A groovy kind of dillenia

Brown-throated Sunbird, female of the species at the Simpoh Air branch
Location : Wetlands between Zone G and Zone A

Female of the Pink-necked Pigeon

A groove of Shrubby Dillenia

Its a beautiful groove of broad leafy thicket.  A natural mass of deep green beauty amidst a jungle surrounding and open grassland where wildlife abound.  It is a groovy kind of landscape, soft green in the foreground and dark green washes at the back.  It's a place where the pigeons, sunbirds and bulbuls visit everyday for the tiny juicy seeds of the Shrubby Dillenia or 'Simpoh Air'. It is of vital importance to keep this groove for the many attractions it provides - fruits and seeds to many species of birds, flowers for insects and small animals.  The young flushes of the dillenia are edible as salad and during nights when the moon is high the Sambar Deer would occasion the pebbled-sized fruits of the dillenia as part of its regular diet.  There are many dillenia grooves at the park that are home for the buzzing wildlife.  And I never stop to learn and appreciate how a little sanctuary we build here has given us so much love for nature and a passion for simple living and happiness it brings. The falling leaves, November rain, the fresh winds and the walks in the park. Come what, come may.  It's a groovy kind of love.

Yellow-vented Bulbul against the clear blue sky of  November

A pair of Pink-necked Pigeon 

The female of the Brown-throated Sunbird having a mouthful of the red juicy seed of the Shrubby Dillenia.

The Simpoh Air in a mixed natural landscape scenery, interspersed with oil palm trees.
Zone G.

A jungle treelet with atttractive pale yellow flowers

Flowering jungle treelet
Location : Botanic island Two

 There are four botanic islands at the park.  These islands are areas where the original lowland dipterocarp forest characteristics and habitat are preserved. Occasionally I would venture carefully  into them in order  to discover new plants, animals, fungi, birds or any form of wildlife.  This morning has been a successful search.  I bumped into a treelet which was having pale yellow flowers.  It was a magical moment  in a jungle preserved here.  The location was at Botanic Island Two.  Below is shown the flowers in closer range.    

Close-up of the flowers.
Identity of the treelet is presently unknown.
Location : Botanic Island Two

Kambatik Park - an appreciation (Part 2)

The future happens here at the Kambatik Park

Eight years in days and nights of rain, sunshine, humidity and drought have gradually brought the park to its envisioned state.  It has become a sanctuary of wildlife.  A place where work is fun and joy to be.  A lowland dipterocarp forest environmental habitat enhanced with ecological diversity where oil palm farming is well-integrated into the culturally inspired native  agro-forestry practices.  It is here that I learn the meaning of ecopreneurship.  I am not the conventional planter  because I forever aim to  harvest 'green gold' together with a wealth of teeming wildlife every week in a month for the next 20 golden years (economic life of the oil palm trees) and more.   And this is made possible even without any single loan from the banking or financial institution in the development of the park since day one.  It is a fine example of where there is a will there is a way. 

I have answered the question that bugs and begs me. 
What is your contribution to the future, especially its environment and climate?  Is your contribution unique and of consequence?  I am getting ready to handover an environment where nature thrives ecologically and able at the same time to sustain itself commercially.  When all  the mainstream media currently report about  oil palm farming is the prevalence of  monoculture cultivation  and in its wake the destruction of whole forests, my experience has taught the contrary.  At the park oil palm farming is carried out in an eco-friendly manner.  It has passed the acid test of ecological diversity.  It is my hope that the authorities will see the model experimented here as iconic of the contribution of smallholders in the state in their safe practice of oil palm cultivation.  This model can make Sarawak into a destination with the broadest band of park lands and nature reserves  in Malaysia, if only leaders have the political will.

Overview of oil palm and agro-forestry integration - many more golden years ahead...

 This blog is testimonial enough on the practice of oil palm cultivation the eco-way, something that I would be pleased to pass on to my children and grandchildren and lovers of nature for posterity.  The future happens here at the Kambatik Park.

Walks in the park

 Walking in the park is therapeutic.  It provides moments when we immerse ourselves, our hearts and soul in nature.  I'm in touch with nature 24 hours a day.  A good experience to be one with nature is to have short walks in the park.  You never know when in your steps you might almost unnoticedly hit upon two young night jar chicks unprotected by their parents or hear the birds happily chirping.  I have established here many kinds of walks.  Some walks are along the stream, jungle, botanic islands, and ridges or hill slopes.

There is always something new to see and experience each day...this makes life worth living.  Like turning the pages of a long ago thin magazine I used to read in the 60's called 'Finding Out'.

Take a leaf from nature.  Despite its complexities and sensitivities, it always seeks a balance.

Walking Mama Daisy and Inul in the park

Location: Midhill footpath, Botanic Island One

 It is real fun to bring Mama Daisy and Inul for a walk in the park.  Often times they would follow me early in the morning to have an early morning walk when the air is cool and fresh.  I don't keep dogs but cats are my pet interests. Mama Daisy is living with us for about 10 years now.  Inul was born at the park and over the last five years they have followed me in more than 40,000 km of road travel to Kuching from Bintulu.  I have created a special blog about their traveling adventures called "Hav Paws will Travell" and can be accessed here..>>>http://havpawswilltravell2.blogspot.com/

Location: Botanic walk, Zone E

Location: Liana walk, Botanic Island Two

Mama Daisy, now 10 years with us

Inul, given birth by Mama Daisy at the park.

Sunday morning walk

 Sunday morning and taking it easy.  Having a leisurely stroll around the park to watch nature early.  Sometimes it is best to take photograph between 6.30 am to 8.00 am making use of the soft effect of early morning light.  Here's what I managed to shoot this morning...a squirrel goes out early to hunt, the moon is still seen in the early morning sky, broad jungle leaves against thin long leaves, Inul - my lovely cat that was born in the park, the ' tekukur' bird in the distance and the spiderhunter happily singing and enjoying the nectar from the yellow ixora flowers...Such is the beauty of nature in the early morning light.

Nature discovery at the park

Orange cup fungus with white hairs seen at Provinsi Rattan area.

 Today I decided to check out the Provinsi Rattan area to enjoy some shade in deep rattan territory of the park.  It was a worthwhile excursion.  The place was rather damp, well-shaded and close-by the stream.  Here can be found many rattan species. wild exotic palms, lianas or climbers, and many natural organisms that feed on the thick forest floor of humus, dead plant tissues etc..One particular fungi attracted by attention.  The fungus were living of a small dead branch and they hard a striking orange colour with white hairs.  Many things can be discovered here...here's a tiny sampling of fungi types, rattan species showing fruits as well, fern and and an exotic palm.

Fungi at Provinsi Rattan area.

Fungi at Provinsi Rattan area.

Fungi at Provinsi Rattan area.

Fungi at Provinsi Rattan area.

Fern at Provinsi Rattan area.

Rattan fruit at Provinsi Rattan area

Rattan fruit at Provinsi Rattan area.

An exotic jungle palm - Pholidacarpus sumatrana , located at Botanic Island Three, Provinsi Rattan area...

Littering leaves

A falling leaf....

 Take a leaf from nature. A walk or stroll in the park can be inspiring when one sees a falling leaf.  There are sections in the park where the forest floor or footpath are literally littered with leaves.   These leaves are great mental therapy.  Stepping on them and listening to their rustle makes me feel well at peace with nature.  Fallen leaves are rich at ease.  They decompose and in their wake grew a new garden ecology.  We live once only to die and then leave behind a generation to continue what is left undone.....

View of the park towards the entrance.  Oil palm leaves - good enough for temporary cushion.

Leaves to walk on....

Overtime leaves decompose and help make rich humus..

At Botanic Island Two -  leaves litter are a landscaping element that adds interest and atmosphere to the place..

More leaves cover is better, there is beauty in the litter...

Leaves and a feather....

Fringe of Botanic Island Two

Inside Botanic Island One

Footpath at Botanic Island One