Rain, Rain Come Again

I love the rain!

It is a therapeutic effect for me when the island goes through a period of distinct dry spell. I will also speak for the other small wildlife especially the insects, frogs and spiders that will be rejoicing for the coming of the rain. 

The driest month of the year will always be February. In the month of March 2011, Langkawi received a higher rainfall as compared to the previous year. The best moment for this year's rain so far was two weeks ago when it rained constantly for three days! Yopppeeee! During those three days, I was on board a ship which was anchored somewhere off Pulau Tuba when that area was hit with strong wind and massive rainfall. The wind and rain did slow down at some point before their peak performance continued. It was an endurance rain!

When the weather calmed down, we walked on the deck and saw lots of terns flying around the ship hunting for those small fishes nearby. It was interesting to watch them fighting the rain and wind just to hunt, "Cari makan"-ma...

We were lucky to spot a tern at a very close range...click below for more pictures...

As the rain and the wind got heavier, we moved into the saloon. Peering through the window, a young tern was exhausted and decided to perched on the gunwale. It was there for more than 20 minutes and of course, allowing us to click our cameras away.

A young Onychoprion genus closed its eyes from the rain drops

This young Onychoprion genus opened its eyes as it sensed some audience

Apart from the therapeutic effect, the rain also sparked life to other flora. And this flora is one of my favorites...

A LIMESTONE FLORA

White Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum Niveum)

The blossom of Paphiopedilum Niveum usually starts slightly later of the year. However, this one here I have found a week ago has blossomed. Yeah!

After the three victorious rainy days, the dry spell has taken control again. The temperature reached between 38C-40C, so so hot and sunny. As such, I am going back to my teenage years of humming the song to welcome the rain..

Rain, Rain Come Again

Never ever

Go Away...

... and of course, this part "Never ever Go Away..." never happens. I just hate the dry spell.

After the rain - Love those clouds on my favorite mountain, Gunung Raya

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My Personal International Day of Biodiversity

May 22nd 2010 was the International day of Biological Diversity (Biodiversity). I had completely forgotten about it until the late evening. What if I was aware of this day when I got off the bed? What can I do? What does this day mean to me or to those around me? 

My only simple answer is that all of us depends on the biodiversity around us for the air we breathe, the food we eat, natural medicine that heals us, the beauty for us to admire and the economic value for a nation that depends on eco-tourism.

So, what did I do on this day?

Thankfully, I had an opportunity to head out on a kayak on this day in the afternoon to check out the biodiversity on this island. And this is what I had been waiting for after the long period of dry season on Langkawi. The awakening and the full bloom of White Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum Niveum).

If you google this orchid species and the word Langkawi, you will find some websites  had highlighted Langkawi is home to the Paph. Niveum. Therefore, it is not a secret anymore. However, where can you find it? heh, heh...Secret...

In the usual areas where this species of orchid were found, it did not seem to appear yet. I was beginning to worry that this species will suffer due to lack of rain, extreme heat and prolonged dry season on Langkawi. 

Under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Paph. Niveum is listed under protection of CITES Appendix-1, which prohibits commercial trade unless seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, and transported in sterile containers are not subject to the provisions of the Convention only if the specimens meet the definition of "artificially propagated" as agreed by the Conference of the Parties.

After paddling for a short while along this island, I was looking very carefully on the rocks. I was ecstatic to see a clump of Paph. Niveum leaves among the scrubs on the rocks. I started taking pictures. Bobbing up and down sitting on the kayak was a challenge to take sharp pictures. 

It seemed that my eyes were beginning to adjust to the images of this orchid and then shortly, I began to see more of this species!! In full bloom!!

The actual view of Paph. niveum. Can you spot it?

Paph. Niveum zoomed in.

The dash of heavy rain on previous days also allowed other plants to flower too.

Some sort of creepers. Need help to id this.

This creeper plant has tiny flowers. 

Some sort of orchid?? Need help to id this.

A Bamboo family. 

A rock taken off the wall by a massive root wrapped around it.

Some weird tree. 

With weird looking fruits. Need help to id this.

Also fauna like Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris), Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus Salvator) and:

Rock Thrush?

Kayaking back to the shore, I was smiling from ear to ear after having seen them. I did not return empty handed.

Everyday is biodiversity day. This day was dedicated since 2002 by United Nations  to remind the entire homosapiens on this planet the importance of our biodiversity around us. That is why we have so many of these: World Environmental Day, Earth Day, Earth Week,  World Wetlands Day, etc...

Links:
1. CITES Protection on Paphiopedilum Niveum
2. Introduction to the International Year of Biodiversity
3. Read more about Convention on Biological Diversity

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