Colours in the limelight - Feb'14

Colours in the limelight...Red Ti (Cordyline terminalis)

Lipstick palm (Cyrtosctachys renda)

On this trip to Kch, we found that the garden is gradually maturing.  The abundance of colours are a real treat to the eyes.  Here's a few views that showcase some of the great colours into the limelight.

Yellow Bamboo (Schizostachyum brachycladum)

Red Cat's Tail (Acalypha hispida)

Back garden

Back garden, showing mixed planting of palm, wild banana, cassia alata, calathea lutea and ixora coccinea ...

Cassia alata

 Just the other day, I managed to dig out some tapioca tubers and cook them.  They tasted good because they are of a variety that is soft to be eaten.  At the back garden are many herbs and shrubs that produce fruits, tubers, flowers or leaves can can be consumed as salad, dessert, juiced drinks, condiments,medicine, and not forgetting added appeal for wildlife and garden beauty.  Here's more views of the back garden....

Back garden ...mixed planting mainly herbaceous plants

Costus woodsoonii - Red button ginger

Back garden...view towards south-east

The nesting pair stays at the garden

Male Olive-backed sunbird (left)  and female at right...on the "Lumok" leaves (Artocarpus odoratissimus Blanco)

 The Malays call the tree as "Terap" and the Bintulu Melanaus call it "Lumok".  the Lumok tree is planted at the side garden facing south.  It has grown to about 7 meters now.  The Olive-backed sunbird couple is seen resting and perching on its broad leaves often to have a commanding view of their nest.  I noticed this whole week that the nesting pair is very frequently seen around the nest area.  The female flies very regularly to visit and then hide in the nest.  It would appear to me that she could have laid eggs already.  Unfortunately I would not have time to see them hatch because tomorrow we'll be on the way back to Bintulu.  Whatever it is this visit has been most memorable for the chance it has given us to witness the pair building their nest and then making use of it for its intended puropose i.e. to lay eggs.  I wish more chicks will be borne in our garden in future.

More birdlife seen

Asian glossy starling

 Besides a nesting pair of Olive-backed sunbird, the other birds that are dropping by at regular basis at the garden are the Perling or Asian Glossy Starling and the Pipit.  Here are some pictures of the birds seen within the last two weeks.

Olive-backed sunbird - female

Olive-backed sunbird - male

Pipit

Side and back garden

Back garden - showing the Cassia alata leaves at left and red flowers of the Ixora coccinea at right

 The Laman Kambatik (Malay) or Kambatik garden is providing much shade, greenery and colours now.  It has developed a micro-climate attracting many birds, butterflies, bees and various insects.  Its bio-diversity network is broadened.  Indeed on this trip I was especially pleased with the behaviours of a nesting couple of the Olive-backed sunbird of which I have blogged in previous postings.  Below are some pictures of the back and side garden.  I have included the Perling bird which I saw this afternoon having a rest on the Tabebeuia rosea branch.

Coconut trees at left and in background is the Mango tree
At center is the Starfruit tree and at right is the White chempaka (Michelia alba)

Side garden - looking south
At left is durian tree and right is the Kedondong tree, with lots of fruits

A Perling bird resting on the branch of the Tabebuia rosea tree...