The Autumn Leaf Butterfly is back

Resembling a leaf - the Autumn Leaf Butterfly
Zone C

 The Autumn Leaf Butterfly is seen today after a long absence.  I chased it for a while and stopped after it flew desperately for cover.  But should it?  This butterfly has cryptic or concealing patterns.  The underside is a look-alike of a dead leaf with even a resembling 'mid-rib'.  When it settled on the variegated hibiscus plant I took the opportunity to get some good shots of it.  From a distance or even at closer range it camouflages as a leaf, thus the name 'leaf butterfly'.  They come in various forms with slightly different leaf patterns.

Autumn Leaf Butterfly - Doleschalia bisatide
Zone C

Flash flood

The stream overflows in a matter of one hour torrential rain
Zone F

Red Hibiscus after the rain

 It rained just for about an hour between 2 - 3 pm.  The rain came down in a torrential downpour and within one hour swelled the stream and cleared whatever debris that clogged the small stream.  Today's flash floods confirmed that the end of year rainy season has arrived.

Taken on 8 Oct'15, Zone C

Early mornng rush

Plantain squirrel joins the early morning rush for ripe fruits..

Kantan - Torch Ginger

 It was a pleasant morning walk.  Despite the puasa or fasting  I seldom miss an early morning walk in the park.  There is always something invigorating watching the early morning birds twitter and dash for the early morning seeds.  Soon many other birds join in the early morning rush for insects, nectar and ripening fruits.  Today many plantain squirrels showed their natural skills,  effortlessly climbing tall huge trees, jumping from branch to branch and often nibbling vigorously at some ripe oil palm fruits to their hearts content.  At the start of day, the flowers of the Kantan (Etlingera elatior) shows its pink bracts, looking fresh in the early morning dew.  These sharply spicy-fragrant inflorescences are very much sought after by chefs in Malaysia in the making of the 'laksa' dish. The morning never fails to brighten up one's spirits.  The shining red colour of the common hibiscus called Bunga Raya in Malay start to bloom early every morning throughout the year.  This variety which was picked as the national flower of Malaysia in 1957  has single red and semi-pendulous flowers.  It is nice to see how nature tries to captivate one's attention in its early morning rush ..... 

Bunga Raya - national flower of Malaysia
Family : Malvaceae - Hibiscus family

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