was to be Lampam resort, just outside of Thale Noi Bird Sanctuary. To get there meant we would cross the entire Isthmus from east to west, which entailed an arduous 5-hour mini-van ride. Thom had wisely decided to break up the trip with a stop at a waterfall for some stretching, relaxing and lunch.

Three hours later we disembarked at the parking lot of the waterfall. A short hike to the swimming and picnic area before we could set out to explore.

As soon as we unloaded I spotted a nice, big Golden Orb spider. Almost as soon as I noticed it, an unwary insect flew smack dab into the center of it’s web. Bad luck for the flying critter, but a good meal for the spider.

I marveled at the spider for a while before I decided to let it eat in peace.

We made it to the top of the waterfall in no time at all. Most people decided to go for a swim. I was about to do the same thing when something caught my attention. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted movement. I looked up and scanned the trees. Nothing. I walked around the tree and there it was. A flying lizard! I had seen them before on Pulau Tioman, off the coast of Malaysia, so I knew exactly what it was. A beautiful specimen! It was wary though. I tried to snap a photo but it kept moving every time my digital camera would finally decide it was ready to shoot. Another flying lizard (Draco sp.) zoomed in and landed next to the first one. They kept bobbing around the tree, as if they were toying with me. All I could get was a photo of it’s silhouette. Better than nothing!

I swear I spent the better part of an hour trying to get a photo of the flying lizard. I soon tired of my photographic ambitions and decided to have a look around.

I waded into the small creek and peeked under some rocks. I uncovered dragonfly, caddisfly, and stonefly nymphs galore. The stream was rich in aquatic fauna. Fish were darting in and out from under rocks. It was a beautiful sight. Quite a contrast to the turbid streams and rivers I’m used to in Kuala Lumpur. I was happy!

A small toad (only the size of the first segment of my little finger) was near the water’s edge. Thankfully, it was very content to pose for me while I snapped a photo. The abundance and diversity of life was amazing. I could hardly believe all the critters I was seeing.

Pretty soon a Crested Serpent Eagle swooped in and landed across the stream. I couldn’t get me camera to focus on it before it glided off. I was glad to have seen it though.

I soon realized that I had been so preoccupied with flying lizards, aquatic insects, toads and raptors that I hadn’t even walked over to the waterfall. I wandered over and was treated to this view! Amazing… I couldn’t stop thinking it or saying it.

The only evidence of human impact was a sign proclaiming that the edge was slippery and dangerous.

After a lunch of fried rice it was time to trek back down to the vans and load up. Another two hours and we’d be at our destination, Lampam Resort. As we were loading up the van I managed to snap a photo of one of the most beautiful lizards I have ever seen! I was literally holding my camera a few inches from it’s face. So far I was living a naturalist’s dream. I had seen extraordinary wildlife and on top of that they were all patient with my fumbling attempts to photograph and document them!

One last picture before the rest of the group began yelling at me to get in the van! A newly emerged katydid. Fresh from it’s exoskeleton. A second or third instar I reckon. Pretty young either way.

And off we went.

Next stop, rest and relaxation at Lampam Resort.