Spotted Doves on Tree

Malay spotted doves (Spilopelia chinensis) are easy to recognise from the patch of white on black spots on their nape.  Their colours are shades of browns with dashes of black on the wings and tails. 

Their presence is often indicated by a pleasant crooning.


They are often found striding along the tree branches of this casuarina that I had planted from a young sapling about two decades ago.
 
A branch of the casuarina tree laden with cones.


A branch with the colourful bougainvillea in the background.


The casuarina after the rain.


The upper reaches of the casuarina.



With the sun low down on the horizon, these doves can still be heard cooing above.

On another tree nearby, another spotted dove was seen chilling out.

It passed its time by preening and snoozing. 



These doves are normally found alone and often in pairs feeding on the ground.

Olive-backed Sunbird on Lantana Camara

Olive-backed Sunbirds are frequently seen on my Lantana camara shrubs. They are ingenious in the way they collect nectar from the flowers. Being small-bodied, light and possessing a long, narrow, curved beak helps.

This sunbird alights on a slender stalk ...


and insert its curved beak into a tiny flower.


It then flips up to approach a flower facing upwards.


See how its fine beak can be inserted into the teeny weeny florets.



These globular heads are left behind when all the flowers drop.


 

Lantana flowers non-stop and add dashes of colour to the garden where ever the seeds disperse and take root.



This variety has touches of pink.

In this variety of orange-yellow florets, the buds first appear pink.

Red Hornet on Lantana Camara

The colourful flowers of Lantana camara are always top favourites with insects.


The flowers after the evening shower 


and under bright sunshine.


This hornet visited each and every floral inflorescence in the bush whether ample or ...

with scant flowers.

It was very meticulous in its collection of nectar. Each and every flower was picked through.



Even these denuded heads were not spared the inspection.

Leaves were also checked through.

Tibouchina granulosa - Senduduk

The name refers to the grainy, granular texture of the leaves. This shrub can be found growing wild but thrives well under cultivation. It blooms frequently.

 Each blossom is five-petaled and about 2" wide. 

 The petals are delicate and is a deep rose-violet to deep purple 

 in color.  

The flowers are borne in erect terminal panicles.

The stamens are gnarled and are a favourite of pollen-collecting bees

  Flowering panicles at branch tips can completely cover the tree with rich, velvet-like blossoms.


The dark green leaves are elliptic in shape and pubescent.

 

New growth is covered in a reddish bronze felt. 

Aphids having a field day on the flower buds.

 

Grasshoppers have a field day too.

Tibouchina granulosa and a silver tribal neck accessory.