July
2013 has now come to a close and it was a varied month with a number of
visitors coming by Penang.
Dani and
Jack were here for the best part of three weeks. They spent some time in
Southern, Thailand, which entailed an arduous bus journey. They had a pretty good look around
Penang before going back to the UK before Jack goes to Chile and Dani to Spain
as part of their studies.
Unfortunately Jack met with a bad accident when back
in the UK when he was knocked off his bicycle. He was airlifted to Addenbrook
Hospital in Cambridge and due to the resilience of youth was discharged several
days later. He had broken ribs and a punctured lung and requires restorative
dental work. He was perhaps lucky but it demonstrates the tightrope of life we
all walk.
Eldest son Paul also visited for a weekend during the middle of an
Asian-based business trip. Ex-IMCB colleague Anand also visited Penang and we
had some time together. It seems to be obligatory for visitors staying on a
Sunday that they have to join the celebrated TRD team in the local pub quiz at
Healy Macs. We have managed 2 thirds a second and 2 firsts to date. Jack
needs to study more on Musicals while Paul’s knowledge on German golfers was
rather lacking.
Photo
shooting has trailed off as the birds complete their nesting and the wet season
approaches. I spent some time with the bee-eaters that remain at Penanti. I
discovered that some are having a second breeding and the chicks from the first
batch assist with the feeding of their siblings. I have also searched further
afield in the Botanic Gardens and Ulu Paip for more subjects. The Bee-eater
chicks at Penanti had to survive a number of insults, including track renovations
and snake, before they were able to fledge. I published a blog on these
observations as well as indicating the mindless ‘upgrading’ on the birding site
at Byram. I have been contacted by the press regarding the latter blog.
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| This poor Bee-eater arrived at its nest to find it covered with soil. It dug frantically to reach the chicks |
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| A young chick has a look at the world for the first time |
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| A Little Heron with breakfast |
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| The stream running through Ulu Paip |
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| Active rubber tree tapping near Ulu Paip |
The
magazine ‘Australian Photography’ ran a feature on my photography and I managed
to win the nature section of the Australian Photographic Society’s annual
competition.
Sadly my
exhibition at the G-Hotel was deconstructed yesterday after an extra month on
display. I was reasonably pleased with the result and learnt quite a bit from
various comments.
I have
been asked to produce a monthly newsletter for the Digital Division of the
Australian Photographic Society. I had to upgrade my computers operating system
and learn the intricacies of Mac’s ‘Pages’ program but things are progressing
well as long as members provide material on time.
Friends
of ours have just purchased an apartment in the same estate that we live. They
are currently selling their house in Dallas, and John asked me to take some
pictures during an official inspection. The views are certainly worth the
investment alone. The landscaping is also very well done.
The
Super rugby competition reaches its conclusion this weekend with the Chiefs
defending their title against the Brumbies. I will miss the regular
weekend diet until next season. Unfortunately my picks were generally along the
same level as the Highlanders although I did manage one possible score. We have upgraded our TV during the month and can now view sport (and crap) in HD.
