Friday, November 15, 2019

Dusky Leaf Monkey of Bukit Tinggi

After visiting Thomson Nature Park, I remember I met some leaf monkey sometimes ago and have not blog anything about it. After going through my photo library, found some lovely pictures of Dusky leaf monkeys also known as Spectacled langur, or Spectacled leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus)
Spectacled leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus)
My main purpose of this trip is birding and the appearance of these leaf monkeys just came as extra bonus.
Spectacled leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus)
This langur almost finish all the young leaf and looks like is trying to eat the new branch?
Spectacled leaf monkey (Trachypithecus obscurus)
I can watch them the whole day! With the spectacle like eye ring, make it super cute.
Their tail is longer than the Long tail macaque!
Despite of their size larger than the long tail macaque that doesn't stop them from jumping from one tree to another.

They have such a good balancing skill, pluck leaf with one hand with another hand free without holding to any tree branches!

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Thomson Nature Park

Thomson Nature Park is unique for its heritage, a former Hainan village and key conservation for critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur.
Thomson Nature Park
 Not a very big park, just 50-hectare in size. There are a lot of surprises awaiting for those who pay attention enough of the surrounding.
 Without boardwalk, not the best method but is good enough to prevent the root flatten by park goers.
 The sign of formal village is everywhere, such as this mosaic floor.
 The pillar and partial wall was left behind to tell the story of the settlers who arrived from China.

 The nature had reclaimed the area once lost to the civilisation.
This remind me of my childhood. I spend quite some time everyday watching my guppy fish in the salted egg urn (on the top left corner). Almost every family will have at least one to keep rain water.
Other than the "lost village", there are lots of creatures waiting to be found just like any nature reserve or forest. Due to low lighting, can't have a clear shot of this forest cockroach.
 A very beautiful living gem stone... a Red Chilocorus ladybug beetle.
 A close-up look of a Yellow Ladybug beetle.
 Lots of jumping spiders if you like macro shots.
 Elegant golden jumping spider
The best chance to have a glimpse of critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur will be here if you are lucky. I should try my luck here again soon. :)

Friday, November 8, 2019

Back to Bali Big Blue Pt 3

Super excited that I will be back to the dive site that is so interesting. Ever since I first dive at this site last month, I been waiting to dive here again whenever I can. This is the site for those who loves much diving and looking for all the tiny creatures.
Ambon Scorpion Fish
What an interesting find. So good to see this weird looking Ambon Scorpion Fish! Another fish that able to 'walk' with their fins.
Phyllidia ocellata
There are lots of nudis too. Such as this Phyllidia ocellata nudibranch.
Goniobranchus Coi
Another amazing looking nudibranch - Goniobranchus Coi
Mexichromis mariei
I will never get tired of taking nudibranch photos. Another beautiful nudi - Mexichromis mariei
Nembrotha kubaryana
An Nembrotha kubaryana hanging on to the hydroid in strong current.
skeleton shrimp
Another interesting find! This skeleton shrimp almost invisible taking shelter on hydroid. Not to mention the tiny size of just few millimeters.
When diving in this part of the world, very high chance that you will find something that not in any guide book. Such as this un-describe Eubranchus sp. nudibranch.
Familiar? Does it looks like a Pikachu? Another interesting nudibranch that undescribe - Thecacera sp.
Yet another un-describe species of Eubranchus
I really don't know what I am looking when see them underwater. About 3-4mm with strong current, really not sure what I am taking and only can see the details when I view it on my pc. Yet another Costesiella sp. that you won't find it in any guide book.
This pair is probably Costasiella kuroshima?
Costasiella usagi
This Costasiella usagi really looks like a sheep. I am sure will go back to Bali for more! Just can't get enough of all this cute little, tiny creatures!

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Back to Bali Big Blue Pt 2

2nd time in a month do have advantage. Knowing what to expect and I have more target in mind after my last dive few weeks ago. I'm so looking forward to tomorrow dives as I have special request to dive at a place I like it very much during my last visit here. 
Even though I really look forward to tomorrow dive, that doesn't mean today diving will be boring. Turtle sighting for my first dive. What a good start of this diving trip.
This creature is almost invisible when first saw it underwater. Is a benthic ctenophore or more commonly known as Comb Jellies or Sea Gooseberries.
A very colourful giant clamp
A huge Emperor Angelfish
Saw this fish that 'walk' at the bottom of the sea.
No surprises why this crab is called Orang Utang crab.
Egg ribbon of Spanish Dancer nudibranch.
Another well camouflage Short-fin Lionfish
Possibly a Triviidae (sea snail)
An octopus is out to hunt for food. I will say this is a good dive and not boring at all.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Back to Bali Big Blue

Merely after  month coming back from Bali after my last dive, I am at Bali again joining my friends for another dive trip. However, the visibility is much worse than my last trip here.
It happens to be on a full moon and we see the highest wave on the shore and that make our entry to the water even more challenging. Is the worst visibility that I ever had for Bali. The visibility is only about 3m at max. This was due to the strong current that brought up the silts from the bottom.

As usual, Liberty wreck is one site we will go whenever we dive here.
The Liberty wreck become even more mysterious under the low visibility.

Is always exciting to see sea turtle  up-close.
Liberty wreck became our playground for a day.
Strong current also means that is easier to see garden eel up-close too without worry that they will burrow in as they are feeding most actively during strong current.
This is how bad the visibility today, anything after the fish about 3m away is almost disappear.
One last look at the nemo (clown fish) before we surface.