A uniquely Kuching bird

Long-tailed Shrike at the Kambatik garden, Kuching.

Garden colours

 There's lots of excitement at the garden right now.  One bird that's uniquely Kuching has been hanging around the garden since we have been here about a fortnight ago.  The Long-tailed Shrike not only perches on the branches of the 'Kedondong' tree but often times seen resting on the Tabebuia rosea branches.  The garden is a pleasure to be immersed in.  The greenery is superb and is brightened by flowers and colourful foliages.  The presence of the Long-tailed Shrike has added a new list to the garden birds around our home in Kuching.  This adds another feather to the Kambatik's  cap.

'Kedondong' fruits (Spondias dulcis)

View of trees at the side garden - in the line-up are mango tree (left), Eugenia oleina with yellow- orange flushes, Tabebuia rosea tree (tallest tree ni the picture and the Pinang palm or Betel palm (Areca catechu ) on the righ, partly shown is the palm fronds.
4 April'15

Brown-throated Sunbird at the Blood Banana

Brown-throated Sunbird at the Blood Banana inflorescence

Terminal inflorescence of the Blood Banana

Flowers after the rain

Plumeria acuminata

Bignonia magnifica

 The weather is Kuching on this visit has been rainy for most of the time.  It rains in the day as well as at night, though not as heavy as during the end of year monsoon rains.  As a result working in the garden tends to be cooler though the grounds are kept wet or damp most of the time in March.  There are many varieties of flowers that are featuring themselves now of which a few have been covered in the last posting.  To continue the series of flowering plants at the garden this month of March are the following.  Enjoy their beauty!

Senduduk (Malay) - Melastoma malabathricum

Ixora coccinea

There's life at the front door

 The yellow bamboo clump at the front garden has grown tall and dense.  Among its stems and leaves a pair of nesting Chestnut Munia is seen busy flying in and out of their sanctuary.  I was able  to get a closer look of the birds this morning.  It is no wonder why people call it the Chestnut Munia.  The hood is black but the body is a rich chestnut brown colour.  The bill is bluish grey and stands in stark contrast to its black face.  Their presence at the front garden makes nature a step closer to the front door.

Chestnut Munia (Pipit Rawa- Malay)
Lonchura atricapilla

Colourful flowers amidst the greenery

At the center is seen the white flower of the Plumeria obtusa, amidst other flowering shrubs and fruiting tree species.
Location : Side garden, middle section

Red Hibiscus or 'Bunga Raya' - Malaysia's national flower
Location : Back garden

Plumeria obtusa

White flowers of the Common Spider Lily - Hymennocallis speciosa

Pastel light orange colour of the Ixora coccinea

Purple petallike bracts of the Congea velutina