I still feel overwhelmed with my last climb at the breathtaking,Mt. Kapayas of Cebu. Not only did the peak take my breath away but the entire journey up the mountain also captivated my senses. More on that, every aspect of the mountain left me utterly astounded and in awe of how amazing nature is.
We were told of the abundance of flora of fauna of the mountain (during our pre-climbed orientation). It is heartwarming to know that this mountain is one of the last two remaining protected forests in Cebu.
So during the trek, I remained watchful, keeping my keen eyes on the ground and my surroundings so I could not miss this richness of nature. And yes! What I saw made my eyes sparkle with delight as much as there are so many plants and animals in the mountains that I only first saw in Mt. Kapayas.
So in this blog, come with me as I share the incredible world of Mt. Kapayas, its flora, and fauna. I honestly wish I could take pictures of all the wondrous sights I witnessed there that filled my eyes with amazement and share its beauty with you but true as the saying goes, "some best moments are captured in the heart, not in the camera". Nevertheless, I'm excited to show you some of my favorite encounters with the unspoiled wildlife of Mt. Kapayas.
Taraaa! Let's go!
Oops wait, let's take a glimpse of our excited faces during the initial climb!
We're more than ready to go!
Just as we entered the wilderness, we saw Kuya guide paused to inspect something on the ground where a group of Cogon Grass was covering for something. To our surprise, we discovered a nest with five tiny bird eggs nestled within. This simple, heartwarming sight filled me with emotion as I envisioned the beauty and wildlife of this mountain. It felt like a promising sign of the natural wonders yet to be uncovered.😍
Amazing beauty of wild floras!
As we began our ascent at the mountain's base, the presence of the wild forest strawberries was what welcomed us. Every climber will surely take a look at this and may be tempted to pluck a few. It's truly amazing how these plants are scattered all around. They aren't common in my hometown, so I was absolutely captivated by these wild strawberries, and I couldn't help but wonder about them!
Its ripe color is a vibrant shade of red. There were plenty of ripe fruits which piqued my curiosity about their taste. If these berries are sweet the climbers will definitely harvest them, but since it's there, I simply guess their taste is not as delightful as they look, or perhaps they are poisonous.😅Or maybe the climbers just left it as be, and preserved it. What do you think?
Next up, I came across some other wild berries, I guess. Hehe. In my hometown, we have similar varieties, but they're the green ones that turn black when they ripen. However, the ones I spotted on this mountain were a beautiful shade of purple. I couldn't help but nickname them "Beauty Berries" for their charming appearance. I'm not entirely sure if they are edible, but they are undoubtedly a delightful sight in the wild. 😍
Another delight I saw was the flower which instantly reminded me of a Cherry blossom. hehe. I don't know, but its color and beauty seemed to transport me to the world of Sakuras. Do you also feel the same?
In addition to the peach wildflowers, we also came across these pretty pink blossoms with five delicate petals. They looked as if they had a tiny crown at their center. Their vibrant color stood out brilliantly amidst the lush surroundings, adding a touch of elegance to the natural beauty all around us.
The one below I couldn't tell. It's something ripe. For sure some insects had a feast on this!
Amidst the unique and unfamiliar wildflowers I encountered in the mountains, I was also delighted to come across some tiny wildflowers that were familiar to me from home.
Wild Brown bells. By far this was the cutest fruit? flower? I saw on the mountain. I was imagining what would it look like when it grew. Mhmmm.
Those are just a few of the incredible wild plants I had the pleasure of encountering in Mt. Kapayas. They are, indeed, a sight to behold. But you know, there's so much more to explore in the mossy forest, which I plan to cover in a separate blog soon. Now, let's turn our attention to the fascinating world of the crawling fauna on the mountain.
Before that, let's try the taste of the water first coming from the mountain's natural spring! 😎
Wild crawling fauna!
As we were walking, my mind couldn't help but wander to the possibility of encountering wild animals. It was a mix of fear and excitement, and I couldn't help but laugh at the thought. Fortunately, the animals that crossed our path seemed harmless, (at least as long as we respected their space and didn't disturb them)!
A Bronzeback snake!
It was our guide who spotted the snake first, and instead of rattling which was always my reaction every time I saw a snake, I was genuinely thrilled to see one this time! Haha. It's not that big yet but I wish it grow and enjoy its life in the wilderness of Mt. Kapayas.
And since the mountain is wet and has cold temperatures we saw almost everywhere a millipides. Sometimes they are crawling on the rocks or on the trees. So you really have to check where are going to grip your hands to not harm these creatures.
Given the mountain's wet and cold conditions, we encountered millipedes almost everywhere. They could be found crawling on rocks, trees, and various surfaces. It was a gentle reminder to be cautious about where we placed our hands and feet, to not harm these fascinating creatures. As for me, I was surprised a couple of times because of these creatures!
Another millipede I spotted was the giant black one! So when you climb Mt. Kapayas expect to see plenty of these everywhere.
Last but never least is this black and orange dotted beetle. Unbelievably, this creature is so tiny but it has the loudest voice in the forest every time it flaps its wings! Seems the whole place is vibrating. I was shocked to learn this from my co-climber. 😶
I believe the few glimpses of wildlife I shared were just the tip of the iceberg. Mt. Kapayas is teeming with hundreds of distinct and incredible species. It's a testament to the beauty and biodiversity of the lush forest. So could you imagine the wonders that await those who venture off the beaten path and create their own trail through this verdant and enchanting wilderness? I bet I should try this next time!
That's it for the amazing world of fauna and flora of Mt. Kapayas. Thank you so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed it! I wish you all safe and well always.
Don't forget to smile often!😘😊🤗
