The Flame Vine or orange trumpet vine ( Pyrostegia venusta), a South American native which puts on a display of orange flowers has started to come out in flower . It is perhaps one of the most spectacular flowering vines.
Category Archives: Wildlife
Birds & Bees
Went to have a look around the lake today. Whilst I was there I noticed that a pair of Green Bee Eaters had returned and also a pair of Kingfishers
Banded Krait
Have been out on my bike re-exploring some of the dirt tracks that I had forgotten where they went. In places it is like a maze & has taken a couple of days for me to remember most of them again. Yesterday I came across a Banded Krait on the road.
Fortunately for me it was already dead – a car had run over it as they are venomous & potentially fatal
Magpie Robin – Nok Gan ken
Spotted this bird down by the lake. It is a Magpie robin known in Thai as Nok Gan-ken Baan which translates as Roof cross bird.
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Cattle Egret – Nok Yang Kwai
In the morning these can be seen around the lake but fly off as soon as you approach them. In Thai they are called Nok yang Kwai which translates as Water buffalo Heron.
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Birds & Fish
Went to farm number 2 to clear some more weeds. However very hot today so gave up after a couple of hours. However I saw the Kingfisher again that I saw last year and I thought had probably been killed by poachers
Also saw a Large Snakehead ( Fish) in the lake – at least a couple of feet long – The largest I have seen.
Day around the Lake
Went down to the lake again today to clear some more weeds. Relaxing afterwards I spotted a pair kingfishers again . I also saw another one a reddish brown in colour but too far away to identify .next Time I go to Nong Khai I will but a pair of binoculars from the street market. Our dog (saw) has now been taken of his chain so he can roam around freely. Yesterday Tim caught somebody trying to steel some bananas but they ran away before they could be caught. Hopefully saw should deter any future thefts.
Sensitive plant
Went clearing the weeds again today. There were many sensitive plants – when touched the leaves close up quickly . In Thai there name is maiyarab .
Also sure some of the “nok bet” that live around the lake. As far as I can identify they are Javan Pond Herons.
