I spotted this Yellow Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) rustling admist the branches of the Hibiscus shrub with something in its beak. I quickly zoomed in and snapped a couple of shots. It was only when I zoomed in the camera for a preview that I realized that it was a young gecko or house lizard.
Hibiscus rosa sinensis 'Madeline Champion'
A young pale gecko was triumphantly displayed as its prized catch of the day.
It then flew with its bounty towards a Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium Nidus) that was attached to a Lipstick Palm (Cyrtostachys renda). The other epiphytic plant is an lavender-white dendrobium orchid.
I can't see exactly what was happening up on the the palm tree but I can imagine as much. The hungry Bulbul fledlgings must have torn the poor gecko limb to limb for a hearty breakfast.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A9uoC58BLFcWlJm6xSwbQyNeazkvRqacZiDLHjQWs9rpaQxMkURAqeCiY6nTtcBIwotVf0udTzOZt767BvciiRABHKkJ3RTgWdUK4bB7luJ20CgXnRhAQ8UYQVS1aHuHl-y1TQp0N1iG/s640/DSC_1717s.jpg)
Red Bougainvillea with The Lipstick Palm as a backdrop.
It later flew off to perch on a nearby Bougainvillea branch to quietly survey for more prey before ...
landing on another Bougainvillea branch with variegated leaves. There is something in its beak too.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLI7r8eTMJEx-rXD_77BHz4uwsY4iZavRQEqFqs_OxBOpZ0BB1r6vGInDuXMM_F_0wBGFxiNSV3j_r6GfH96qUh6JaRDbfyOO0p0X9HY36zV3dJGwU1tNDHHpalFTqmhWKfGurIX9SSgS/s640/DSC_1574s.jpg)
These are the double-petalled Quisqualis indica (Rangoon creeper) flowers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLI7r8eTMJEx-rXD_77BHz4uwsY4iZavRQEqFqs_OxBOpZ0BB1r6vGInDuXMM_F_0wBGFxiNSV3j_r6GfH96qUh6JaRDbfyOO0p0X9HY36zV3dJGwU1tNDHHpalFTqmhWKfGurIX9SSgS/s640/DSC_1574s.jpg)
These are the double-petalled Quisqualis indica (Rangoon creeper) flowers.
Another Bulbul was spotted on the perimeter wall of the garden eyeing ...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINB2_1sP-0995LvUEJK2-S_grY7fzAG2IotE3ObSL57rmD6WDUMIaO-44MvP1PZmmwvjajz2c8Y5H-FprRhswUmnxKJB24odVD7QOrANzBfRUnGPq_fXyklg_E62y5WKOgf0qZWm2XFzW/s640/DSC_1447s.jpg)
the blue conifer, Juniperus chinensis with the magenta bougainvillea in front of it
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnphXAwtD4bxuxhfBIcOBS3IuDuIj_xr-swQdjZ8CBOFPpxECS0tNfLPdqcdtUFxPKmfEiixs-Y5OfIiifmxQe4kJJSOIc_bfCmoHdyGBMXiDGKf7mZCi-iridIxNQABW4o3zJrjye96QW/s640/DSC_2115s.jpg)
In the evenng, I saw a Bulbul perched on a metal stake overlooking a neighbour's house.
Ane yet another one on a palm tree that is bathed in the warm glow of the
evening sun.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINB2_1sP-0995LvUEJK2-S_grY7fzAG2IotE3ObSL57rmD6WDUMIaO-44MvP1PZmmwvjajz2c8Y5H-FprRhswUmnxKJB24odVD7QOrANzBfRUnGPq_fXyklg_E62y5WKOgf0qZWm2XFzW/s640/DSC_1447s.jpg)
the blue conifer, Juniperus chinensis with the magenta bougainvillea in front of it
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnphXAwtD4bxuxhfBIcOBS3IuDuIj_xr-swQdjZ8CBOFPpxECS0tNfLPdqcdtUFxPKmfEiixs-Y5OfIiifmxQe4kJJSOIc_bfCmoHdyGBMXiDGKf7mZCi-iridIxNQABW4o3zJrjye96QW/s640/DSC_2115s.jpg)
In the evenng, I saw a Bulbul perched on a metal stake overlooking a neighbour's house.
Ane yet another one on a palm tree that is bathed in the warm glow of the
evening sun.
I have opened a few sites and i can't comment because the lower part below saying "comment as" doesn't open. I am glad i can open yours.
ReplyDeleteI always envy your camera as it can spy on the birds well, love your style of paparazziying, hehe!
When I first saw the Bulbul, I was not too excited as I have taken many shots of them before. So shooting the bird was actually a serendipitous event.
DeleteWell, don't envy my camera, get one then, and get even too! ;D
Lovely photos, both of birds and flowers :-) I love all these tropical plants, so different from what I have, although some of them I can grow too, if I had a bigger garden. We can grow one type of hibiscus over here, Hibiscus syriacus, but it gets very big and tall, not really something for a postage stamp garden like mine.
ReplyDeleteWhile travelling to Washington and New York area I've seen Hibiscus grown in tubs and they are very lovely as they were mostly planted as 'Standards'. This can definitely fit into small gardens.
DeleteYes, I had one like that, it was actually called 'Helene' and was given to me as a present. Named from ‘Helen of Troy’. I had it for several years in a container but then we had a really hot summer and it got so stressed by drying out every day and getting watered every evening so it died. Very sad. I haven't tried again. We have very different summers here, some are rainy summers like last year and some are dry, hot for weeks and weeks on end like this year, hard to get plants that thrives in containers when they get mature, they survive better in the ground - where they often grow bigger :-)
DeleteHow sweet and thoughtful of your friend to give you such a meaningful present. I'm sorry for its demise.
DeleteGreat shots, Elsie!
ReplyDeleteI love watching the birds' life too. Bulbul don't live here, of course, they are colorful birds.The nice composition is Juniperus with bougainvillea!
Both the Juniperous and Bougainvillea are about two decades old. At the time when the photo was taken it has just finished its full bloom.
DeleteBeautiful as always Elsie! I love your posts because everything looks so lush and exotic where you live.
ReplyDeleteThanks. There is a lot of sunshine and rain here, with no winter but summer throughout the year. Having said that, I think having the 4 seasons could be fun too.
DeleteIt's so interesting to see a giant juniper in a tropical garden like yours. Those bubuls must be great at controlling the local bug population. I really love the Rangoon creeper. So pretty. :o)
ReplyDeleteLooks like plants are getting globalised too. With advancement in agriculture, the world is getting flatter even with plants. The Chinese Juniper can grow even taller but I controlled it by chopping off its top when it reached a certain height. I love the Rangoon creeper too for its lovely fragrance.
DeleteWell, this is truly a garden for every one and creature! Oh how I wish that bird comes to my house to help me to get rid of those lizard-like creatures!!
ReplyDeleteHowever much you dislike lizards and geckos, they do serve a useful function; in eliminating those pesky mosquitoes. I rather the bird catch worms than these 4-legged mini reptiles.
DeleteI agree! :-)
DeleteHello Stileto
ReplyDeleteGetting back in the swing of things has taken time, especially since loading has been so slow on my computer, all very frustrating!! Today the internet has been behaving well, so here I am:)
It was a revelation to me that birds ate small lizards. I knew that rapters do, but not the smaller species. Well spotted Bubul moments, and lovely colourful garden scenes!
Take care.:)
I was surprised too thata such a small bird could offer lizards to their young to savour. Actually they are slightly bigger than the diminutive sunbirds.
DeleteIT can be frustrating and annoying at times.
Hello Stiletto!
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to be back on your blog and discover what you've seen!
This Bulbul with a gecko in its beak is incredible!
That is a bird we had in our african garden.
And such colorful images of flowers!
You really live in a paradise!
Cheers, keep well!
Thanks Noushka, but I've seen some of your very incredible photos. The one of the owl flying with the terrified mouse in its claws was most amazing. My paradise actually has become a wilderness, since I dont live there anymore but only visit infrequently.
DeleteI'm totally amazed at the magic you manage to capture all the time.
ReplyDeleteTalking about camera's - mine had caput few months ago.
Can you tell me what camera are you using?
I'm planning to get something that is user friendly and able to capture the garden events like yours.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
If you are interested in a biat of serious photography, this is the time to acquire a DSLR camera. I'm using a rather modest DSLR; Nikon D90. The price has dropped tremendously since I bought it about 5 years ago. It comes with the kit lens and I've since added a micro and a telephoto lens.
DeleteI don't know what you mean by user-friendly. I use the DSLR with very fundamental knowledge; by playing with the shutter speed, f-stop, and ISO. I only use manual and avoid auto mode or other program modes since I want more control over the outcome.
Wish you the best in shutter-bugging.