Tuesday, April 12, 2011

East Malaysia VII: Gomantong Cave

Gomantong Cave - claimed to be the best managed bird nest cave in the world. I can not be sure whether it is true, but one thing for sure is, they collect very high charges for photographic equipment and making tonne of money out of it.



At the entrance of the cave











Poisonous long-legged centipede 

The stairs is full of all kind of shits and terribly slippery . Fall down here will be a disaster


An natural opening







Bats - day time is full of bats and swiftlet will take over at nights


Looking out the cave


House of the local bird's net collectors




Black-and-yellow Broadbill 黑黃闊嘴鳥 นกพญาปากกว้างเล็ก - this is the bird that make me decided to pay for the 30 RM/camera charges. 

Monday, April 11, 2011

East Malaysia VI: Sepilok Night Walk

One of the most wonderful animal you would see in this night walk is the flying squirrel. They fly (or more accurately, glide) from tree to tree. Owing to the poor light condition and relatively high flying speed, I didn't manage to take a presentable photo, but it is worth mentioning to have seen this amazing animals here.


Our guide, can't remember his name

Catching a millipede


Taking the photo of the shy Slow Loris

A sleeping Ruby-cheeked Sunbird 紫颊直嘴太阳鸟 นกกินปลีแก้มสีทับทิม

Said to be the second slowest animal in this planet - Slow Loris (the slowest is  the South American  Sloth). We were truly fortunate to spot this amazing animals and managed to record them.

Snake

Black Squirrel

Kind of mysterious insect

Lizard

Millipede

Scorpion

Snail

Spider



East Malaysia V: Rainforest Discovery Center (RDC), Sepilok, Sabah

Not far away from Sepilok Orangutan Center is RDC, where the famous birding Borneo Bird Festival takes place.


The canopy is huge and high up.

Birdwatching Tower - there are many of them strategically situated  inside the park for birdwatcher.

Searching for birds


From the bird watching tower






A look from the ground


Bleeding tree


Board walk


Some mysterious reddish fruit


I gave up another planned trip to Sepilok Orangutan Center in order to stay longer in this birding heaven, but to my disappointment, my effort was fruitless and I just managed to snap a few of them. 









Hanging canopy







Giant Squirrel

Crested Serpent-eagle 大冠鷲 เหยี่ยวรุ้ง

Brown Barbet 褐拟啄木鸟 นกจอกป่าหัวโต

The endemic "Borneo Bristlehead" - This is the must see in RDC, a bit unlucky for failing to spot even one of the.