Birding at Fraser's Hills

Three weeks...that was the semester break I had and it was almost over before I realised I didn't do that much with the time. So, I decided to go birding on my own today, seizing the opportunity that schools are not on holidays (it was over a week ago), meaning holiday destinations would be less crowded. This is extremely important if you want to see any birds in action. My hunch was exact as Fraser's Hills was almost deserted today sauf for a few cars (mine included) and I loved the serenity of the moment. I even got to do Jeriau Waterfalls, having missed it for the last two decades after the siltation from building everywhere almost destroyed the area in the 80s. I was pleasantly surprised that the water was clear and clean. That having said, I was extremely disappointed with Rompin Trail as there were only rubbish, especially plastic wrappers everywhere (I suspect its vicinity to the school a contributing factor) and there were nothing to see, only noise from the nearby school - and yes, traffic noise too.

a Painted Jezebel resting on a fern frond

wild raspberry

a Chocolate Tiger

a nice pigeon

view of the Main Range from near the Smoke House

a Silver-eared Mesia

long tailed sibia

a mapwing, Cyretis maenalis martini

flowering trees near the waterfall

a common montaine tree usually found near damp areas

Silver Breasted Broadbill

Horsefield Baron

a Slaty-backed Forktail, a very shy bird found usually close to the water's edge

Jeriau Waterfalls

a mangosteen-like tree at Jeriau with tiny waxy flowers

Bamboo orchid everywhere

Melanocyma faunula faunula

Didymocarpus

a Rionid

a hyperactive Pygmy Mountain Squirrel, looking like a tiny chipmunk

Chestnut-capped Laughingthrush

a woodpecker

Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo

Large Niltava

orange coloured coral-like inflorescences of a Medinella

the Scott, once a colonial tavern now a restaurant

the renovated interiors

nice solid wood counter

entrance

Gunung Benom on the far horizon

new leaves on the canopies, giving Bukit Telaga autumn-flushed hues

Blue-winged Leafbird at Bukit Telaga on the way home

Update on Lata Jarum

It has been awhile since I last visited Lata Jarum and so last week, I dropped by for just a short visit around the principal cascades for some pix...

at the cascades

another view of the cascades

a tree with delicate fruits

the 'main' cascades from the overhead bridge

a spider

strange fruit

a flowering globe

damselflies seem to be everywhere

a female

a Magpie Crow butterfly

unusual visitor - a Scarlet Minivet (male)

a female nearby

Participative Dining (2)

Here's another dinner experience done for a friend almost two weeks back...

set up the table first

simple taste teaser: shrimp deep fried in lavender-scented batter served with suprême of orange and grapefruit

smoked salmon marinated with a vinaigrette of shallots, dill and mustard

gelée of verbena with tuna bits

first course: steamed potatoes with truffle-infused French butter, truffle oil and fleur de sel

oven-baked quail stuffed with risotto (flavoured with cèpes), purée of oven-baked red capsicum and black olive tapenade

Main course: pork belly braised with white wine, roasted garlic and beignet of zucchini and Chinese jasmine

Salad as requested to feel like "a bed of flowers" like the last time, pine nuts and Italian cheese. Dessert was again, tiramisu as requested and I didn't take any snapshot...