Bornean rainforest, waterfall and orchids

Chasing the slim possibility of good diving conditions during the February monsoon in an El niño year in the North Eastern South China Sea meant facing reality when bad visibility resulted in a trip cut short. However, as fortune would have it, we had a whole day to explore the nearby rainforest reserve during the decompression period, before flying. I almost wished I had made plans to stay longer, as the resident hornbills had just recently hatched their first chicks and it would have been great to have had the chance to spot the happy family. Their distinctive calls were heard often during the hike.

The misty, dipterocarp forest. This picture did not do justice to the sheer size and astounding diversity of the different tree species here.

Beautiful fan palms, Licuala valida, graced the entire hike.

Two examples of winged fruit from Dipterocarpaceae, the second being from Shorea macrophylla a.k.a. Engkabang.

Waterfall.

Underwater shot of fishes at the waterfall.

Nepenthes bicalcarata, with its distinctive lid and beautifully proportioned pitcher.

Musa sp.

Selaginella sp.

One of the terrestrial orchids encountered, Claderia viridiflora, which had a strong scent reminiscent of jasmines.

Coelogyne foerstermanii cluster high up on a tree, some in flower.

Appendicula sp. by a stream.

Fallen Coelogyne sp. (?)

Here are some other orchids that have been rescued from the site and are housed in a shaded area. Hopefully, these will continue to set seed, or be re-distributed somehow.

Acriopsis liliifolia

Robiquetia spathulata