Mimicry in my potted garden

Mimicking a bird dropping.

Feasting on a citrus leaf. 

Undisturbed because of its looks.

Would you transform yourself to look like a bird dropping to survive? This caterpillar just did. A smart survival tactic. By doing so, my potted garden visitor just protected itself from being disturb while eating the leaves of my citrus seedling. Who will dare touch a bird dropping?

Photos: Alma P. Gamil
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

House cat portrait

Nginarat.

Rosal: Bulusan's heirloom flower

These rosal flowers sighted on a table in a senior citizens' Christmas party in Bulusan strengthened my view that this is the flower most loved by the lolas (grandmothers) of Bulusan. Not a surprise. Besides the most lovely scent it has the most elegant and exquisite form, like a fusion of a camellia and a white rose. Its petals have a leathery feel that responds to the touch.

The ornamental rosal is a shrub with a glossy evergreen leaves.

Rosal is known in the world as gardenia. Its fragrance is unforgettable. It is also one of the two of my favorites. The other one is camia.

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines

Moonlight Conversations

Every full moon I am a witness to the silent conversations of the palm by my window 

                                        

and the full moon that goes on until the peak of the moon rise. 

                                                           

The moon's ethereal whiteness illuminating my bedroom window

                                                                                  

also reflects sparks of shine from the leaves 

of the coconut palm as it sway in the soft night breeze.

Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines