Is it an eagle or a hawk-eagle? I wonder.

 Before the day ends I went to Licuala Hill with the hope that I could get another glimpse of the Borneon Falconet. Upon arrival at the tall dead tree I was greeted by the Myna birds. The weather was not so clear as it is often these days of the North-east monsoon when there are more cloudy skies and torrential rains. After a while, I heard a strange sound not heard before. When I turned my eyes to the tall tree I noticed a big bird was resting where the Tiong birds were. The Tiong birds flew away when this big bird perched on the tree. I quickly focussed my lens hoping to get a picture of the bird. Got it. But I could not confirm what it was. Upon checking the guide books I am caught between a Lesser Fish Eagle and a Changeable Hawk -eagle. Perhaps one day I'll get a better picture and am more certain on the identity of the bird. Today' I'll just leave it at that, happy that I saw something new.

Location : Licuala Hill

Two lifers in a day - Osprey and Borneon Falconet

Osprey ( Lang Tiram - Malay)

Osprey high above the land

 Today has been very special with two new birds sighted at the park.  Both are birds of prey.  The big one of the two is an Osprey seen circling high above the trees and hills.  Ospreys are a wonder to see in flight and their sightings are rare in Borneo.  Today's sighting is a lifer for me.  Not too far from the sighting of the Osprey I caught a glimpse of the Borneon falconet ( Microhierax latifrons).  They came in a pair perching on the tall dead tree at Licuala Hill. It has been said that this species of falconet is the smallest raptor in the world. I wish I could have gotten a clearer picture of the pair but its tiny size taken from afar makes it difficult to obtain a sharper image.  Nevertheless, it was easy to identify with its white forehead and cheek and upper white breast.

Borneon Falconet (Microhierax latifrons) perching on a tall dead tree at Licuala Hill.
One of the birds was seen making sorties and came up to the branch with its prey.

Not a perfect picture but excellent for the record.
Location : Licuala Hill

The Hornbill is seen again

Seen at a distance, the Black Hornbill at Zone I
1 Dec'15

The hornbill is seen at the center of the picture, 100 meters away
Zone I

At a distance of about 100 meters I could only get a glimpse of the Black Hornbill.  The last sighting was in October when I was able have  a closer view of the hornbill.  However, today's sighting is for record purposes.

Black Magpie

Black Magpie ( Platysmurus leucopterus) - note the red iris and crest
Location : Licuala Hill

 For once I thought it was the Tiong bird because it sounded like one.  Climbing up the tall Licuala Hill I took a good look at the bird.  It was instead the Black Magpie and came by in a small party of three.  Unlike the Tiongs they do not seem to perch together, preferring to follow the leader in seconds interval  at the nearest branch.  Once perched on the branch the bird showed a peculiar behaviour of bowing and nodding.  It likes to lower its crest when perching.  Their calls could be heard clearly and unlike the normal jungle crow it could imitate the sounds of the Hill Myna, for which I was mistaken for the real thing.  That means if it wants it could sound out a whistle.

Perching on one of the very tall trees at Licuala Hill, in bowing and nodding movements.
27 Nov'15

The more we are together, the happier we will be

The more we are together, the happier we will be.

The two of us

 Playing hide and seek again today.  But worth it.  The Tiongs returned to their sanctuary just before sunset.  Earlier on I waited in the company of nasty and irritating mosquitoes.  Then I heard the flapping of strong wings and soon both settled on the tall tree.  They looked happy and cheering each other while remaining close.  It has been another fruitful day  to see both of the birds back and giving me the opportunity to take more close-up and personal shots of them.

Hill Myna
Location : Licuala Hill, Zone I
25 Nov'15

Hiding from the Tiongs

Perching at one of the tall trees at Licuala Hill area

Closer view of the Tiong

I have to hide among the bushes and ferns to get a closer view of the Tiongs (Hill Myna).  From a distance of about 50 meters from the tall dead tree situated at Licuala Hill, I waited for the birds to show up.  At around 6 pm as if by appointment they flew into frame.  In order not to scare them away I had to hide and remained quiet.  Unaware of my presence  they took time to roost, check out the 'nest' and made calls that rang loud and sharp over the neighbourhood.  After seeing them comfortable perching, I then started to shoot them with my camera. Here are today's shots....

The 'nest' is a hole in the tree.  A Tiong bird perching next to the nest.

View of the tall dead tree from my hideout.

Location : Licuala Hill

Green shots (4)

Zone B

Keruak wetlands, Zone B

Zone G

Heliconia Valley

Heliconia chartacea 'Sexy Pink'
Location: Heliconia Valley, Zone D.

Heliconia 'Lobster's claw'

The Heliconia variety 'Sexy Pink' is a unique and eye catching species to plant.  It is very easy to propagate and so are many others in the species.  It is to obtain the rare variety that becomes the main challenge.  The heliconia collection at the Heliconia Valley with its initial collection of about a dozen species have become somewhat an 'open nursery' acting as mother plants to produce rhizomes for propagation purposes.  Once removed these shoots can be planted elsewhere in the park.  Some heliconia species love full sun while others prefer filtered or dappled light.  Heliconias are exotic plants, tropical and colourful and a key element in the Kambatik garden.

Heliconia psittacorum

Heliconia Valley, Zone D

Green shots (2)

Zone I, looking west.

Botanic Island Two

Provinsi Carpentaria, Zone F

Birds - an essential component

A pair of Pied Fantail ( Sambar Murai Gila- Malay)
Rhipidura javanica
Zone B

View of park,
looking east from Zone G

 The annual fruit season is almost over and the drought season has been over too with at least two occasions of heavy rain since the last ten days to usher in the end of year rainy season.  Birding today was interesting for three captures.  Firstly, a pair of Pied Fantail was happily moving about the trees and branches in their typical suicidal flights and noisy twitters.  Secondly, a pair of Pink-necked Pigeon was seen perching quietly on the Cempedak tree at Zone G.  Finally, a lone Oriental- Magpie-robin was seen resting on the very tip of a branch at Zone G, broadcasting the best music for the morning.  The birds and their music are an essential component of the park.

A pair of Pink-necked Green Pigeon
Cempedak Hill, Zone G.

Oriental Magpie-Robin - Murai Kampung(Malay)
Copsychus saularis
Zone G

The Tiongs are amidst the leaves

A pair of Tiong at Zone D
3 Oct'15 

One of the tallest trees
at the park, Zone I

 I had a field day this morning  chasing after two pairs of Hill Myna birds or 'Burung Tiong' ( Malay).  They were flying all over the zones of the park and immersed well to the surrounding greenery when they stopped for a while to rest and play on the branches and twigs.  For about two weeks now they are regularly seen and heard, especially early in the morning.  Their presence makes for some welcome music at the park.

At Zone E

Resting on the Durian tree at Zone G

Resting on one of the tallest jungle trees  at Zone I

Views of the park today

View of Zone C
Zone C

View of Provinsi  Carpentaria, looking east from Zone F
Location : Zone F

View towards Zone E, looking south, from Botanic Island Two

Location : Botanic Island Two

Inside Botanic Island Two
Location : Botanic Island Two

Tidying the footpath at Botanic Island One

Botanic Island One - view towards north-west.
Note the thick layer of leaves needing sweeping and a little burning.

Mid-hill footpath
looking west

Took a whole Sunday to do some clearing and tidying works to Botanic Island One footpath.  The weather was just ideal, windy and cloudy.  Thus the burning of dried leaves and other debris went out well.  It has been a while since I have not done the necessary upkeep to the island.  Today is a start and will continue the works whenever time permit.  Pruning of trees included the Traveler's palm, Oil palm, and jungle shrubbery.

View of lower hill footpath
Botanic Island One

Views of the park - 28 August'15

Kruak wetlands
Zone B

Wild Rambutan tree
Zone F

Walk in the park
Zone E