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?....(^_^)

Another Interesting Insects

A Cricket?
Hmmm......Not sure....
An Ants?
Hmm....looks like the Giant Ant but with wings? Not sure.......


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.