Hollywood vs Hardwood: Meet a Real Woodpecker in the Labi Rainforest

The Woody Woodpecker is a popular cartoon character that was created long before my kids were born and its success evidently stuck around longer than I cared to follow. I hadn’t realized the Woody Woodpecker character included family members, niece and nephew, Splinter and Knothead respectively, including girlfriend, Winnie Woodpecker. In this day and age of TV entertainment, it’s very easy to lose track between abstract and reality, the bird cartoon and the real bird. I could always rely on Google for pictures of anything when I needed but nothing beats learning in the wild. When I reached one of the shelters at the Luagan Lalak clearing it was so quiet I could hear noises made by insects and birds. The pecking noise made by this woodpecker in the distance (closer to the road) echoed in all direction. The noise continued and got louder as I walked towards my car the whole time I wasn’t entirely sure what the source of the knocking noise was until I finally caught sight of the tiny bird perched up high on a tree (I spotted it with my EF 100-400mm lens).

Click on photo to visit A Day at Resorts World Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore

Woody Woodpecker's girlfriend Winnie seen here posing with guests at Universal Studios Singapore.

According to a Facebook comment: Steve Martin “Looks fairly similar to the woodpeckers that live in my backyard, although the ones in my neighborhood do indeed have red feathered heads!”

Woodpecker photographed pecking on a tree next to the concrete steps at Luagan Lalak Forestry Park in Labi, Brunei Darussalam. Clearly this woodpecker doesn't have a red crown or yellow beak or pink dress.

RAY OF LIGHT MOMENT AT WASAI KADIR IN LABI, BRUNEI

Good morning #Brunei. All set for road trip to the Labi Waterfall. Hoping for good weather, interesting journey, safe and fruitful outcome.

—
JAN SHIM (@janshim) August 22, 2011

This was not just another trip into the Belait forest but my maiden journey to Wasai Kadir, a hotspot for picnic, jungle trekking and most popular of all the waterfall. (“Wasai” is Malay for waterfall). Driving to the end of the Labi road, we covered a total of 51 Km from the Sungai Liang entrance and along the way came across another signboard that points to two other waterfall spots: Wasai Teraja and Wasai Beluluk.

General reference to “Labi waterfalls” usually means Wasai Kadir — a destination that has remained shrouded in mystery, allure and tragedy since my childhood and school days. Exactly why a place that used to be also called Wasai Wong Kadir is now officially shortened to just Wasai Kadir is a mystery on its own. Read also Anthony’s take on our impulse trip into our backyard and The Spirit Maiden of Wasai Kadir.

Ray of Light moment at Sungai Liang Recreational Forest Park

Originally photographed with a Canon Powershot G11

Light rays not only limited to the wide open green surrounding but also reflected on a drop of water captured moments before it slithered off a plant. This shot was captured using the 5D Mark II with EF 100mm Hybrid IS f2.8 L.

Not exactly a Kodak moment but a right moment nonetheless. Photo by Anthony Er just as I am framing and waiting for the water droplet shot braced in position by the Quicktrail Crocs footwear.

Mobile cellular coverage in the inner parts of Labi is erratic at best or non-existent most of the time. For this reason, I was unable to get a GPS location on either my Nokia E71 or the iPad both of which require an active cell signal for the inbuilt Assisted GPS to function. I really should invest in a dedicated GPS if jungle trekking is going to be more than an impulse outing.

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2 Thumbs Up !! RT @janshim: INSIDE THE FERN-TASY FOREST OF LABI HILLS FOREST RESERVE wp.me/p2aT2-39U—
Anthony_Er (@anthony_er) August 24, 2011

A BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY IN OUR GREEN HEART

Waiting for @Anthony_Er to head up to Kate's @ LLRC for breakfast by the beach. @ OGDC SERIA gowal.la/c/4M8AX—
JAN SHIM (@janshim) August 19, 2011

Anthony and I agreed to meet for breakfast and this time, I chose where I thought breakfast by the beach would be a good start to a quiet Friday morning but that was not to be (restaurant is closed during Ramadan hours). Not letting this little setback ruin the morning, we instinctively headed further up to the “Hilton”, a popular non-Halal eatery in Sungai Liang frequented by locals and expatriates alike (never quite figured out how it earned its nickname though).  The last time both of us had coffee here was when we ventured into the Labi forest for pictures of “Somboi-Somboi” pitcher plants.

I'm at Palmetum Garden in Labi gowal.la/c/4Masd—
JAN SHIM (@janshim) August 19, 2011

Where is this Palmetum Garden, I hear you ask? For those of you in the Belait district who regularly trek in the forest of the Sungai Liang Recreational Forest Park would instantly recognise this area that has been developing quietly. Curious, we stopped by to see what it’s about little did we realize we were able to step into a butterfly sanctuary that’s also a nursery.

Easily mistaken for a regular green house, this turned out to be quite a find. A butterfly sanctuary where several species of the colourful creatures can be found right here in Sungai Liang.

Not exactly a reflexology foot path but nonetheless this sanctuary features pretty nice landscaping to give you that zen feeling. The only thing missing here is autumn weather.

No shortage of colourful butterflies to appreciate and photograph to your heart's content.

This nursery has a variety of host plants to attract a variety of butterfly species.

A lone black and white butterfly with its large wings spead open while it feeds on the nectar.

A worker from a nursery takes out the pupae from a container to prepare them for the third stage of Metamorphosis before turning into butterflies.

A peek inside the container reveals layers of pupae in a variety of shapes, colours and textures. From an egg comes the caterpillar which forms a protection shield called pupa when it has finished growing. Most of the transformation takes place in side Pupa.

Among the more eye-catching pupae are these gold coloured selection. Now, isn't an outing like this better than a classroom lesson? To think we could have missed such an opportunity!

This selection of pupae resemble tree leaves very likely for camourflage purposes to avoid being easily seen by predators. Placed against a backdrop of white disposable foam plate, perfect contrast for photo op.

Worker secures each pupa in a humidified cabinet to allow the natural process of metamorphosis to occur.

All photographs captured using the Canon PowerShot G11.

The best thing I did today is remembering to bring my Canon Powershot G11 with me. Would have kicked myself silly had I left it at home.—
JAN SHIM (@janshim) August 19, 2011