Poring Hotspring Surprise

Eastern Crimson Sunbird, Pacific Swallow, Olive-winged Bulbul, White-crowned Shama showed up at Poring Hotsprings in Sabah. It was a pleasant surprise indeed, particularly since I have not had the chance of capturing these moments before through camera. Drizzly afternoon that day in Poring.

White-crowned Shama's parading its tail above. Saw this winged beauty just as I was about to enter the hotsprings area. I have Lady Luck to thank for this sighting as well:) The Shama finally gave me a quick sight of its whitish crowning glory before it disappeared into the trees.

A creative reminder that I was in Sabah Tea territory:) Van didn't stop at Ranau so had to snap this picture from inside a van in motion. Sabah Tea has a large plantation in Ranau area - worth exploring should there be an opportunity for me to visit Sabah again. Sabah Tea's website has information about teas,  Sabah Tea Resort which are worth taking a closer look.

Wild mangosteen tree just next to the parking area at Poring Hotsprings.

I alerted my Sabahan guide to this fruiting mangosteen tree and he peeled it open for us (including Japanese lady and her daughters) to smell. Wild mangosteen fruit was juicy, sticky (didn't try eating it though) and resembled cherry tomatoes! Our guide mentioned that his grandmother used wild mangosteen to cook in soups. Nuritional value was evident through his healthy size:)

Front view of Olive-winged bulbul below:-

Back view of the Olive-winged Bulbul:-

Famous landmark of Kundasang, Sabah - Green Cabbage.  It was raining by the time we left Poring Hotsprings for Kota Kinabalu. It was pouring cats and dogs by the time we reached Ranau.