Nov 24, 2008

Kota Kinabalu waterfront scene

A sea view from the Marina Court Apartment. Nice view, nice rental. Back to the photo, a lone yacht anchoring at Likas Bay (Kota Kinabalu waterfront). At the background is the Kampung Air (or water village) at Pulau Gaya.


Click photo for enlarge image.

If you view the large size image, you will actually see the yacht installed with solar panels. I guessed they need the power for night lighting.

Nov 19, 2008

Wasp spider of Borneo - Argiope bruennichi

Take a look at the photos below of Wasp spider. The yellow, black and white spider is also known as Argiope bruennichi. The Wasp spider is also similar to Saint Andrews Cross spider (sp. Argiope keyserlingii).

I know spider has unique set of eyes but I just couldn't get closer to really have zero macro shoot of the eyes. Spider bites, so I avoid the risk.


Striking pose


Close shot of wasp spider


From far: the green pouch above the spider is it's egg sac

Related posts:
* Common Huntsman Spider - Series #2
* Tropical spider - Series #1

About Wasp spider |

Argiope bruennichi, or the wasp spider, is a species of orb-web spider distributed throughout central Europe, Northern Europe, north Africa and parts of Asia. Like many other members of the genus Argiope, (including St Andrew's Cross spiders), it shows striking yellow and black markings on its abdomen.

The spider builds a spiral orb web at dawn or dusk, commonly in long grass a little above ground level, taking it approximately an hour. The prominent zigzag shape called the stabilimentum, or web decoration, featured at the centre of the orb is of uncertain function, though it may be to attract insects.

When a prey item is first caught in the web, Argiope bruennichi will quickly immobilise its prey by wrapping it in silk. The prey is then bitten and then injected with a paralysing venom and a protein dissolving enzyme.

The male of the species is much smaller than the female. It can often be seen in or near a female's web waiting for her to complete her final moult, at which time she reaches sexual maturity. At this time and her chelicerae (jaws) will be soft for a short time and the male may mate with the female without the danger of being eaten.

During Summer 2006, research was carried out in the UK to find that there has been an influx of these spiders to the UK. The colour is still similar, although the yellow stripes are a bit more cream coloured.

Nov 13, 2008

Tropical Giant Locust, Series #3

This is the third series on tropical locust. It's a giant black and brown locust measuring over six inches from tip of its feelers to tip of its tail.

The photo subject was captured at Kinabalu Pine Resort, Kundasang, Sabah.


Giant locust #1


Giant locust #2

Related posts:
* Tropical locust - Series #1
* Tropical Giant Locust, Series #2

Nov 12, 2008

Tropical Giant Locust, Series #2

This is the second series on tropical locust, but not just locust, it's a giant locust measuring over six inches from tip of its feelers to tip of its tail.

It's take me two attempts to photograph this locust (which happen to linger at my backyard). My first attempt to photograph failed when it flew away on my first shot.


Macro shot of a giant locust, #1 - Overall shot.


Close up shot of a giant locust, #2 - Shoulder shot.


Zero macro shot on a giant locust, #3 - Head shot.

Related posts:
* Tropical locust - Series #1

Nov 10, 2008

Tropical locust

Close up shot of a green locust with black top. The locust is green because it is in tropical Borneo. In other places, it would be brownish (desert locust). And yes, tropical locust doesn't ravage crops (swarming of crops) like in Africa or Europe because over here, we have plenty of leaves.

Locust belong to the insect family Acrididae.


Tropical locust

See also the World's best photos of Locust

Nov 8, 2008

Moth on a rambutan fruit, Series #6

Macro photos of a moth on a rambutan fruit. May not be the best shot BUT it the only best shot I have because, the rambutan fruit swayed due to a gentle breeze. And after the second shot, the moth flew away.

Enjoy looking at the rambutan tentacles (the hairs).



For more bigger and high-resolution photos, check out my gallery of Butterflies and Moths.

Related posts:
* Moths and Butterflies, Series #1
* Moths and Butterflies, Series #2
*Yellow moth with black stripes - Series #3
* Wild sex - Mating moths photo - Series #4
* Moth on a Ginger Flower - Series #5

Nov 7, 2008

Tiny Umbrella Mushrooms, Fungi, Series 10

Photos of tiny umbrella mushrooms from tropical Borneo. On the other hand, those mushrooms look like upside down cupcakes.

The first photo is an isolated pair of umbrella mushrooms which is part of a bigger clusters (see photo #3 and #4).


Twin umbrella mushrooms #1


Twin umbrella mushrooms #2


Cupcakes mushrooms #3


Cupcakes mushrooms #4

Related topics:
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 1
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 2
* Tiny mushroom - Toad stool - Fungi, Series 3
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 4
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 5 (dish)
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 6
* Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 7
* Tropical orange mushroom, Fungi, Series 8
* Orange cup mushroom, Fungi, Series 9


* More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom - Gallery#1
* More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom - Gallery#2

Oct 30, 2008

Orange cup mushroom, Fungi, Series 9

Photo of a very tiny orange cup mushroom with tiny hair at the edge of it's cup rim. If it don't look like a cup to you, then it must look like a dish. Cheers Halo Related topics: * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 1 * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 2 * Tiny mushroom - Toad stool - Fungi, Series 3 * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 4 * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 5 (dish) * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 6 * Tropical Wild Mushroom, Fungi, Series 7 * Tropical orange mushroom, Fungi, Series 8 * More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom - Gallery#1 * More pictures on Tropical Wild Mushroom - Gallery#2

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