GREY HERON (Ardea cinerea).

The grey heron is a wading bird of the family Arderdae. A resident of the temperate countries, they will migrate south during the winter months. When in flight they are very graceful and slow and  are quite noisy with the flapping of the wings.
They can be seen wading in shallow water or perched on top of branches, motionless, waiting for their preys. Small mammals, fish, small reptiles, insect and small birds make up their food chain.
Courtship is a ritual where the male archs it neck, stretching it skyward before lowering to the back. It sometimes snaps its bill and emits a distinctive call.
Nests are built in colonies on top of trees close to lakes, seashores or wetlands. Usually four blueish eggs are laid.
Subspecies of grey heron:
Ardea cenerea cenerea (Europe, Africa, W. Asia).
Ardea cenerea jouyi (Eastern Asia).
Ardea cenerea firasa (Madagascar).
Ardea cenerea moricae (Islands of Baca' Argum, Mauritania).




Perched on top of a branch
waiting for fish or other
 creatures to surface.

Taking off is just as beautiful.

They are graceful in flight.

Sometimes they can be quite playful.

This grey heron just caught a tilapia.

A CLIMB TO WATCH THE RAFFLESIA CANTLYI.

RAFFLESIA.
It is a parasitic flowering plant found in some countries of S.E. Asia. They grow in the jungles of Peninsula Malaysia, the Borneo Island, Sumatra and the Phillipines.
Named after Sir Thomas Stamfford Raffles, it has many species. The largest is the R. arnoldi, while the smallest is the R. baletei. The one found near Gopeng is the R. cantlyi.
It is an endoparasite of the vine in the genus Tetra stigma. This plant has no stems, leaves or true roots. Called the 'corspe flower' it gives off a foul smell that attracts insects and small mammals to help in the pollination.
Recently I went on a climb up some hills near Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia to watch the rafflesia in bloom. With my bagful of cameras, lenses and a metal Gitzo tripod, I nearly did not complete the climb in the driving rain. Even with the help of ropes, the almost verticle climb was rather taxing on me. Luckily some of the young staffs from tour outfit helped me.

Another view of the same flower.

The rafflesia cantlyi.

A photograph of
our group. Kurt is not in as he
 has to press the shutter button for me.

This is one of our Asli
guides. I nearly gave
up when she told me
there are 2 more
 hills to climb.

Kurt, a macro photography
 expert explaining to the kids
 about the leech in his hand.

Rajah brookes having a drink.

This is another dangerous
plant. But the squirrels
 that feed on the fruits
do not suffer any ill effect.

Be careful to stay clear of
these leaves. One touch and you
are in for a horrible burning
and itchy experience.

An ipoh tree from which the
Orang Asli people got their
 poison to tip their blowpipe
 darts. Notice the slash
wounds on the trunk?

A group of rajah brookes at
a salt lick. The locals must be
 educated not to kill the butterflies
 indiscriminately. Notice a few
 were dead on the ground?
Ran over by some motorbikes.

CHINESE OPERA

Chinese Opera dates back 4000 years ago. During the Han Dynasty (206BC - AD220) dances were blended with story telling to produce an elementary form of musical drama.
This was further developed during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, usually groups of family members travel together to put on shows. Actors were trained from very young ages. As opera actors were lowly regarded, women were banned from stage. Their roles were taken over by female impersonators.
In 1790, theater companies from all over China arrived in Beijing to perform for the Qing Emperor, Qianlong's birthday. It was here that the history of the various opera forms that we know today began.

Applying makeup for
 the appropriate character.

An actress with
full colorful costume.

A drama in progress.

Musicians at the front and
below the stage provide
the accompanying music.

The actress bending
 backward for a stunt.

These are the percussionists
 providing the tempo
and beat for the dramas.

Final touchup
before the stage.