By Ethan Chan
Spiritual Discipline students scattered across the Dalat campus to have a time of silence and reflect upon themselves and the world around them. Watching the blue ocean waters or sitting across from the grassy field, they sat quietly and observed. However, amongst them all, was the silent life that went unnoticed in plain sight.
As leaves trickled down onto the cool ground, Rauru Takikawa (12) embraced the fresh sea winds as he sat under the pleasant shade.
In the conclusion of the class activity, Rauru said, “Being surrounded by the trees creates a calming environment. I like the trees as I look across campus. I get a vibe of leisure around them.”
Standing tall amidst us all, trees have always been there across Dalat. Providing us with shade and creating a greenscape across the school, many students appreciate and rely on their soothing presence. When asked about nature in Dalat, many students replied, mentioning trees, the ocean, or the crows that lurk near the cafeteria. However, what many students don’t notice, is the abundance of other life there is in Dalat apart from themselves. If you observe closely at the trees, you may see more than you realize was there in the first place.
As students walk across the campus, multiple of the trees play host to orchids (Orchidaceae). When not in bloom, they go unnoticed and blend alongside the other plants that cling on the trees. Looking closer at the bark, a multitude of tiny creatures can be found. A hive of stingless bees (Tetragonula) may inhabit one tree and a colony of Bi-coloured Arboreal ants (Tetraponera rufonigra) another. Even more unnoticed, one might find camouflaged assassin bugs (Acanthaspis sp.) that attach debris on their body to mimic the appearance of bark. Trees, however, aren’t the only place where life resides on campus.
Across fences and fields, house crows (Corvus splendens) and the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) watch the campus like hawks, waiting for the right moment to snatch any unsuspecting food. Over the koi pond, long-jawed orb-weavers (Tetragnatha sp.) lay in wait for prey while on their webs. Brushing across the jungle flame (Ixora coccinea), one might reveal a curious Asian ant mantis nymph (Odontomantis planiceps) that might otherwise have been mistaken as an ant. Even in the middle of the Harbour building, jumping spiders (Salticidae) can be found wandering the walls as they hunt for their next meal.
Life in Dalat isn’t limited to just trees and birds. Being on a tropical island, we have a highly biodiverse environment, not only in the forest, but even at school. The Dalat campus is home to countless species that go unappreciated on a daily basis. From a tiny pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpiones) in the field to a goose-filled reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus), my experience as a student at Dalat has allowed me to witness all sorts of organisms in the school and to this day, I’m seeing new species all the time. So, if you ever want to discover a piece of Dalat’s hidden nature, you don’t have to look far. There’s nature just waiting for you in plain sight.
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