第六章 - 大堂姐逝世了

在第三章所提到的大堂姐，于2010年5月19日逝世了，享年八十有七。

70年初期，当我出来社会工作时，我才真正地认识这位大堂姐。 我很喜欢她那慈祥的脸孔， 以及她的4 个孩子， 尤其是那位最小的女儿，当年还未正式入学，却很会唱歌给我听。

记得去年5月拜访她老人家时，她还是顶壮的， 过后不久，就中风而进入同善医院接受治疗。等病况好转后，就被孩子们接回半山芭家休养。

今年4月，我和大姐，小弟 上她家探访她，那时她已显得衰弱无力，也不能说话，跟一年前的她简直是不相同。没想到，过后不久即接到她往生的噩耗。

大堂姐是我们家族第廿四世最年长者。她的离去，给我很大的感触。

万法因缘起，皆因缘而灭，愿大堂姐往生西方极乐，永离苦海。

在焦赖火化场进行送别仪式

棺木徐徐而下

忍不住的悲伤

看最后的一眼

脱孝仪式

洗花水

休息用膳

表姐妹留影（姑姑的女儿）

Raptor Watch Week

This year, the 11th time 'Raptor Watch' was held 0n 13-14th March.

This year also the 70th anniversary of Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).

Venue: The traditional grounds of Ilham Resort, Tanjung Tuan, Melaka (10th Mile Port Dickson).

This is also my 8th time attending this type of event. My first attendance was in 2003. That year, for the first time I met the Father of Digiscoping, the late Mr. Laurence Poh.

Pic taken in year 2003. 3rd from left, the late Mr. Laurence Poh

Entrance at the Ilham Resort

View from the watch tower. Look at the beautiful beach.

I like the backdrop of the stage

and the cute little girl with the binoculars

Some of the sponsors/participants.

Another one

This was where the Selangor Bird Group members gathered

Campaigning "My Garden Birdwatch"

Isn't the bird cute?

My son wanted so much to purchase a green one, but unfortunately no suitable size

Other species of bird printed on fabric

Exciting over some sighting

Good place to meet up with old friends

A lot to talk about

Getting ready for raptors' arrival

Is it a raptor up there?

Any of these species

or these

No raptor? Its OK, Hornbill is around

Unidentified bird

A fierce one, most probably bird of prey

A friendly one

and how about this? Spectacled Spiderhunter?

Talk given by Swee Seng, Co-ordinator for Selangor bird group

and also by Rafi

Rafi's talk attracted such big crowd. Late comers had to stand at the back

Went up to the Light house for better watch

Barn swallow took the show

Then raptors appeared

Steed went into serious action

The Oriental Honey Buzzard

Taking thermal

Ready to go north

Bye, Bon voyage. See you next year.

Lineated Barbet sighted at the Ilham Resort

Birding at Lukut, Port Dickson

There is a stream in Lukut, seldom visited by human, is a good place for birds life. A reasonably good stretch of laterite road runs along the stream, and I use to bird watch from my 4WD.

The water of this stream is quite clear and sufficient food-supply for avi friends.

I was welcomed by the White Breasted-Waterhen with 2 juveniles. So cute.


The weather was extremely hot, a lot of birds came for a shower and good sip of cool fresh water.
Javan Myna had a good time. They were joined by a single Pied-Fantail, but unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of it.


A flock of Scaly-Breasted Munia also came for a cool bath. They stayed for quite a while
I was lucky to see 2 other species of munias, i.e., White-Headed Munia,

and Black-Headed Munia.

Another pic. of Black-Headed Munia.

A pair of Little Egrets had good time feeding.

A pretty one flew by.A number of waders dropped by, which included this Wood Sandpiper (I think. I'm no good in waders id.)



A common Kingfisher was still around, maybe need a good meal before heading off to its homeland. It waited patiently for its prey.
Another picture of it.

Water Monitor Lizard was commonly seen here.

It retreated after noticing me.

By the roadside, a Paddy-Field Pipit made its appearance.
and a lot of Blue-Tailed Bee-Eaters. Surprisingly, according to my record, I had not seen any Blue-Throated Bee-Eater here before.
This Changeable Hawk-Eagle is very productive. It built its nest here almost every year.

A crested Serpent-Eagle perched high on tree.


Just before I left, a Stork-Billed Kingfisher came right in time to bid farewell.