Flora and Fauna of Jiri mountain and Baekwun mountain

Visited southern part of korean peninsula

following group of undergraduate students trying to prepare their class

Jiri Mountan is one of the largest and well known mountain beloved by Korean,

with Taebaek Mt. on former posting, this mountain is one of the most spiritual place where many shamans visit here to channel with god-spirit(most of them are ghostly ancesters)

but yes, It was definitely not my purpose to meet any ghostly spirits, I was there to help discussion with younger collegues and my personal, Birding and looking for other lifes.

Hwa-eom-sa, Temple, one of the most famous temple in Korea

For Birders, It is the Last resort for hill pidgeons, which are almost extinct in Korea. This day, I've failed to get these birds, only thing left for me was guanos on thousand-year temple rooftops.

these birds are so underlooked due to their feral-pidgeon-like appreance,

 but these are obvious, distinct species, for birders to list.

Anyway, photo of real record starts from here

There were several brown dippers at the mountaneous streams, most of them finished their first clutch.

It is easy to observe opaque nictitating  membrane from dippers. this parent was indifferent to its offspring, begging for food.

 clumsy,  food-begging offspring.

Japanese bush warbler, this is much abundant than its close relative, Korean(Manchurian) bush warbler

It's song is quite familiar to most of koreas, because it is used in subway and radio signals few years ago, but how many of them could recognize it?

 Another common forest stream breeder, Grey wagtail. 

this young Pale thrush was brave enough to feed on its own prize (earthworm) on open rocky shore ofthe forest stream. Not certain, but I think its a juvenile male.(Juvenile is quite sure)

There was a Breeding Dollerbird at Hwa eom Temple. Bringing its prey for offsprings.

In Korea, dollerbirds are quite common around rural area and large city parks, even thereare not much large trees to provide cavities, why? the use magpie nests as a perfect surrogate!

Above and below : Ligustrum japonicum (?)

Check the flower, 2 stamen are elongnated out of the flower.

these are confusing species..

 Above : Celtis sinensis.
Below: Aphananthe aspera.

Yup, much easier.

Where is the bird? well camouflaged Juvenile Scaly thrush. I saw fresh fledged, full clutch of scaly thrush  with this individual. there were 5 more Juvenile birds flushed by my occurence.

Lindera glauca  I love the fresh fragrance of genus Lindera,  and those fruits always remind me snail's tentacles and eyes 

 Paper mullberry sp. Brousonetia sp.   kazinoki? or papyrifera  unfortuately, failed to identifiy exact species, In my opinion, it looks close to B. kazinoki , but not sure, I could'nt check the keys.
As infered from its english and scientific name this tree is the raw material of traditional korean paper, with its strong but soft fibers inside, stem and branches are processed to timeproof-papers which are famous for lasting for thausand years.

 Yes, and of course the berry was sweet, seasoned with little bitterness.

the Silk tree  Albizia julibrissin  full of nectar and fragance, it lures many butterflies, and our sights too,

not focused, but I found an Ussuri mamushi Gloydius ussuriensis, most abundant poisonous viper, which can cause death if not properly treated.

But don't be feared of it. he was the most frighten one amoung all the life around there.

 the last flower is Hydrangea serrata   also abundant hydrangea species  in Korea. it's flower color is known to be affected by acidity of soil.

Seom jin River, one last large river that yet not blocked by River estuary barrage in korea.

Also, Gu rye gun- county is famous for its traditional market. and lukily, we encountered the market opening and enjoyed sightseeing of the local goods and people.