Unwritten rule of hiking (in a group)

First one up...



must lend a helping hand.

 

By the way, if you haven't done so, please head on over to
http://www.change.org/petitions/protecting-mt-santubong-from-a-cable-car
read the petition and sign if you're against the idea of building a cable car system at Santubong! Protect Mount Santubong, say no to cable car!

Giant rock pumpkin

Work of nature: this sandstone boulder on the beach at Tanjung Saleh, Santubong shows the amazing weathering effects of the elements. Look at the interesting streaks of different colours. Reminds me of a giant pumpkin. :)

Dung beetles rolling a ball of sh*t

 

Look what I came across while making my way up Mount Santubong last week! A pair of dung beetles comically rolling a little ball of animal poo down a trail covered with leaf litter and other obstacles.

They worked quickly, one behind and one in front and whenever they encountered a small "ledge" or step such as in the above photo (the tree root forms a step and the next lower level is about 10cm below), they'd both tumble down, get disoriented for a bit (refer photo below) but then quickly find their ball of dung and get back to business.

Quite amusing to watch them. I took a short video but my line's too slow to upload that (another reason why I seldom update this blog, sucks)!

I don't think I've ever seen dung beetles in real life and this up close before. Only ever seen them in nature programs on TV. These beetles weren't very big, I'd say each about 1.5 cm long (excluding length of legs).

Lone mangrove tree of Tanjung Saleh, Santubong

This to me, is the landmark tree of Tanjung Saleh, Santubong.
All my hiking buddies who've hiked in the Santubong area know the Tree.
"Where you at?"
"At The Tree lah!"
It's an age-old mangrove tree found at the tip of the small rocky cape. The rocky coast is continuously battered by the sea and the rocks and boulders are constantly being shifted around by strong waves and currents so it's quite a wonder this lone tree's been here for so long.

the lady of the forest

Came across this tree while hiking in the Santubong area yesterday. The Lady of the Jungle. It's a tree with two-level buttress roots - first level "hugging" the giant boulder (forming the arms of the lady), the second level at the base of the boulder (resembling the lady's evening gown).