It could dives with head first (or rather beak first) into deep water to catch fish, or swoops down, with feet first at the shallow water. Apart from fishes in the wet seasons, lizards, frogs, insects, etc. make up the bulk of its diet.

Bask in the warmth of morning sunlight.

Lack of gadgets as profesional wild life or particularly, bird photographers equipped with. I have to plan my strategies, and hoping for some lucks, i made my ambitious attempts with my point-and-shoot digital camera. I well aware that i have to get close to them, real close, in order to capture their images.

A cold morning after heavy downpour the previous night was just the right moment that i have been waiting for. The birds are cold and hungry. They need to replenish their energy after consumed it for warmth to get over the cool night. They will conserve and focus their energy for hunting, no unnecessary flight will be made at this time as the air is cold and heavy. Another trick that i have learned is that never approach them on foot. To them, anything with moving legs are dangerous.

Still wet after a few fruitful dives, this bird is anticipating for more.

Intense focus before plunge down.

The White Throated Kingfisher is a sit-and-wait predator spending long period perch above potential spot for preys. They are said to be territorial. I believe so as i have not seen 2 or more birds hunting together.

I moved to and fro along the small paddy road with my motorbike, stopped at every wooden bridge across the canal. Each bridge offered a kingfisher. I managed to get as close as around 10 ft to them. The noise from the engine didn't bother them as long as i don't get down from my bike to show my legs. They will still fly away after lost their patience with my persistent presence, and returned to their position soon after i left for another bridge.

I was surprised by their sudden disappearance after i made a few to and fro rounds. I was in total puzzle as i just saw them a minute ago, and now not even one could be found on all bridges. I stopped to look around. To my great shock, the sky was quickily covered by thick black clouds, moving fast toward my direction, and i could even see the rain they carried along.

....The birds read it first. This is their land, they know it best.....

The White Throated Kingfisher occupied this agricultural land from a different dimension. They have become a part of this "natural habitat", ...coexist without interfering human activitives in there.

The Flying Dragon

2007-07-05T20:52:00.001+08:00

Common name: Flying dragon; Flying

lizard; Flying Draco; Draco lizard.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Agamidae

Subfamily: Agaminae

Genus: Draco

This marvellous lizard is common in rainforest of west Malaysia. They can also be found in fruit orchards as well as rubber plantations. However, they are not easily spotted due to its colour that camouflage tree trunks. When they take flight (glide), their graceful glide resembling fallen leaf from the canopy.

The master of camouflage.

They start their glide by move to a higher trunk, head facing the ground, leap off with their bright coloured wings spreaded open. They parachute down gracefully, with its tail swinging midair manoeuvring its direction and land on another tree trunk. They can sometime glide for as far as 50 m. However, understandably, they will not glide during rain or when it is too windy.

The wings of flying dragon are made of membranes called patagium supported by rib bones. They are usually of bright colour that differ between males and females. The wings are folded on both sides of their body and spread open when they glide.

The images of flying dragon flapping its dewlap as sign of warning.

The flying dragon eat ants, termite and perhaps some other insects that found on the tree. They seldom come down to the ground. During mating season, the males defend their territories and dsplay their bright yellow dewlap to attract females. The females lay 1 to 4 eggs on the ground under the tree.

The flying dragon picking up ants with its short tongue.

It was a cloudy noon time at the Metropolitan Garden, Relau, Penang, Malaysia. The weather was unusually comfortable at this time after intermittent rain the previous night. I was strolling amongst the hibiscus trees with my camera looking for freshly bloom inflorescense. Out of sudden, i noticed something was moving on a tree just 5ft away. It was a flying lizard taking its lunch just 4-5 ft above ground level. This fellow must be very hungry as it didn't shy away despite of my presence at close distance. He continues to feast on ants on the tree trunk after gave me a few cautious stare, and occasionally reminded me on its dominance by flapping its dewlap.

Penang - Air Itam Morning Market

2007-06-22T23:34:00.001+08:00

Air Itam is a small town in Penang island located 6Km away from George Town. It has been developed slowly from a small town into a market place over the years since pre-war time. Early in every morning, apart from the indoor wet market and shop houses that sell varieties of items, mobile hawker stalls also take position along the road.

Air Itam morning market is one of the busiest market in Penang island mainly due to nearby residential developement projects which cause a focused population boom. The narrow road system in between old houses is imposible to further extend and has caused traffic congestion during peak hours.

Adjacent Kek Lok Si Temple, a must see tourist spot of Penang has added popularity to the morning market with curiousity driven tourists wandering into it looking for local items.

The Air Itam Dam, a popular spot for health conscious Penangites. The jeep road as well as hiking track entrance just located beside Kek Lok Si Temple. Early in the morning especially during weekends, they will come here for fresh air and hiking. These early birds will surely added to the morning market congestion by looking for hawkers' food there.

The morning market offers varieties of items, from vegetables, fruits, flowers, to spices, to fresh fish, meat, poultry and many more......

The spices.... Sweet, sour, salty, .... Curry powder for fish curry, chicken curry, prawn.....

Fruits. At a cheap price, from local as well as imports...

Fresh Vegies........

Fried eggs with onion for today? No? ...What about Fried eggs with "Chai Por" (preserved vegetable)?

Fresh coconut water will be just right for the hot day....

Want something different? what about sea coconut?

Still not to your taste? What about something more exotic?.... The "water chicken" as local called it, Frog!

Durian !!! The King of fruits! Penang is famous for durian. And Air Itam durian is fresh from durian orchards nearby. You can see durian plants along the way going up to Air Itam dam.

Red Prawn is not a prawn; Squirrel is not a squirrel; These are the names given to special breeds of durians ... There are also some with celebrities names....

Dried Chinese herbs....... and road side medicine man.

Deep Fried Oily Ghost "Yeow Char Kuai" for breakfast? It is nice to dip with "Kopi Or Kaw" (Black coffee).

"Ham Chee Peng" and "Hwa Chee" will also be nice when fresh.

.....Or let's go to the coffee shop for "Char Koay Teaw" or "Hokkien Mee",... May be double for today, a "Curry Mee" and a "Jawa Mee"... Plus

some "Or Kuih" (Steamed yam cake).

...... And "Tar Pau" back (pack home) some "Ban Chean Kuih", each with corn, banana, and peanut filling....

Another alternative, Malay kuih and Nasi Lemak...... A Malay boy helping at his mother's stall during weekend.

Fashion of latest designs... Or little dress for kids...

Traditional household items. Some foreign visitors buy home as decorative items to their home....

Beggar trying his luck,.... with that expectations filled eyes...

If you are in a hurry, want a hit and run type of purchases, motorcycle is the best choice.

The morning market is full of life, ..........

....the only way to understand it is ...you will have to come yourself to see the sight, smell the smells, hear the noise, feel the warmth......The Penang Air Itam Morning Market.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis "Queen Of The Tropic"

2007-06-15T21:18:00.001+08:00

Bunga Raya, (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), "Queen of the Tropic", also known as Chinese hibiscus, China rose and Shoe flower.

Bunga Raya was chosen as Malaysia national flower in year 1960 by the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Raman. The five petals, red colour variety was chosen above all others as the most symbolically relevant.

The five petals symbolise the Rukun Negara (The Five Principles of Nationhood) and the red colour represents courage.

Numerous cultivars, varieties and hybrids of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis have been developed with many flower colours and patterns. White, yellow, orange, pink, blue, scarlet and many more are the hobbyist beloved ones.

H. rosa-sinensis have many uses traditionally in different parts of the world. In parts of India, the flowers are used as shoe shine, as well as for worship of Devi. The flowers are also used for hair care and cosmetics for ladies in South East Asia countries. The roots of the plant are used to cure fever and other ailments. The juice obtained from the leaves and roots is used to relieve skin eruptions and glandular problems......

The flowers are beautiful; The leaves are green; ............

The begining. Today's buds, tomorrow's beauties

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the prettiest of all........

A closer look at the beauties.........

Who live in the beauties' neighbourhood

Yummy, let's share the breakfast

Hey! You are the bad guys!

Oh, no! ...I lost my skirts..... Burp! Mm...what a nice meal..

The beauty doesn't last long......

The death of the beauties, the begining of the seeds of new lives......

Let's Go to the Paddy

2007-06-05T21:46:00.001+08:00

Alor Star, my birth place, the capital of Kedah, the "rice pot" of Malaysia, is located 93 Km north of Butterworth, Penang and 45 Km south of the Thai-Malaysia border. This city is surrounded by scenic paddy fields.
Have you ever visited Alor Star? Have you ever stepped onto the paddy? Want to have a look up close? .........Let's go!

Paddy filled up with water, sowed, ...and growing....

From land full of weed to paddy field

From sowing to growing up

The morning

Look, who is busy in the morning .....

Aaah, that's better, the warmth of the morning sun...The pregnant lizard

Here can also be a place for friends to meet....

The pum is use to bring water from the canal to the paddy

The farmer's house

Make full use of the land

The late afternoon sun tinted the earth gold

The sun is setting

And the night is approaching

World Most Expensive Coffee

2007-05-31T11:10:00.001+08:00

Kopi Luwak
Coffee bean taken from the feces of a civet cat, lightly roasted to preserve its complex flavors, brew into a cup of coffee that people queue up to buy at the most expensive price in the world ....
Have you tasted it before? I was told that Kopi Luwak is a light coffee, not a thick cappuccino that keep us awake all night long....
Here are some info on Kopi Luwak taken from internet:

Kopi Luwak is made from coffee cherries which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tracts of the Asian Palm civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). The animals eat the ripe berries, and excrete partially-digested beans in their feces, which are then harvested. This process takes place on the islands of Indonesia which include Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi, also in the Philippines, Vietnam and the coffee estates of south India. Kopi Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world, selling for up to $600 USD per pound, and is sold mainly in Japan and United States.
Kopi is the Indonesia word for coffee, and luwak for the Palm Civet Cat. The coffee berries, insects, small mammals and other fruits are civet cat's normal diet. The bean of the berry is not digested, but it is believed that stomach enzymes of the civet cat add to the coffee's flavor by breaking down the proteins that give coffee its bitter taste. The beans still covered in some inner layers of the cherry are excreted, and locals sell them to dealers. The beans are washed, and lightly roast so as to not destroy the complex flavors that develop through the process. One small cafe in the hills outside Townsville in Northern Australia sells Kopi Luwak at A$50.00 per cup, and the locals line up for it......

Songkran 2007 Penang

2007-05-30T09:45:00.001+08:00

Songkran festival, the traditional new year, is widely observed in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos from 13rd to 15th April. Songkran is the Sanskrit word in Thai which means the entry of the sun into the zodiac. During the Songkran, old and young people will dress in new cloths and visit temple, food will be offered to the monks. In the afternoon of 13rd April, Buddha images will be bathed as part of the ceremony, after which, everybody will joyfully splash water on each other. It is also known as "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.
To experience how the Songkran is celebrated in Penang island, a visit to a Myanmar and Thai temple in Burma Road on 15th April 2007...........

Architecture of traditional Thai / Myanmar temples

The interior of the temples

The prayer...

Wishing for good luck and pails of water ready for party...

The water war and ....facial treatments?

Three musketeers ...

Beauties and the beast?

Men's cooking ..... and medical services...

Hawkers' items.

Penang State Park - Hutan Lipur Bukit Panchor

2007-05-26T23:11:00.001+08:00

Hutan Lipur Bukit Panchor, a less known park located at mainland Penang, near to a small town called Nibong Tebal. The entrance area of the park offers surprisingly beautiful and unique lanscape with tall trees arranged in somewhat neat manner. The trail up into the jungle is partly tarred and quite comfortable to walk on. I would say, the jungle is less "touched" as compared to other heavily visited parks in Penang island. Countless varieties of plants, insects, birds, and perhaps other wild animals will certainly qualify this park as nature lovers' heaven.
The jungle is well preserved, much better than others, The reason to it is obvious, there is no hotel, chalet, cable car, etc.......

The signboard showing the way...

The entrance

Beautiful trees view at entrance area

Inside the jungle, along the trail

Different flora....

Fungi ....

Moths ....

Damselfly and .... a lover couple...

The dragonfly

Giant ants

Cricket and grasshopper

The beheaded alien (long horned spider) and spiders

Baby scorpion and centipede

The house of a bird ...rat...?? and a beetle

A tunnel structure since WWII (?) and bath tub for wild boar

Wetland walkway