14-5-2023 PULAU UBIN, SINGAPORE - DARK GLASSY TIGER BUTTERFLY (Parantica agleoides)

Parantica agleoides, the dark glassy tiger, is a butterfly found in India that belongs to the crows and tigers, that is, the danaid group of the brush-footed butterflies family.

North-eastern India, Burma and Indomalaya until Java.

14-5-2023 PULAU UBIN, SINGAPORE - PLAIN TIGER BUTTERFLY (Danaus chrysippus)

Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger, African queen, or African monarch, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed. Milkweed contains toxic compounds, cardenolides, which are often consumed and stored by many butterflies. Because of their emetic properties, the plain tiger is unpalatable to most predators. As a result, its coloration is widely mimicked by other species of butterflies. The plain tiger inhabits a wide variety of habitats, although it is less likely to thrive in jungle-like conditions and is most often found in drier, wide-open areas.

14-5-2023 PULAU UBIN, SINGAPORE - ORCHID (Genus Dendrobium)

Dendrobium is a genus of mostly epiphytic and lithophytic orchids in the family Orchidaceae. It is a very large genus, containing more than 1,800 species that are found in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and southeast Asia, including China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Guinea, Vietnam and many of the islands of the Pacific. Orchids in this genus have roots that creep over the surface of trees or rocks, rarely having their roots in soil. Up to six leaves develop in a tuft at the tip of a shoot and from one to a large number of flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem. Several attempts have been made to separate Dendrobium into smaller genera, but most have not been accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

14-5-2023 PULAU UBIN, SINGAPORE - ASIAN GLOSSY STARLING (Aplonis panayensis)

The Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis) is a species of starling in the family Sturnidae. It is found in Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan (introduced) and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest. There is also a huge number of this species inhabiting towns and cities, where they take refuge in abandoned buildings and trees. They often move in large groups and are considered one of the noisiest species of birds. In the Philippines, it is known as kulansiyang, galansiyang, or kuling-dagat

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - YELLOW VENTED BULBUL (Pycnonotus goiavier)

The yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), or eastern yellow-vented bulbul, is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is a resident breeder in southeastern Asia from Indochina to the Philippines. It is found in a wide variety of open habitats but not the deep forest. It is one of the most common birds in cultivated areas. They appear to be nomadic and roam from place to place regularly.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - YELLOW LINED FOREST SKINK (Sphenomorphus sanctus)

The Java forest skink (Sphenomorphus sanctus) is a species of skink found in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Java forest skink (Sphenomorphus sanctus) is a species of skink found in Indonesia and Malaysia.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - RED PERCHER DRAGONFLY (Neurothemis ramburii)

Neurothemis ramburii is a bright red dragonfly found throughout SE Asia.

A deep red dragonfly with clear wingtips. Typically there is only one cross vein in the cubital space of the hind wing (behind the median space) and females are as deeply colored as males.

Wing span = 56mm

Body length = 36mm

Abdomen = 24mm

Hind wing = 26mm

 

9-6-2023 MANDAI BIRD PARADISE, SINGAPORE - FIRE TUFTED BARBET (Psilopogon pyrolophus)

The fire-tufted barbet (Psilopogon pyrolophus) is a species of bird in the Asian barbet family Megalaimidae. It is native to Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, where it inhabits tropical moist lowland and montane forests. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2004. Its scientific name was proposed by Salomon Müller in 1836, who described a barbet from Sumatra.

The fire-tufted barbet inhabits broad-leaved evergreen montane forests between 1,070 and 2,010 m (3,510 and 6,590 ft) on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

The fire-tufted barbet is a resident bird and feeds on figs, other fruits, arthropods and insects. Its call is very similar to that of cicadas.

The primary threat to this species appears to be illegal capture and trade as a pet.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - MEXICAN MARIGOLD (Tagetes erecta)

Tagetes erecta, the Aztec marigold, Mexican marigold, big marigold, cempazúchitl or cempasúchil, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Tagetes native to Mexico. Despite being native to the Americas, it is often called the African marigold. In Mexico, this plant is found in the wild in the states of México, Michoacán, Puebla, and Veracruz.

This plant reaches heights of between 20 and 90 cm (7.9 and 35.4 in). The Aztecs gathered the wild plant as well as cultivating it for medicinal, ceremonial and decorative purposes. It is widely cultivated commercially with many cultivars in use as ornamental plants, and for the cut-flower trade.

 

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - LONG TAILED MACAQUE (Macaca fascicularis)

The crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis), also known as the long-tailed macaque and referred to as the cynomolgus monkey in laboratories, is a cercopithecine primate native to Southeast Asia. A species of macaque, the crab-eating macaque has a long history alongside humans. The species has been alternately seen as an agricultural pest, a sacred animal, and, more recently, the subject of medical experiments.

The crab-eating macaque lives in matrilineal social groups of up to eight individuals dominated by females. Male members leave the group when they reach puberty. It is an opportunistic omnivore and has been documented using tools to obtain food in Thailand and Myanmar. The crab-eating macaque is a known invasive species and a threat to biodiversity in several locations, including Hong Kong and western New Guinea. The significant overlap in macaque and human living space has resulted in greater habitat loss, synanthropic living, and inter- and intraspecies conflicts over resources.

 

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - AMARYLLIS (Hippeastrum hybridum)

 Hippeastrum hybridum is a species of plants with 1384 observations.

Amaryllis (Scientific name: Hippeastrum hybridum) is native to Latin America and is a semi-cold resistant bulbous plant (perennial plant) of the family Amaryllidaceae.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - HIMALAYAN JESTER BUTTERFLY (Symbrenthia hypselis)

Symbrenthia hypselis, the Himalayan jester, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South Asia, and some islands in South East Asia (Sumatra, Java)

 

18-5-2023 SEPILOK, BORNEO - BLUE HEADED PITTA (Hydrornis baudii)

The blue-headed pitta (Hydrornis baudii) is a species of bird in the pitta family Pittidae. It is endemic to Borneo.

The species is endemic to the island of Borneo, where it occurs in Brunei, Kalimantan (Indonesia), Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia). Its natural habitat is tropical lowland evergreen forests. While it does occur in disturbed of secondary forests, it is most common in primary forest. It usually occurs below 600 m (2,000 ft), it has been recorded up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft), but this record has not been verified. 

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - GOLDEN SHRIMP PLANT (Pachystachys lutea)

Pachystachys lutea, known as the golden shrimp plant or lollipop plant, is a tropical, soft-stemmed evergreen shrub between 0.5 and 2.5 meters tall, native to Peru. The zygomorphic, long-throated, short-lived white flowers emerge sequentially from overlapping bright yellow bracts on racemes that are produced throughout the warm months.

The Latin specific epithet lutea means “yellow”.

It is cultivated as an ornamental, but in cold temperate regions it requires protection from temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F).[4] It has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

 

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - DULL OAK BLUE (Arhopala centaurus)

Arhopala centaurus, the centaur oakblue or dull oakblue, is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly found in India and southeast Asia to the Philippines.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - CRIMSON TAILED MARSH HAWK DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum pruinosum)

Orthetrum pruinosum, the crimson-tailed marsh hawk, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is a widespread species occurring from west India to Japan and south to Java and the Sunda Islands. A molecular phylogenetics study of Orthetrum dragonflies revealed that Orthetrum pruinosum is a cryptic species.

It breeds in ponds, lakes and sluggish streams.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - COMMON SUN SKINK (Eutropis multifasciata)

 Eutropis multifasciata, commonly known as the East Indian brown mabuya, many-lined sun skink, many-striped skink, common sun skink or (ambiguously) as golden skink, is a species of skink.

You can often find the Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata) basking in the sun on the forest edge or along footpaths, or slithering among leaf litter in Singapore’s wooded areas, mangroves and parks. Measuring about 130mm from snout to vent, this shy little reptile moves very quickly.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - BLUE MARSH HAWK DRAGONFLY (Orthetrum glaucum)

Orthetrum glaucum is an Asian dragonfly species, common across much of tropical and subtropical Asia. The common name for this species is blue marsh hawk.

It is a medium sized dragonfly with dark face and greenish blue eyes. The thorax of old males are dark blue due to pruinescence. Its wings are transparent with dark amber-yellow tint in the extreme base. Its abdomen is pruinosed with blue color up to segment 8; last two segments are black. It breeds in marshes associated with forest streams, plantations and canals.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - BLACK STRIPED ORCHARD SPIDER (Leucauge celebesiana)

Leucauge celebesiana, commonly called the black-striped orchard spider, is a species of spider belonging to the family Tetragnathidae. It is found from India to China, Japan, Sulawesi and New Guinea.

Like many of its congeners, this is a colourful and distinctive spider. It has a body length (excluding legs) of 13 mm (0.51 in). The abdomen is white with yellow-green sides with black stripes separating the white from the coloured flanks. Another black stripe runs right down the middle. This species constructs a web inclined at 45° and several individuals often build these webs close together.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - BILLY GOAT WEED (Ageratum conyzoides)

Ageratum conyzoides (billygoat-weed, chick weed, goatweed, whiteweed, mentrasto) is native to Tropical America, especially Brazil, and is an invasive weed in many other regions. It is an herb that is 0.5–1 m. high, with ovate leaves 2–6 cm long, and flowers are white to mauve.

In Vietnamese, the plant is called cứt lợn (meaning "pig feces") due to its growth in dirty areas.

As a medicinal plant, Ageratum conyzoides is widely used by many traditional cultures, against dysentery and diarrhea. It is also an insecticide and nematicide.

Ingesting A. conyzoides can cause liver lesions and tumors. There was a mass poisoning incident in Ethiopia as a result of contamination of grain with A. conyzoides. The plant contains the pyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine and echinatine.

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - BENGAL TRUMPET (Thunbergia grandiflora)

Thunbergia grandiflora is an evergreen vine in the family Acanthaceae. It is native to China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indochina and Myanmar and widely naturalised elsewhere. Common names include Bengal clockvine, Bengal trumpet, blue skyflower, blue thunbergia, blue trumpetvine, clockvine, skyflower and skyvine.

Plants may grow to about 20 metres in height and have a long root system with a deep tap root. The stalked, opposite leaves, which have a rough surface, are quite variable in shape. They may be triangular or ovate and the margins may be toothed, lobed or entire. Length is up to 200 mm and width is up to 60 mm, which are typically smaller than the very similar T. laurifolia.

The blue to mauve flowers are about 8 cm across with a 4 cm long tube that is pale yellow inside. These are followed by pods containing seeds that are ejected several metres upon ripening. Plants also reproduce from segments that are washed down watercourses.

 

1-6-2023 GITGIT WATERFALLS, BALI - BEE FLY (Ligyra tantalus)

 Ligyra tantalus is a species of insect in the Bombyliidae family, commonly known as bee flies. It has an orange and brown thorax and a black abdomen with a white ring and four spots on it, although the rearmost two spots can be joined together in some specimens. The wings are purplish-black and swept back from the body when at rest.

Distribution

It is found in Asia in areas such as China (mainland) and Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines (Palawan), Taiwan, and Thailand and also in Australia.

15-6-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - WAVE MOTH (Scopula asellaria)

Scopula asellaria is a moth of the family Geometridae. It was described by Gottlieb August Wilhelm Herrich-Schäffer in 1847. It is found in southern Europe and North Africa.

The larvae feed on the flowers of Silene species.

15-6-2023 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SPINY TOAD (JUVENILE) (Bufo spinosus)

 

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - AMERICAN FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus ruber)

Like other flamingo species, the Caribbean Flamingo has a bill with a rigid upper jaw and immobile lower jaw. The lamellae that line the inside of its bill and tongue (which acts as a suction and blowing pump), allow them to filter brackish water to ingest food.

They have especially long necks and legs, even longer than other species of the flamingo family. It is the largest flamingo on the continent, and the second largest in the world, surpassed only by the common flamingo. Its color can vary from pale pink to crimson or vermilion, depending on the area where it lives and the amount of crustaceans with high carotenoid content it consumes.

What are its habits?

This species of flamingo resides in large colonies. Each pair marks a small territory surrounding the nest during the nesting season. The pair's clutch consists of a single egg, from which a chick will hatch and be fed by its parents until it is three months old.

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - INDIAN RHINOCEROS (Rhinoceros unicornis)

The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), or Indian rhino for short, also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros or great Indian rhinoceros, is a rhinoceros species native to the Indian subcontinent. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, as populations are fragmented and restricted to less than 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi). Moreover, the extent and quality of the rhino's most important habitat, the alluvial Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands and riverine forest, is considered to be in decline due to human and livestock encroachment. As of August 2018, the global population was estimated to comprise 3,588 individuals, including 2,939 individuals in India and 649 in Nepal. Kaziranga National Park alone had an estimated population of 2,048 rhinos in 2009. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam has the highest density of Indian rhinos in the world with 84 individuals in an area of 38.80 km2 (14.98 sq mi) in 2009.

Indian rhinos once ranged throughout the entire stretch of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, but excessive hunting and agricultural development reduced its range drastically to 11 sites in northern India and southern Nepal. In the early 1990s, between 1,870 and 1,895 Indian rhinos were estimated to have been alive. Since then, numbers have increased due to conservation measures taken by the government. However, poaching remains a continuous threat, as more than 150 Indian rhinos were killed in Assam by poachers between 2000 and 2006.

Nearly 85% of the global Indian rhinoceros population is concentrated in Assam, where Kaziranga National Park contains 70% of rhino population.

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - NORTHERN LION (FEMALE) (Panthera leo ssp. leo)

Panthera leo leo is a lion subspecies, which is present in West Africa, northern Central Africa and India. In West and Central Africa it is restricted to fragmented and isolated populations with a declining trajectory. It has been referred to as the Northern lion.

Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that lion populations in West and Central African range countries are genetically close to populations in India, forming a major clade distinct from lion populations in Southern and East Africa. 

P. l. leo is regionally extinct in North Africa, southern Europe, and West Asia. Asia's sole lion population lives in and around Gir National Park, India. The West African lion population is geographically isolated and numbers fewer than 250 mature individuals. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - PINK BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens)

The pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) is a bird of the pelican family. It is a resident breeder in the swamps and shallow lakes of Africa and southern Arabia; it has also apparently extirpated in Madagascar.

It is a relatively small pelican, although by no means is it a small bird. Its length is from 125 to 155 cm (49 to 61 in), wingspan is 2.15–2.9 m (7.1–9.5 ft) and body mass is from 4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). The bill is 30 to 38 cm (12 to 15 in) in length. The plumage is grey and white, with a pinkish hue on the back occasionally apparent (never in the deep pink of a flamingo). The top of the bill is yellow and the pouch is usually greyish. Breeding adults have long feather plumes on the head.

It shares its habitat with the great white pelican, which is generally larger and has white instead of greyish plumage.

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - AFRICAN PENGUIN (Spheniscus demersus)

The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters. Like all extant penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Adults weigh an average of 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb) and are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall. The species has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask. The body's upper parts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts, which are spotted and marked with a black band.

The African penguin is a pursuit diver and feeds primarily on fish and squid. Once extremely numerous, the African penguin is declining rapidly due to a combination of several threats and is classified as endangered. It is a charismatic species and is popular with tourists. Other vernacular names of the species include black-footed penguin and jackass penguin, due to the species' loud, donkey-like noise, although several related species of South Jackass penguins produce the same sound. They can be found along the coast of South Africa and Namibia.

 

13-6-2023 MADRID ZOO, ESPANA - BROWN CAPUCHIN MONKEY (JUVENILE) (Sapajus apella)

The tufted capuchin lives in groups of two to twenty or more animals. A single group usually contains at least one adult male, but mixed groups with multiple males do also occur. In that case, one of the males is dominant. He accepts only a few monkeys in his direct surroundings, mainly younger animals and a few females. The dominant male and the group members that are close to him have the privilege to eat first in case of food scarcity, while subordinate monkeys have to wait until they are ready.

After a gestation period of 180 days, one young is born, or incidentally a twin. This young, which weighs only 200 to 250 grams, is carried on the back of its mother. The mother feeds her child for 9 months, but the young are sexually immature until its seventh year, which is quite late for a primate of its size.