Surprisingly, there were quite a few mushrooms/fungi around although the weather in the last few days was warm and dry. However, their colour was rather dull. The displays in the first row were the bracket fungi, which happened to be in season.

Now, the two new discoveries that made my day were a butterfly and a plant with purple fruits attached to its slender stem.

The plant with the purplish fruits looked very much like a Costus species based on the appearance of its leaves. I had already noticed this plant in my past trips but did not too pay much attention to it. The plant should be Amischotolype gracilis.

The butterfly was a strange encounter. Just about an hour into my walk, I saw this large butterfly landed on a leaf a few metres away. While I was trying to slowly creep near it, it flew off. I knew it was a species that I had not seen previously. It was kind of a disappointment but I was used to such missed encounters. Strangely, about 2 hours into the trip, the same butterfly appeared. My approach again failed. It took off and I thought I had lost my second chance. The most mysterious thing happened. It landed again on a leaf just arm length from me. Thereafter, it kept still while I took all the shots that I wanted.

It was not too difficult to identify the Saturn butterfly (Zeuxidia amethystus amethystus) when I get home as there are good reference sources available.

Lastly, two types of fruits/seeds were found on the forest floor. I had no idea which plants they were from. [Update: The flatten seed pods are likely from the climber, Derris amoena.]

If not for the butterfly and the purple fruits plant, I would have tracked for a longer distance looking for new things. With the two, I was contented with the trip and decided to head home at noon.