Spunky Spiny Turtle

On the way downhill, our human met this lone spiny turtle. Its spines were not yet thoroughly worn down through age and rummaging years for food among the abrasive undergrowth.

Our human slowly placed one foot beside it as size comparison before snapping a photo.

This chap, did a sudden little hop and turned 180 degrees around to face the foot.

Surprised at its agility and speed, our human stayed still.

When it climbed up with its neck stretched out aiming for our human's ankle, our human felt a little uneasy and moved.

Our human gently prodded and guided that spunky chap to the side of the path into the thick undergrowth.

PS: Could not blog earlier weeks due to thunderstorm electricity trip.

I Will Survive 2026!

Our human loves going for morning walks as the surroundings, especially the plants are encouraging and do not give up.

This plant, off the path, was bent; it grew a branch straight up. The bent plant now almost touching the ground grew leaves.

Off the path and chopped off, this plant grew new leaves.

Our human absolutely loves this plant for showing its resilience.
Also off the path, it was chopped off; it grew sideways to the left. When it was also broken, it grew up straight up with leaves sprouting.

PS: When the internet router was upgraded to higher speed plus data lately; and
having retired 20 years ago with no one to ask, our human had a little trouble comprehending the fast evolving internet jargon.

Artistically Feasted On; Can you see it?

Our human noticed something unusual, stopped to look closer.

The leaves had unusual shapes. After a while upon closer scrutiny, our human realised it was artistically feasted on creating this unique lovely shape. The shoe below is for comparison.

Our human carefully looked but could not find any clue as to who the culprit is.

This Keeled Rat Snake, also known as King Koros, is non-venomous. Found in Southeast Asian forests, it preys on rodents and small animals.

'Tired Old Man'

It was a normal hiking day.

As usual after the walk, our human cleaned the mud and dirt off the shoes so as not to bring it into the car.

Parked under the roadside trees, our human heard rustles of leaves and looked up. A few monkeys were moving from branches to branches.

Our human quickly took out the cell phone.

As the monkeys moved off, one stopped and decided to rest on a branch nearest to our human...

...and sat there like a 'tired old man' for quite a while.

Yes, our human could relate, feels for him and understand his tiredness.

His home has been invaded, destroyed for human advancement and convenience.

When our human moved to the present home twenty years ago, beside was a small patch of green forest. The air then was fresh with daily visits from monkeys.

Soon it was cleared. In its place, now stands two rows of 4-storey shop office.

Air now is not like before; it feels warmer and faintly smell of vehicle exhaust.

Short-Term Tenant

Snowie is our human brother's pet cat.

The MeowRoom, without the cats, has now been converted into a sort of storeroom; and it took a couple of days for our human to clear out and clean it.

Our human bought a lot of cat food (to try to turn Snowie into a 'fatty') and a cardboard scratch house (that went home with him). 

All the kitty bowls and toys were cleaned.

Snowie was scared when he first arrived and hid in the corner staring. 

By the next day he was purring when our human placed him on the lap and groomed him. He loved playing with all the toys.

Each night, when our human sat in the hall watching TV, Snowie would sit behind the MeowRoom door and watch our human.

After Snowie left, our human cleaned the MeowRoom partially and then procrastinated.

MeowRoom is not completely cleaned yet! 

It is hard to shake off this procrastination disease.