Wow it has been a month i didn't write anything in here. Okay, let say good bye to the year of 2009. Only two more days to go guys. It's New Year!!!
Ok ok....Before i wish for new year allow me to wish each and everyone who visits my blog a "BLESSED CHRISTMAS EVERYONE". I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas celebration with your family and friends. With your loves one.
So, it is only about 48 hours to celebrate new year so, I want to wish all of you "HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010". May all of you will be showers with joy, peace and love. May all your dreams for this new year will come true. God bless us all and peace to the world.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Pangolins in trouble
The Star Online (Tuesday December 9 2003)
* Although this is outdated news but this trade still happen and pangolin populations may faced a bad shape.
The pangolin may wear a suit of armour but that has not prevented it from ending up on dinner plates and medicinal stores, writes STEPHEN HOGG.
THE Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) or tenggiling in Malay is a little-known animal. This strange and rarely seen member of the family Manidae from the order Pholidota is an old-world creature once associated with anteaters, sloths and armadillos.
Once frequently encountered across Malaysia in rubber plantations and oil palm estates, pangolins are more commonly seen these days adorning dinner plates and traditional medicine shops in China.
This ground-dwelling, scaled animal measures close to 1m in length and weighs about 2kg. Completely covered from the neck to the tip of the tail (but not the face, throat and belly) with hard armour-like scales, this unusual creature more closely resembles the new-world armadillo. The scales are tough and made up of agglutinated hair, somewhat like the rhinoceros horn.
Equipped with a long prehensile tail, short powerful legs, tiny eyes and a slender, pointed head, this creature is very adept to its home on the forest floor. Rarely seen in the wild, this elusive species is more probably seen by the public lying dead on the road as a result of a motor accident.
Native to both South-East Asia and Africa, the pangolin prefers lowland to lower-montane forests up to an elevation of about 1,200m. Its strong prehensile tail has several functions, one of which is to act as a support when the animal stands up tall on its hind legs and another is as an extra limb whilst foraging for food in the branches of trees.
The pangolin lives almost entirely on ants and termites. These it locates by scent using its long, flexible and highly sensitive snout. Occasionally, the pangolin eats other soft-bodied insects or grubs but it favours ants which it picks up frantically using its long, sticky tongue which can measure more than the length of its head and body. Amazingly, the pangolin can shoot its tongue out to lengths of up to 25cm.
The tail is used as a support when the animal stands up on its hind legs whilst using its strong forelegs to tear open termite mounds. Superbly adapted for this type of feeding, the pangolin’s face and eyes are protected by thick skin and eyelids. It also has the ability to open and close its nostrils, thus completely protecting itself from ant or termite attack.
Equally suited to trees as it is the ground, the pangolin is an excellent climber. It does this using a caterpillar-type motion: it holds the tree tightly with its fore legs and then brings its hind legs up and so on. It searches tree branches for its favourite food – the leaf nests of weaver ants.
Pangolins now face an uncertain future as humans decimate their population through trade in pangolin skin, leather, meat, scales and live animals. Most of these are destined for China. The pangolin trade is now a major industry. At this rate this animal must certainly be in serious danger of extinction.
In Vietnam it was reported in April that officials confiscated some 600 pangolins and 700 monitor lizards totalling 4.5 tonnes. The animals had been smuggled into Vietnam from Malaysia but, upon their discovery, neither the receivers nor the senders wanted to keep them. Vietnamese officials had no choice but to incinerate the animals after they “failed to adapt to their new habitat.”
Last December, my wife and I encountered a truck filled with 190 pangolins that had just been confiscated by Thai authorities after entering Thailand from Malaysia. Shocking as it may seem, this is not a rare occurrence, with confiscations happening almost daily and numbers of animals reaching up to 500 in one load. Who is to say how many actually reach their destination and evade confiscation?
This trade is illegal but still it goes on. Traders from China apparently paying as much as RM1,500 per animal only encourage perpetrators to continue this illicit trade. There is high demand for scales in traditional Chinese medicines. They are thought to be a powerful antiseptic; medicines made from pangolin scales supposedly cure fevers, skin disorders and venereal diseases.
According to Chris Shepherd of TRAFFIC South-East Asia, a wildlife trade-monitoring organisation, there is currently no legal international commercial trade of the pangolins. “The illegal trade in pangolins is largely out of control, with large shipments of animals being smuggled across numerous international borders, often by the lorry load, to their final destination in China.
“It is not known where all the pangolins are coming from. This is where the public has a role to play ? in supplying the authorities with the information they need to complete this puzzle and to stop this large, illicit trade.”
It is unfortunate that statistics on pangolins are missing in this country. Ask any organisation “What is the status of the pangolin population in Malaysia right now?” and the answer is ... no one can tell you.
There is simply not enough information, money or resources to study the pangolin and, judging from the amount of trade, there cannot be many of them left. This is where the public can help. We need to collect as much information as possible. Please go out and look for pangolins (but do not capture them) and document their whereabouts and their numbers. Then feed the information to wild1@pc.jaring.my to build up a databank on this unusual but beautiful creature.
* Although this is outdated news but this trade still happen and pangolin populations may faced a bad shape.
The pangolin may wear a suit of armour but that has not prevented it from ending up on dinner plates and medicinal stores, writes STEPHEN HOGG.
THE Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica) or tenggiling in Malay is a little-known animal. This strange and rarely seen member of the family Manidae from the order Pholidota is an old-world creature once associated with anteaters, sloths and armadillos.
Once frequently encountered across Malaysia in rubber plantations and oil palm estates, pangolins are more commonly seen these days adorning dinner plates and traditional medicine shops in China.
This ground-dwelling, scaled animal measures close to 1m in length and weighs about 2kg. Completely covered from the neck to the tip of the tail (but not the face, throat and belly) with hard armour-like scales, this unusual creature more closely resembles the new-world armadillo. The scales are tough and made up of agglutinated hair, somewhat like the rhinoceros horn.
Equipped with a long prehensile tail, short powerful legs, tiny eyes and a slender, pointed head, this creature is very adept to its home on the forest floor. Rarely seen in the wild, this elusive species is more probably seen by the public lying dead on the road as a result of a motor accident.
Native to both South-East Asia and Africa, the pangolin prefers lowland to lower-montane forests up to an elevation of about 1,200m. Its strong prehensile tail has several functions, one of which is to act as a support when the animal stands up tall on its hind legs and another is as an extra limb whilst foraging for food in the branches of trees.
The pangolin lives almost entirely on ants and termites. These it locates by scent using its long, flexible and highly sensitive snout. Occasionally, the pangolin eats other soft-bodied insects or grubs but it favours ants which it picks up frantically using its long, sticky tongue which can measure more than the length of its head and body. Amazingly, the pangolin can shoot its tongue out to lengths of up to 25cm.
The tail is used as a support when the animal stands up on its hind legs whilst using its strong forelegs to tear open termite mounds. Superbly adapted for this type of feeding, the pangolin’s face and eyes are protected by thick skin and eyelids. It also has the ability to open and close its nostrils, thus completely protecting itself from ant or termite attack.
Equally suited to trees as it is the ground, the pangolin is an excellent climber. It does this using a caterpillar-type motion: it holds the tree tightly with its fore legs and then brings its hind legs up and so on. It searches tree branches for its favourite food – the leaf nests of weaver ants.
Pangolins now face an uncertain future as humans decimate their population through trade in pangolin skin, leather, meat, scales and live animals. Most of these are destined for China. The pangolin trade is now a major industry. At this rate this animal must certainly be in serious danger of extinction.
In Vietnam it was reported in April that officials confiscated some 600 pangolins and 700 monitor lizards totalling 4.5 tonnes. The animals had been smuggled into Vietnam from Malaysia but, upon their discovery, neither the receivers nor the senders wanted to keep them. Vietnamese officials had no choice but to incinerate the animals after they “failed to adapt to their new habitat.”
Last December, my wife and I encountered a truck filled with 190 pangolins that had just been confiscated by Thai authorities after entering Thailand from Malaysia. Shocking as it may seem, this is not a rare occurrence, with confiscations happening almost daily and numbers of animals reaching up to 500 in one load. Who is to say how many actually reach their destination and evade confiscation?
This trade is illegal but still it goes on. Traders from China apparently paying as much as RM1,500 per animal only encourage perpetrators to continue this illicit trade. There is high demand for scales in traditional Chinese medicines. They are thought to be a powerful antiseptic; medicines made from pangolin scales supposedly cure fevers, skin disorders and venereal diseases.
According to Chris Shepherd of TRAFFIC South-East Asia, a wildlife trade-monitoring organisation, there is currently no legal international commercial trade of the pangolins. “The illegal trade in pangolins is largely out of control, with large shipments of animals being smuggled across numerous international borders, often by the lorry load, to their final destination in China.
“It is not known where all the pangolins are coming from. This is where the public has a role to play ? in supplying the authorities with the information they need to complete this puzzle and to stop this large, illicit trade.”
It is unfortunate that statistics on pangolins are missing in this country. Ask any organisation “What is the status of the pangolin population in Malaysia right now?” and the answer is ... no one can tell you.
There is simply not enough information, money or resources to study the pangolin and, judging from the amount of trade, there cannot be many of them left. This is where the public can help. We need to collect as much information as possible. Please go out and look for pangolins (but do not capture them) and document their whereabouts and their numbers. Then feed the information to wild1@pc.jaring.my to build up a databank on this unusual but beautiful creature.
One Flaw In Women
God doesn't give you the people you want; He gives you the people you NEED... to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.
One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men...
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in..
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Just For Reflections - Coffee Session
When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle,
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house,and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled..
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Please share this with other "Golf Balls"
When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class
And had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly,
He picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar
and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health, Friends, and Favorite passions –
Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house,and car.
The sand is everything else --The small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued,
'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
You will never have room for the things that are important to you.
So...
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
'Take care of the golf balls first --
The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled..
'I'm glad you asked'.
It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
Please share this with other "Golf Balls"
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Educate The Young
Do they really understand why they need to understand about their environment? Of what they have around them and appreciate it? 
Hug a TREE....why? for what? It is our responsibility to educate our young generation to understand more about the nature. We need to inspire our young generations to become life-long stewards of their mother nature. Educate our children to understand the consequences their choices and behavior have on their surroundings.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Rufous-collared Kingfisher (Actenoides concretus)
Actenoides concretus is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, from south Tenasserim, Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (formerly), Kalimantan, Sumatra (including offshore islands) and Java, Indonesia and Brunei.
This species occurs in the middle stratum and understorey of lowland and hill forest up to 1,500 m (1,700 m on Borneo). It inhabits only closed-canopy forest, but can occur in regenerating logged forest.
Threats Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998). The magnitude of these threats may be allayed by this species's tolerance of hill forest, which is under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion.
Repeated surveys across the range is essential to estimate population trends and rates of range contraction. Ensure the protection of remaining tracts of primary lowland rainforest throughout the range.
2009 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN): Near Threatened
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Ferns or Moss? What do you think?
I write a few posts about mosses before. Just a reminder to all readers, i am not a botanist (Pssst...I fail my botany paper during my uni). So, it is so clear that i didn't know much because since my uni i sort of "hate" plants. Okay, not a good start huh....That's why i still want to find something interesting about plants. Maybe from there i can build bit by bit my interests in them. Malay proverbs said "Tak kenal maka tak cinta"... So i have to get to know more about plants then.
In this photo you see it quite large but actually this is a very tiny plants. I think one tree (lump of leaves) is about 1cm. It is very small. That's why i thought it was a moss. 
So.........what is this?Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Photo of Photographer
Just for fun......i like this photo very much...I am taking other photographer photo....Nice one huh?....(^_^)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Black-and white Bulbul (Pycnonotus melanoleucos)
Pycnonotus melanoleucos is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, where is it known from peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore (formerly), Kalimantan and Sumatra (including Mentawai Island), Indonesia and Brunei. In is generally scarce, although it is sporadically fairly common in parts of Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. It may undertake nomadic movements.
This species occurs in broadleaved evergreen forest (including selectively logged forest), mixed-dipterocarp forest, secondary growth and forest edge, from lowlands up to at least 1,830 m. It is also recorded from luxuriant gardens and cultivation, peatswamp forest and overgrown plantations. Its nomadic tendencies suggest a degree of specialisation in foraging niche, although further research is needed to determine its habitat requirements.
Threats Rates of forest loss in the Sundaic lowlands have been extremely rapid, owing partly to the escalation of illegal logging and land conversion, with deliberate targeting of all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas. Forest fires have also had a damaging effect (particularly in 1997-1998). The magnitude of these threats may be allayed by this species's tolerance of hill forest, which is under less pressure from logging and agricultural conversion. However, as a nomadic species, it may be more susceptible to the effects of habitat fragmentation.
Conservation measures proposed Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, particularly the causes of nomadic movements, as well as levels of persistence in secondary and fragmented habitats. Conduct repeated surveys within the range to determine current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Effectively protect significant areas of suitable forest at key sites, in both strictly protected areas and community led multiple use areas.
This scarce and pooprly known species is currently considered Near Threatened, as it is suspected to be declining moderately rapidly throughout its range as a result of continuing habitat loss.
2009 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN): Near Threatened
BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pycnonotus melanoleucos. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org/ on 13/10/2009
**As i read through the information that i found, this bird is quite interesting. There are still a lot more to learn and understand about it (before it is too late). Actually this was my first experienced seeing this bird this close. It is always an exciting and amazing experience.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Odonata: Damselflies
The Damselfly (Suborder Zygoptera) is an insect in the order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest.
Furthermore, the hindwing of the damselfly is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body. Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their eyes are separated.
**I can't took a good photo of damselflies. I have tried almost fifty shots but this is the only two that shows clearly how this insects looks like.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios)
The Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios) is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family. It is found in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes, humid, lower-to-middle elevation evergreen forests, swampy forests, open dry forests, bamboo forests, thin tree jungles, and sometimes among clumps of trees near forests. (Wikipidea)
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000>10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. (BirdLife International, 2009)
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Ginger's Flower (Globba sp.)
Just wanted to share some more interesting picture that i have taken during my recent trip to the rainforest of Borneo. I posted some of my favourite wildlife photos in my Facebook but only my facebook friends are able to view it. One of my friends told me that i am lucky to be able to see these unique and amazing creature. That's why i think i have to share it here in my blog or my FB so that i am not too greedy and selfish, keeping it for myself. I didn't lost anything if i share besides i am happy coz i can share...........Interesting.................
What do you guys think of this creature? I am not good in insects though....i find out this is really interesting creature to share....this was the first time i saw this species. Is this grasshopper? or....??
Banded Palm Civet (Hemigalus derbyanus)
Small to medium-sized carnivores, civets are in the Viverridae family which includes genets, linsangs, and mongooses. Civets vary in size and form, but most present a catlike appearance with long noses, slender bodies, pointed ears, short legs and generally a long furry tail.
Banded palm civet is similar to banded linsang (Prionodon linsang) but banded linsang is smaller with entirely banded tail and spots on the body in addition to barring.
This is a juvenille banded palm civet that the local people captured. He actually tried to get the mother of this "unlucky" little civet but unfortunately he missed her. Mostly local people in this area eat civet's meat. After the mother run away this man saw this helpless little civet and captured it.
This local people tried to kept this little guy as their pet but he have problem with it. It do not eat fruits such as banana that he gave to it. Why? It is because banded palm civet is not frugivores. Their diets are earthworms, insects and other small animals both invertebrate and vertebrate.
When he saw me interested with this little guy, he ask me what this animal normally eat? I told him that info. Finally he decide to give it away to me. I was very happy and thinking of donate it to our mini zoo at KK. On my last day at that village, i was waiting for him to give me this little civet. However, he told me it was escaped because his kids forgot to closed the cage door. Anyway, i have other feeling about it. People at this area have a very bad habit. If they have something they will not give away freely. They want some token out of it. I will not do it because if i buy it, this will give them some demand on getting more wild animals to be sold as a pet. This happen before. The other guy from this village kept Bornean Gibbon as a pet. One teacher teaching in that village saw it and he admired this gibbon very much. He offered him about RM500 for that gibbon and he just sell it. Not only that, the other guy from the adjacent village own a Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) and wanted to sell it with the price RM30.
Even how i really wanted this animal to live freely in the forest i still not gonna buy it from them. There is still a way that can make this people aware that it is wrong to sell this wild animal. They know it is against the Wildlife Enactment (law) but when there is demand they just get it. They need money to live their own life too. Therefore the only thing that i can do is by giving them awareness on why we need to let this animal stays in the forest. Especially the young/juvenile one.
It is still a long way to go. Working with human is not easy...................we have unique and different mind set...hmmmm...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Interesting Info About Civet
Don't you think that civet is one of an interesting animal? Here are some info on what civets can gave us......
Civet oil has been used in the perfume industry for centuries and has been recorded as being imported from Africa by King Solomon in the tenth century B.C. Once refined, civet oil is prized for its odor and long lasting properties.
Civet oil is also valued for its medicinal uses which include the reduction of perspiration, a cure for some skin disorders and claims of aphrodisiac powers. Although the development of sensitive chemical substitutes has decreased the value of civet oil, it is still a part of some East African and Oriental economies.
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Kopi Luwak are robusta or arabica coffee beans which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Common Palm Civet. This process takes place on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago.
"Kopi" is the Indonesian word for coffee and "Luwak" is local name of this animal which eats the raw red coffee 'cherries' as part of its usual diet. This animal eats a mixed diet of insects, small mammals and fruits along with the softer outer part of the coffee cherry but does not digest the inner beans, instead excreting them still covered in some inner layers of the cherry.
Locals then gather the beans -- which come through the 'animal stage' fairly intact -- and sell them on to dealers. It is believed that enzymes in the stomach of the civet add to the coffee's flavour through fermentation of some type.
"Kopi" is the Indonesian word for coffee and "Luwak" is local name of this animal which eats the raw red coffee 'cherries' as part of its usual diet. This animal eats a mixed diet of insects, small mammals and fruits along with the softer outer part of the coffee cherry but does not digest the inner beans, instead excreting them still covered in some inner layers of the cherry.
Locals then gather the beans -- which come through the 'animal stage' fairly intact -- and sell them on to dealers. It is believed that enzymes in the stomach of the civet add to the coffee's flavour through fermentation of some type.
Read more info on Kopi Luwak here: Paradise Coffee
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Flowing Water
When there is so many works have to be done. Brain are stuck and my mind out focus.
So, what should i do???
Hmmm..better to take 5 and search for any interesting and lovely photos from my picture albums. Log in to blogger.com and write a post.....
Yes..that i what i should do. My blog is so outdated. A few weeks without any stories.
Just wanna share this photo....the water source which create a waterfall.......something like that....
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...............fall down here. Can't stand so near the wall, a bit scary when look down from that top....you jump.......end of the story..........
So, what should i do???
Hmmm..better to take 5 and search for any interesting and lovely photos from my picture albums. Log in to blogger.com and write a post.....
Yes..that i what i should do. My blog is so outdated. A few weeks without any stories.
Just wanna share this photo....the water source which create a waterfall.......something like that....
The water flow from this river up on the ridges...........................
....................down through this top and.....................
...............fall down here. Can't stand so near the wall, a bit scary when look down from that top....you jump.......end of the story..........
Sabah Research Field Centre
I was busy preparing one of my working paper on establishments of the research and education centre in our area. While doing my writing i surf the net. Trying to look for an idea. I found quite interesting development of research field centre all around the world. To fit into local needs i may try to combine some of it. Facilities may not too expenssive but still can cater needs of visitors and this place as a rainforest learning hub.
Okay, too much talking. Actually i want to share a few of my findings. Here is the link to a few numbers of field centres.
Okay, too much talking. Actually i want to share a few of my findings. Here is the link to a few numbers of field centres.
This centre is a collaborative research and training facility managed by Cardiff University and Sabah Widlife Department.
Danum Valley Conservation Area (DVCA) is a Class I (Protection) Forest Researve located on the western side of the upper reaches of the Segama River in Southeast Sabah, and is the largest remaining area of undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah.
Maliau Basin Conservation Area is situated just above the Equator in south central Sabah, the northernmost of the two East Malaysian states on the island of Borneo.
Imbak Canyon Conservation Area is located almost right in the heart of Sabah, just north of the famous Maliau Basin. It is in the Yayasan Sabah Forest Management Area, approximately 80 kilometers south of Telupid.
**I think enough for this four for now. There are still a lot more. I am so grateful because we still have this much of forested areas. However, the battle is still going on for the indigenous people and life inside these forests.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
So Much Work So Little Time
It was a long silence from me. I think it has been two weeks without any posts from me. I was busy completing my paper work and of course out in the field for a few days. This is my work and i choose to do it. So, i have to do it without complaining.
I recieve an email from a friend today. It is about family.............
F A M I L Y
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old..
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown...
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said...
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue....'
FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives..
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?
Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
**Interesting story right? Hope you enjoy my post today.....:D
I recieve an email from a friend today. It is about family.............
F A M I L Y
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.
He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old..
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown...
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.'
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said...
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'
I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'
He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway.'
I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue....'
FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives..
And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?
Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
**Interesting story right? Hope you enjoy my post today.....:D
Monday, August 24, 2009
Little Young Birdie - Part 2
Still remember i share about one little bird that we found? You can check in my previous post . I can't remember clearly when i return to that place. I was trying to observed her daily but i was so busy with other thing.
Actually on the day i arrive there, it was so windy at night. The next day i check on her and i was shocked when the nest was fall down from that leaves. I found her hiding under the dried tree leaves. I picked her up and put her back in the nest. Then i gently put the nest back on the leaves as it was before.
People always told me that if human touch the youngs, the mother will abandon her youngs or eat them. I just ignore it and i want this little birdie to be safely in her nest. I took her photo when she already rest comfortly in her nest. Even though at first she was refused and jump off the nest when i put her back in it.
She look really nice and and just wait another day to learn to fly. I don't know what species of bird is this because i din't see her mother visit her. It was really difficult to catch her mum feeds her.
Two days after i took the above photos, she was left her nest. I found the nest was empty. She didn't say good bye to me but it is okay. I know she will doing well in the forest.
Actually on the day i arrive there, it was so windy at night. The next day i check on her and i was shocked when the nest was fall down from that leaves. I found her hiding under the dried tree leaves. I picked her up and put her back in the nest. Then i gently put the nest back on the leaves as it was before.
People always told me that if human touch the youngs, the mother will abandon her youngs or eat them. I just ignore it and i want this little birdie to be safely in her nest. I took her photo when she already rest comfortly in her nest. Even though at first she was refused and jump off the nest when i put her back in it. 
She look really nice and and just wait another day to learn to fly. I don't know what species of bird is this because i din't see her mother visit her. It was really difficult to catch her mum feeds her.
Two days after i took the above photos, she was left her nest. I found the nest was empty. She didn't say good bye to me but it is okay. I know she will doing well in the forest. After that, I observed almost everyday one bird keep chirping around this nest and maybe that is her. Still i am not sure who is this bird. Still lots to learn about this interesting and wonderful creature.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wild Animal In Captivity
I am not going to elaborate much about the wild animal being kept in captivity (e.g. Zoo). I just want to share some of their photos that i capture during my recent visit to one of the local zoological park.
The Bornean Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri)
The Tiger (Panthera tigris) playing alone.
The Bornean Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) resting.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis)
The Bornean Gibbon (Hylobates muelleri)
The Tiger (Panthera tigris) playing alone.
The Bornean Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) resting.
The Borneo Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis)Monday, August 17, 2009
I Am Away Again
I will be away again from today until 20th August. I've tried my best to keep my blog update but my spare time is limited now. So many interesting things to share. Just be patient waiting for my stories guys.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunrise & Sunset - My 200th Posts
Time flies so fast. This is my 200th posts and this is the second year of my blog. I think my blog 1st anniversary was 22nd April 2009 and i was forgot about it. So, i am proud that after about a year plus i reach my 200th post today!
So i give you one of my favourites which is scenery photos. This is sunrise and sunset photos for you guys to enjoy.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fungi - Consumeable or Poisonous 2
In my previous post about fungi, i recieved feedback from my friend and he told me both species are not consumeable. I do not know about it but better not try to eat it if we don't know. So, this time i put up another two species of fungi but just for your eyes only.
I don't think this is consumeable too. Both photos above are the same species and i found it on the fallen log.
Same goes to these two photos of fungi. I also found it on fallen log. Any idea guys? Do anyone of you know what is this fungi?
Need your feedback and share your knowledge with us.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Giant Ant
Camponotus gigas is a dominant member of the ant communities of the Southeast Asian rainforests and one of the largest ant species in the world.
Minors of C. gigas have a mean head width of 3.56 mm and a mean weight of 135 mg; majors have a mean head width of 6.9 mm and a mean weight of 372 mg (Pfeiffer & Linsenmair, 2007).
Based on that information, i guess you guys can compare it's size with the other ants that you know.
In tropical rainforest of Borneo, i have seen this guy quite frequently. I have seen them in Sarawak and Sabah. Not to tell the specific place but they are quite easy to find if you walk inside the forest.
Minors of C. gigas have a mean head width of 3.56 mm and a mean weight of 135 mg; majors have a mean head width of 6.9 mm and a mean weight of 372 mg (Pfeiffer & Linsenmair, 2007).
Based on that information, i guess you guys can compare it's size with the other ants that you know.
In tropical rainforest of Borneo, i have seen this guy quite frequently. I have seen them in Sarawak and Sabah. Not to tell the specific place but they are quite easy to find if you walk inside the forest.
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