10 April 2012
08 April 2012
04 April 2012
18 March 2012
More bugs and lizards at Man Kok Tsui
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| Lantern Bug |
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| Lantern Bug |
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| Lantern Bug |
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| Paris Peacock Butterfly |
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| Gecko Chinensis |
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| Gecko Chinensis |
The butterflies were definitely out in force. These two certainly had things on their mind as they got down to business in the bushes. The photo does not really do their colours justice. Brilliant greens.
Meanwhile down in the fruit trees we discovered the branches to be literally crawling with these horny critters. Apparently folklore dictates anyone bitten by one of these will die unless they have sex within 24 hours. Will report back tomorrow. In fact they do not bite and the strange shape is their mouth that they use to suck spa from lychee and longan trees.
Then my instant tattoo appeared. The gecko was lucky to live as I first thought I had a cockroach on my leg or some other less attractive beasty and just managed to stop myself swatting it.
09 January 2012
Nature spotted recently
Over Christmas we made a trip to Cheung Chau. As we were sat on the seafront, minding our own business and watching the fishing crews sort out their nets we saw five or six kites wheeling around and diving down to pick up scraps floating in the harbour. Nothing new there except for the arrival of a very sleek falcon that seemed to be joining in the fun too. It was too far away to identify it properly. It was obviously smaller than the kites by about 25% or so and had the classic falcon wings but with a rather long and squarely shaped tail.
(June 25th - Now after much trawling of bird books and silhouette images, I am pleased to say the bird was or was probably an Eastern Marsh Harrier. Another first for me too.)
Out at Man Kok Tsui on New Years Day we watched a large and powerful bird of prey cruising the updrafts from the hill sides. Square winged with fingered feathers and a wide rounded tail. Alas, again it was just a silhouette and we had no way of sizing it against other birds but it was certainly large and soured perfectly.
Over on the Mui Wo side we were treated to a great daytime view of a Muntjak deer that had wandered out onto the raod from the hillside at Nam Shan. Somehow, despite the rattling diesel engine of our taxi the deer seemed completely unflustered and after blocking the taxi's path for a few seconds it decided to turn back and calmly sauntered off into the trees.
A splendid example of a red billed blue magpie was seen sunning itself in the treetops in the Tung Chung Road pass between Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak on Sunday morning and later that same day I spotted a Jay hunting in the treeline at the Western side of the airport (near to the business aviation buildings).
(June 25th - Now after much trawling of bird books and silhouette images, I am pleased to say the bird was or was probably an Eastern Marsh Harrier. Another first for me too.)
Out at Man Kok Tsui on New Years Day we watched a large and powerful bird of prey cruising the updrafts from the hill sides. Square winged with fingered feathers and a wide rounded tail. Alas, again it was just a silhouette and we had no way of sizing it against other birds but it was certainly large and soured perfectly.
Over on the Mui Wo side we were treated to a great daytime view of a Muntjak deer that had wandered out onto the raod from the hillside at Nam Shan. Somehow, despite the rattling diesel engine of our taxi the deer seemed completely unflustered and after blocking the taxi's path for a few seconds it decided to turn back and calmly sauntered off into the trees.
A splendid example of a red billed blue magpie was seen sunning itself in the treetops in the Tung Chung Road pass between Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak on Sunday morning and later that same day I spotted a Jay hunting in the treeline at the Western side of the airport (near to the business aviation buildings).
02 January 2012
What on earth is going on?
Sadly our neighbours have decided to make a fish farm at Man Kok Tsui. The land us is designated as for agricultural purposes only, fish farming not being agriculture noone is quite sure what is going to happen. Suffice to say there are diggers everywhere and pallets of cement and bricks have been delivered and line up along the beach. An area of about 500 square meters has been completely flattened, all the trees removed and a huge hole is being dug down into the sand.
Its a real mess and a real shame, however there is light at the end of the tunnel as yesterday two reporters were on hand taking photos and asking questions. They told me that they will check the land use carefully before approaching the government to ask what is going on. If the works are found to be illegal then the work will be stopped and someone will have to put it all back to how it was. I only hope that the do this quickly.
Its a real mess and a real shame, however there is light at the end of the tunnel as yesterday two reporters were on hand taking photos and asking questions. They told me that they will check the land use carefully before approaching the government to ask what is going on. If the works are found to be illegal then the work will be stopped and someone will have to put it all back to how it was. I only hope that the do this quickly.
29 November 2011
Burmese python - Mui Wo
This snake slithered onto next door's front yard area in Mui Wo, yesterday evening. During the afternoon the usually placid dogs that laze around in the garden next door were frantic, barking and generally very very excited. I had a rake around in the shrubs nearby but never saw a thing. Maybe I need my eyes testing as the python was appeared to be 7 or 8 feet long, See the shoes in the pictures for a scale reference. I grabbed an empty wheely bin and put it on its side next to the snake's head. Within a few seconds it had taken the hint and was coiled up inside so I simply righted the bin and closed the lid. Eventually the cops turned up and the snake was put into a rice sack and they carried it away.
23 September 2011
It's been a while
Summers over now and the weather is back to a very pleasant mid twenties and with less and less humidity each day. Had some great days on the beach at MKT doing nothing much at all, sandcastles, hunting for pirate treasure, scrambling over the rocks with the boys and generally making full use of the hammock.
The garden has been retamed and is now basically under control. The jungle of weeds and plants that seem to grow up to knee height in no time at all have been dug up and the ground is now clear.
The well waters seem to be holding their own and delivering up clean water (well except for the time when a frog decided to live in the pipe and block the water).
We have had a few visits from our rodent friends, one of which had the idea of living in the kitchen cupboards. A persistent gypsy it was but eventually the bugger was caught and sent on its way.
Not too many snakes seen this year, a couple of red necked keel backs in the garden and apparently another python made a foolhardy attempt at snaffling a chicken next door. There is evidence of a pretty wide snake though as a discarded skin was discovered outside the kitchen door. I am no expert but it had not faded completely and looked like it may have belonged to a rat snake.
Birds, we have a resident buzzard who seems to perch out on the telegraph pole just behind us. Bright yellow feet and a very condescending look. Seems to appear most when it is raining, maybe the pole is in the lee of the hill and it shelters there from the winds? Apparently, I have also been luckily enough to see a pied kingfisher, a rarity I am reliably told.
The garden has been retamed and is now basically under control. The jungle of weeds and plants that seem to grow up to knee height in no time at all have been dug up and the ground is now clear.
The well waters seem to be holding their own and delivering up clean water (well except for the time when a frog decided to live in the pipe and block the water).
We have had a few visits from our rodent friends, one of which had the idea of living in the kitchen cupboards. A persistent gypsy it was but eventually the bugger was caught and sent on its way.
Not too many snakes seen this year, a couple of red necked keel backs in the garden and apparently another python made a foolhardy attempt at snaffling a chicken next door. There is evidence of a pretty wide snake though as a discarded skin was discovered outside the kitchen door. I am no expert but it had not faded completely and looked like it may have belonged to a rat snake.
Birds, we have a resident buzzard who seems to perch out on the telegraph pole just behind us. Bright yellow feet and a very condescending look. Seems to appear most when it is raining, maybe the pole is in the lee of the hill and it shelters there from the winds? Apparently, I have also been luckily enough to see a pied kingfisher, a rarity I am reliably told.
14 June 2011
Nearly trod on this blighter today
I had to walk over to the house today to chcek on some plumbing works. It was baking hot and I was walking quite slowly so probably not making much noise or vibration on the concrete path as I slothed along. Nipper the ever faithdul pooch was dawdling along behind me when a beautiful, red necked keel backed snake, about two to three feet long slithered onto the path in front of me. I barely had time to stop walking, I was so close to it. Another step and I would have certainly stood on it if had not been looking. Nipper took absolutely no notice of it all (thankfully). It's apparently not lethal but does deliver a venomous bite. The snake eventually took refuge in the leaf litter at the side of the path where despite its colourful markings it had superb camouflage.
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