SKY FIELD: LEARN AND FEEL THE NATURE

The unique experience you can get in the Sky Field.Sky Field is located in Paris Van Java, I went to this place on February 11, 2015. Sky Field is a place where you can see and play with nature in the center of Bandung city. You and your family can visit in the area Sky Level, from 10:00 until 19:00. For adventure in the garden 'sky', you must buy a ticket for IDR 20,000 (weekday) and IDR 25,000 (weekends).

There are lot of attraction that you can find inside the Sky Field such as Paddy field, Flowers Field, Butterfly in the Jungle, Turkey Cage, Turtle Island, Dairy Cow Shed and Bunny House. You can also feed all the animals and interact with them.

In the butterfly garden area of 150 m2 is formed like a maze where the track will be posted along the route information boards about various species of butterflies in the world. This information board shaped atlas showing various types of information butterflies of various countries.

There are also areas butterfly metamorphosis from caterpillar form, kepongpong to become a butterfly. Paris Van Java itself has a special breeding butterflies. Species from West Java, Sulawesi, to Papua as the most endangered species and large blue. There are also several species from abroad such as from Africa.

At the end of the maze, we will see the orchid area, specifically for the orchid garden, which has a collection of up to 200 different species, and some have endangered species. Visitors who are interested in collecting orchids is also ready to be served.

On the other, there is a flower garden complete with bamboo tower as high as 3 floors with a background picture taken snapshot point expanse of colorful flower garden, like a garden of tulips in the Netherlands.

Bring your child, friends, and family get closer to the nature.

Natural Phenomenon: Rainbow Eucalyptus, Most Beautiful Tree Bark on Earth

Trees are amazing organisms, providing shelter, shade and fruit -- and even communicating with each other via fungi. The bark of certain trees can even bear colours of the rainbow, as seen in the stunning species Eucalyptus deglupta, commonly called the "rainbow eucalyptus" or "Mindanao gum."

Eucalyptus deglupta is a tall tree, commonly known as the rainbow eucalyptus, Mindanao gum, or rainbow gum. It is the only Eucalyptus species found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere. Its natural distribution spans New Britain, New Guinea, Seram, Sulawesi and Mindanao.

The unique multi-hued bark is the most distinctive feature of the tree. Patches of outer bark are shed annually at different times, showing a bright green inner bark. This then darkens and matures to give blue, purple, orange and then maroon tones. They grow 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and over 200 feet (61 m) tall.

Uses
In the present day this tree is grown widely around the world in tree plantations, mainly for pulpwood used in making paper. It is the dominant species used for pulpwood plantations in the Philippines.

Cultivation
Eucalyptus deglupta is cultivated as an ornamental tree, for planting in tropical and subtropical climate gardens and parks. It is not resistant to frosts.
The showy multi-coloured streaks that cover the trunk are a distinctive landscape design element.

Native to the tropical regions of New Britain, New Guinea, Seram, Sulawesi and Mindanao, the rainbow eucalyptus is a extremely large, broadleaved evergreen tree and is the only eucalyptus species indigenous to the northern hemisphere. It grows lightning quick, being able to double its size every year, before reaching a trunk diameter of 6 feet and soaring to heights above 200 feet!

The most extraordinary feature is its vibrantly coloured bark, bits of which are discarded every year at various intervals, revealing bright green inner bark (phloem) that eventually matures and changes into rainbow-hued blues, reds, oranges and purple-browns in the summer.

Though the tree can be grown in ornamental gardens (its colours showing best in tropical or subtropical places), its wood is often used for paper pulp in countries like the Philippines. Here is are images of the tree's leave and flowers. The seeds of the rainbow eucalyptus are smaller than an ant -- but can be germinated at home.

While this may appear to be a cool tree with camouflaged bark, it actually continues to morph in all the colors of a rainbow. If you enjoy the forest, then you probably like trees. This isn’t Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but somewhere under the rainbow, so if you don’t live in a warm, moist climate, then you might not have ever come across the most beautiful bark of any tree on Earth. With bright and uniquely-colored trunk and branches, the Rainbow Eucalyptus is “one of the most amazingly colorful species of tree,” noted the photographer. 

The bark is smooth, but flaky as it sheds layers on various places at different times along the tree, revealing new colors and keeping up the appearance of a rainbow. The landscaping article Under the Rainbow explained, “As the newly exposed bark slowly ages, it changes from bright green to a darker green, then bluish to purplish, and then pink-orange. Finally, the color becomes a brownish maroon right before exfoliation occurs. Since this process is happening in different zones of the trunk and in different stages, simultaneously, the colors are varied and almost constantly changing. As a result, the tree will never have the same color pattern twice, making it like a work of living art. 

This uniquely-shaped tree was in a small eucalyptus grove along the way to Hana, Maui. The eucalyptus deglupta is called by many names, most commonly the rainbow eucalyptus. Since it is believed to have originated in the Philippines, specifically the island of Mindanao, it is also called Mindanao gum or rainbow gum. 

Sunshine and rainbows. This is a sun-loving tree that “does not grows naturally in areas with a pronounced dry season but occurs in those where the annual rainfall is very high and the monthly rainfall usually exceeds 150 mm. Because of this, it is widely planted throughout the wet tropics. E. deglupta does not withstand prolonged flooding, is highly sensitive to fires and, although it may grow in cool environments, it does not tolerate frost.

Rainbow eucalyptus trees go from bright green after shedding to darkening and maturing to give blue, purple, orange and then maroon tones. 

Rainbow Eucalyptus at the Keahua Arboretum. “The Mindanao gum was first introduced to Hawai’i for reforestation in 1929 at Wahiawa Botanical Garden. From its beginning in Wahiawa, the Mindanao gum was distributed and now grows throughout the Islands.” 

Magical looking forests: The multi-colored streaks of the trunks make these trees a distinctive landscape design element. If you’d like to have one, like we would, then in the United States the trees are only shipped to zones 9 and 10, meaning the lowest possible temperatures are 20 – 30°F. 

The same tree can appear different, morphing as it sheds patches of showy bark at different times throughout the year. When wet, such as after a rain, the bark takes on a shiny coloring.

Grown around the world in tree plantations, the rainbow eucalyptus is mainly used for pulpwood in making white paper. It is the dominant species used for pulpwood plantations in the Philippines, but coffee farmers in Costa Rica are using the shade of this tree to effectively grow their coffee. Also the wood from the tree can be used to make furniture and cabinets and sometimes for construction. In Hawaii, the rainbow eucalyptus is also used for making boats. 

Rainbow eucalyptus, truly one of the most amazingly beautiful trees on Earth. Beautiful, Unusual, Hard to Find and Highly Recommended!

Sources:

http://www.lovethesepics.com/2013/01/living-rainbow-rainbow-eucalyptus-most-beautiful-tree-bark-on-earth-36-pics/
http://christophermartinphotography.com/tag/eucalyptus-deglupta/
http://www.exoticatropicals.com/tropical-trees/eucalyptus-deglupta-rainbow-eucalyptus/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_deglupta

ANIMAL KINGDOM: SUGAR GLIDER

If you are planning on purchasing a small pet for your kids or family, and are looking for a pet that is cute, friendly and fun, then you should consider a Sugar Glider.

Sugar gliders have become a popular exotic pet. They are small and relatively easy to care for, and have a cute if not unusual appearance. As with any other exotic pet , a potential owner should be aware of their care requirements and personality before acquiring a sugar glider.

Natural History
Sugar Gliders are marsupials; that is their young start life off in a pouch (like a kangaroo). They originally hail from Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, and live in forests. Their name is derived from their diet (in part they feed on nectar and the sap of eucalyptus), and from the flap of skin they have between their wrists and ankles that allows them to glide between trees. They are omnivorous, meaning they will eat plant material and meat - food in the wild include nectar, fruit, insects and even small birds or rodents. They live in social family units in the wild, a trait which makes them inclined to bond well with their human family. However, if they are deprived of social interaction they will not thrive (in fact they can become depressed to the point where they may die).

Characteristics
Sugar gliders make endearing, playful, and entertaining pets. As mentioned above they are very social, and ideally they should be kept in pairs or groups, and in any case they should have a good deal of social interaction with their owners. They are fairly clean and do not have complex housing requirements. In addition, they tend to be fairly healthy (although it may be difficult to find an experienced vet to treat them) and can live to be 12-14 years in captivity. They do need a good amount of interaction (even if it is just riding around in a pocket all day), and aren't great housetraining candidates. Their nails are sharp and will scratch if they need to dig in while climbing or landing on you (keep them well trimmed). They also have sharp teeth and though not aggressive, will bite if they feel threatened or frightened. If not acquired tame and used to being handled, it may take a great deal of time and patience to get them to the point where they are cuddly.

Housing
As for housing, a cage of 24 by 24 inches, by 36 inches high is a good minimum size for a pair. This is a minimum, though - bigger is better and for sugar gliders the height is more valuable than floor space. The cage wire should be no more than 1/2 inch wide, and horizontal cage bars allow climbing. The interior of the cage should provide lots of interest with toys, and exercise wheel, nest box and/or glider pouch. Branches, ropes and ladders provide lots of opportunity for climbing and exercise.

Bonding
If a sugar glider is not tame when acquired, time, patience, and gentle frequent training sessions will eventually allow bonding of the glider to its owner. Gliders adore being near their owners, inside a shirt (hint wear two shirts and let the glider hang out between them, or else their claws will tickle or scratch!) or in a pocket. They will be lovely companions, who view you as an equal. Sugar gliders do not respond at all to punishment or domination, so treat them with respect, gentleness and understanding, and you will be rewarded with a devoted companion!

Tips Before Purchasing a Sugar Glider

Before making a purchase of a Sugar Glider, always perform research on its nutritional requirements. For instance, there are some Sugar Gliders that require extra dietary calcium to maintain optimum health. Also, keep in mind that Sugar Gliders are nocturnal animals, which means they remain active mostly at night. While Sugar Gliders themselves do not make an inordinate level of noise when compared to other traditional household pets, they are capable of making several sounds, including a barking sound (similar to a Chihuahua), and a chattering sound (called crabbing) that is similar to a locust. However, in most cases the only times a Glider will make these noises for any sustained period of time are when they are either sick, mistreated, or distressed.

Behavior Traits of Sugar Gliders

The average life span of a Sugar Glider is around 12 to 15 years. They are known for their sociable behavior. They are active pets that love to jump, hover around and glide. Sugar Gliders need special care and attention. They can't be left unattended, and the owner has to give enough care and constant love and attention to this pet in order to keep it healthy and hearty. Last but not the least, Sugar Gliders are wonderful pets to keep and care for. They make good companions and tend to bond to their owner in a short span of time. One can say that they are true fun to watch and play with.

Sources :

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/sugargliders/a/sgaspets.htm

http://www.sugargliderinfo.org/