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Between light and shadow, the bee-eater pauses—guarding that thin line we all walk. One side bright with promise, the other deep with doubt. In this quiet moment, it neither rises into light nor slips into darkness… just breathes, choosing its path, the way we all must when life stands still and asks who we want to become.
This is an old Bidayuh panggah, sometimes called a skull house. In the past, it was where the skulls from headhunting were kept, symbols of courage and protection for the community. The panggah was also the place where warriors and unmarried young men stayed, apart from the women and children, guarding the longhouse as the first line of defence. Today, it stands in silence, weathered and broken in parts, yet carrying the memory of a way of life now fading. For the Bidayuh, the panggah was never just a shelter of wood and leaves — it was a place of pride, duty, and identity.
Nothing stays forever. The sun will set, the tide will rise, the golden light will fade. Even the stillest moments are always moving — slipping quietly into memory. But that is the gift of nature: it teaches us to pause, to feel, to see. To hold beauty, not by keeping it, but by carrying it within us. Beneath the golden silence, we are reminded — everything passes, and that is why this moment matters.
The forest stirs, but all is quiet.
Soft light filters through the trees.
Perched alone, the heron waits.
Still.
Aware.
Welcoming the day in silence.
In the quiet shelter of the cave, a family of monkeys huddles close—united by instinct, strengthened by love. The mother’s arms cradle her young, while the father stands guard, calm but alert.
This hidden place offers more than safety. It is a world of stillness, where light touches fur like whispers, and every heartbeat echoes a promise of protection. In the shadows, their bond shines brightest.
A Greater Green Leafbird sits quietly on a shaded branch, catching a soft beam of light that reveals the rich greens of its feathers. The calm contrast between shadow and glow gives this simple moment a peaceful, almost intimate feel. A gentle reminder of how beautiful and delicate wildlife can be when seen in a quiet pause.
Captured in the wetlands as this stork gathers a twig for its nest. A quiet display of instinct and construction—shaping a home for the next generation.
She stretches her wings like she’s shaking off sleep, the little crown on her head catching the light. Standing in the shallows, she looks around as if to say, ‘Alright, world, I’m ready for today.
Standing proudly on stilts above the earth, the Melanau Tall House is a powerful symbol of Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage. Built by the Melanau people — one of the earliest settlers along the coastal regions of Borneo — this towering structure reflects their unique way of life, deep respect for nature, and skilled craftsmanship.
Traditionally raised up to 40 feet high, the house served both practical and spiritual purposes. The height protected its occupants from floods, wild animals, and even raiding enemies. Beneath its timber frame, families stored boats and tools, while the upper levels were living spaces shared by extended families.
Made entirely of local hardwood and sago palm, the house is a testament to the Melanau’s intimate connection with their environment. Every detail — from the carved totem pole at the front to the carefully placed windows — holds meaning, blending function with cultural expression.
Today, the Melanau Tall House stands not only as a home, but as a living museum — a reminder of a resilient people and their deep-rooted traditions that continue to shape the identity of Borneo.
My full collection of photos from here is on my website @ www.peterstokesphotography.com/Australian-Botanic-Gardens...
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But its taken using a Sony A7Ii with a Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan red V 50mm 1.2.9 vintage lens. I was so relieved that Explore did its lucky dip on the previous shot because unless you are a vintage lens aficionado you may not appreciate the gentle rendering of colour or much else to reccomend this shot but I love this shot of this particular tree....
Quote from a review
“It's a great, lightweight lens with a strange bokeh. And it's silver and made with attention to details.
Flare resistance is solid and sun stars are fantastic.”
Since 1985, the Penang Bridge has stretched like a silver thread over the strait, binding island and mainland, past and present. For newcomers, it’s a breathtaking path over blue waters; for those who know it well, each crossing is a quiet return to familiar shores, where memories ride the wind.
He sat quietly in the shadows, as if the forest itself was holding its breath. A single beam of light brushed his face, revealing those deep, knowing eyes. For a moment, it felt like he was studying me as much as I was studying him—two beings sharing the same silence, each trying to understand the other.