Myanmar Sunset II

Taken from the window of the Mandalay Express, somewhere in central Myanmar. Go here for details about this grueling 48 hour train ride across Myanmar. [NOTE: I look back on this experience now with a certain fondness -and am ready to do it again].

Plant Collecting

Another example of an elephant being used to collect plant specimens (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). If I remember correctly, the mahouts were trying to get the orchid on the branch above for Dr. Saw Lwin (see Tea Break). [NOTE: The black Eagle Creek duffel bag on top of the white plastic jug on the elephant to the right has all of my stuff in it]. 

Checking The Bridge

Drivers checking the bridge at Mile 15 on the Ledo Road in the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. They straightened some boards, added a few more, pounded in some nails, and then drove their rattan trucks over it on the way Myitkyina. [NOTE: I just found a treasure trove of images from the 2005 Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey and Tea Break) on a CD in one of my filing cabinets. Stay tuned].

Elephant on the Road

Really hope they get everything straightened out in Kachin State (see Happenings in Kachin). There's nothing quite like finishing up an inventory transect, walking out on the road, and seeing an elephant come lumbering toward you. I miss Myanmar. 

Tea Break

Taking a break in a tea shop in Shimbweyeng (I think) during the 2005 rattan survey of the Hukaung Valley in northern Myanmar (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). L to R: U Tun Shaung, media assistant in WCS Myanmar Program; me; U Kyaw Lwin, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Botany, Mandalay University; U Tin Maung Ohn, Associate Professor, Department of Botany, University of Yangon; U Myint Maung, Warden, Hukaung Tiger Reserve; U Saw Lwin, orchidologist, Department of Botany, University of Yangon; Zon Nay Tun, head, WCS field crew. Great group of people. [NOTE: I assume Andrew (see A Palm, Two Botanists With Cameras) took the photo].

Porter II

Another porter from Myanmar.  This one from the village of Namyun (see Driver Needs A Drink Of Water) in Sagaing Division near the border with India. Younger, smaller in stature, and cargo more precious than in the previous post; same task, same attitude, same flip-flops.

Porter

This young fellow was working as a porter at Kyaiktiyo, in Mon State, Myanmar (see Kyaiktiyo). He'd wait down at the base of the mountain near the parking lot and carry people's bags, e.g. mine, up the steep ramp to the pagoda. Very professional. And courteous. And strong. Maybe 12-13 years old? [NOTE: He would carefully wrap the client's bag in plastic in case of rain during the ascent].

Calamus erectus Roxb.

Another rattan from northern Myanmar (see Myauk Chee Kyein and Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). This one is Calamus erectus Roxb., a clustering, but non-climbing, palm found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Thailand. Beautiful whorls of long yellow spines. Unfortunately, this rattan is more photogenic than useful, as the cane is relatively short, thick, and unflexible given its free-standing habit. [NOTE: Link is to the C. erectus entry in Andrew Henderson's wonderful Palms of Southern Asia book].

Cooling Off

Scorching temperatures in New York remind me of standing knee-deep in the Taron River (see Crossing the Taron) in northern Myanmar with my pants rolled up trying to take a photo of an elephant and his handler wading out into the river to cool off. And trying not to drop my camera in the water. And wondering how long before it started raining.

Naw Aung

Naw Aung (see Naw Aung and His Sagawa and Tool Repair) is a villager from Shinlonga (see Shinlonga) who has helped out during all phases of the community forestry work (see Hukaung Logs) in the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve. He's amazing in the field. Here he is taking a smoke break during the inventory of the Village Management Area (see Last Stake). [NOTE: All fieldwork in northern Kachin State has been temporarily suspended due to fighting between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army. More details here].