Rendezvous with Nature

Finally!

That's right... finally made it out there on the trails. 

There was an orchestra of singing cicadas, yelping, honking hornbills and chirping birds... and the gurgling stream played the percussions in the symphony.  How not to love nature?

Despite the hot spell and a lot of deciduous trees being shed of leaves, it was as beautiful as it can be out there on the forest trail.  And the whole place was certainly alive and buzzing with dragonflies, butterflies, skinks, lizards, bees, tiger beetles, robber flies and plenty of other creatures.

As for the dragonflies, only the common species could be seen.  Even then, it was fun just to watch the antics of these insects as they stake their claim on a territory to find a mate.  While waiting, these dragonflies would engage in aerial displays as they chase away other males who trespass into their territories.



As for this Ictinogomphus decoratus and Neurothemis fulvia sharing a perch, I have observed the N. fulvia fiercely guarding its spot and would chase away other dragonflies of various species who attempt to take over its perch including the I. decoratus.  Not just on this day, but on many previous occasions.  Yet, it is only this larger dragonfly who would succeed in sharing a spot in such close proximity to this smaller dragonfly.

The park itself gives rise to a different story though. 

Due to the current dry season and with the smaller volume of flowing water, a lot of algae can be seen in areas of stagnant water, turning the stream green.  These big, scummy algal blooms are mainly in sections where embankments have been built, which is supposed to enhance the aesthetic feel and beauty of the park, and interrupting the water flow to create ponds for cool dips on hot days.
















What a waste of time, manpower, money and resources. 

How is it better when the stream is dammed and damned?  The natural beauty of a slow trickling stream is a much more beautiful sight than these green stagnant pools. 

What is done is done.  The trouble is that all the major waterfalls and rivers in Langkawi have been dammed for one reason or another.  It certainly makes you wonder if any environmental studies and assessments were carried out at all?  More so when it is for recreational purposes at these parks.  Were any considerations made as to its impact on the river ecology and biology?  Not that I have studied this, though it is, after all, a lot of common sense.  And yet...

This is not the first time I have expressed concerns about the excessive algal bloom.  As it happens, each year when the dry season comes around, I will rant when I see the sorry state of things in these parks. 

And I am not alone.  The same sentiments have been expressed by wchinner: http://wchinner.blogspot.com/2010/04/temurun-waterfall-now-is-dammed.html

And now, I need to get myself lost in the forest trails again to calm my mind and heal my soul...