In Plain Sight - Provinsi Lakka (Part 2)

View of Provinsi Lakka, looking south
In the foreground is the Pong-Pong tree
Location : Zone F

Apple-like fruits of the Pong-Pong

 Provinsi Lakka is located at Zone F.  So far there are three clumps of the Sealing-wax palm planted at the area.  It is interesting to note that from two of the clumps I have obtained many plantlets by just removing or separating them from the mother tree.  Two varieties of the Sealing-wax palm are available on site.  One has deep orange leaf sheath while the other is in bright red.  There are other side attractions at the Provinsi Lakka.  A Pong-Pong tree nearby is attractive for its daily flowers and fruits that look like apples.  Other flowering shrubs and herbs planted includes the hibiscus, heliconias, scented pandanus (Pandanus amaryllifolius), variegated Bunga Cina (Gardenia jasminoides) etc.

Many names are given to this attractive palm e.g. Lipstick Palm, Pinang Raja, Sealing-wax palm
Botanic name : Cyrtostachys renda
Syn: Cyrtostachys lakka

 The Sealing-wax palm is a very attractive ornamental tree that should be used more generously in our Malaysian garden or Laman Kambatik.  More Sealing-wax palm will be added to the Provinsi Lakka gradually.

A variegated form of the Gardenia jasminoides

Bunga Raya (Malay) - national flower of Malaysia - Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Photoshoot session with the Little Spiderhunter

 It has been quite a while since I had a photoshoot session with the Little Spiderhunter.  Today she decided to drop by for another modelling session.  She was too  occupied moving about the Ixora coccinea flowers trying to sip nectar that she forgot I was aiming my lens at her.  Looking at her makes me realize how nature has perfected her gently curved bill to do the siphoning work in order to collect nectar from the flowers.  In Malay the bird is called "Kelicap Jantung".  She is often seen dashing in and out of the flowering shrubs foraging for nectar or insects.  The shrubs she loved are like the Heliconia 'Sexy Pink', the yellow Ixora coccinea and the Shrubby Dillenia.

Little Spiderhunter at the Ixora coccinea flowers

Up-close and personal with the Little Spiderhunter

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra ) - Kelicap Jantung (Malay)
Location : Zone C

 The Little Spiderhunter's favourite haunt at the park is the Ixora coccinea yellow shrub that flowers every day in the year.  Today it was more at ease and confident enough to give me a rare chance to shoot it at a very close range, that is about 2 meters away.  It saw me but because it was so very absorbed in sipping the nectar from the ixora flowers that it just gave more poses for the camera.  Let the photos speak for themselves.....

Spiderhunter for fb cover page, 1 Feb'14

Birdwatch album - Little Spiderhunter

 The Little Spiderhunter is a daily visitor to the park without fail.  It is attracted by the ever flowering yellow Ixora coccinea flowers especially by its sweet nectar. It is a very jovial bird that announces its presence by its loud chirping voice. Malays call it "Kelicap" because of its prominent 'churp -churp' calls.  It is a very lovely bird to watch especially when hovering by the flowers to sip at the nectar.  It visits the flowering ixora shrub throughout the day at the park.

Little Spiderhunter (Arachnothera longirostra)

Birds of the Park - Little Spiderhunter

 It amazes me why the Little Spiderhunter that comes regularly to the yellow Ixora coccinea flowers does not come in pairs.  The Malays call it 'Kelicap Jantung' and it produces a nice 'chirp,chirp,chirp,chirp' notes.  Besides preying on soft insects like ants and spiders, it loves to sip the nectar from the ixora flowers and in so doing does fine acrobatic show.
Here's more pics of the bird for the album.

Little Spiderhunter (Kelicap Jantung -Malay)
Arachnothera longirostra
Date taken : 28 Jul'13, location : Zone C