Yellow Vented Bulbul

Almost a family member - no problem taking its photo !

Last night, I decided to surf the net to find out the name of the bird that built  its nest on my mango tree (see post dated : 6 June 2011).  Yes, I feel rather small that except for those frequently sighted birds in Bird parks, Aviaries, etc my knowledge on common birds  in Malaysia is really  limited.  I was delighted when after a couple of hours of surfing on Tropical Birds,  I came across a picture that looked similar to my little friend. So I reconfirmed with a few other sites  including those where they have videos of birds songs. I am pretty confident that the bird identity is  indeed the "Yellow Vented Bulbul "  ( Pycnonotus goiavier or Merbah Kapur (malay).  This  following site has an nice article and  more information about this bird - do check it out !  ( http://www.naturia.per.sg/buloh/birds/Pycnonotus_goiavier.htm)

  

Yea ...this bird is at home in my garden !

So my little friend is a common bird indeed. Nevertheless now knowing its name and its characteristics I am not so afraid of frightening it away, considering that this bird is used to  humans  already : - ) !  Actually for the last few  days I finally caught sight of the  pair o f them .. but they are seldom together.  One will be singing noisely, perched on the tree, while the other will be sitting quietly on the nest. I think this is what they call the strategy distraction ......! So focused are we on watching the singing bird, we may not notice its partner sneaking quietly  back to its nest to feed its babies !  

Perched high up on the Joy Perfume Tree ...

Handsome bird indeed !

Keeping a watch out for its partner, I am sure  ....

 I sure hope these birds will keep the population of nasty insects in my garden under control .... ! 

3 days on the Rose Cactus - revisited

Cluster of Buds

The Rose Cactus (posted : 30th Oct 2010) looks threatening  with those long thin spiky thorns. Whenever  I look at it, it seemed to be saying, " Don't come any nearer  ..." .  I thought I would place  a pot of the Rose Cactus just outside the kitchen window to stop the cats from climbing into my kitchen.  One can see the ugly marks the cats left when  they scaled the wall to the window ....! For a couple of months, I did not  see the cats again.  Then one afternoon, I saw one of   the cats peering at me coldly through the window, and it seemed to say , "  You silly  human, no thorny plant is going to keep me out for long! " This crafty cat must have learn how to avoid the thorns ....! Well, I guess I will have to rethink  a  new strategy or  just keep the windows closed.

Somehow even though the rose cactus plant have bloomed numerous times before,  they are no less appealing to me, in fact if possible they look  as exquisite each time .  So each time I see the buds, I stand charmed  - even more so when they appear in a cluster.

Very captivating indeed !

One is ready to bloom

Top View

It bloomed a couple of hours later .....

Side View

This single bloom actually lasts just a day, by evening the flower  will close only to re-open briefly again the next morning.  So on the second day, its job is done, and it starts to wilt.  Sad to see this happening, but that is the circle of life ... .Soon another bud will open to take its place, sometimes two or more might open simultaneously.  One gets to enjoy the blooms until all the buds are done... how long will that be ? Well,  I need to monitor and find out !  Another virtue of being a gardener,  we learn to be more observant .... :- ) !