Photography Workshop @ SBWR

A group of GVs + avid photographers snapped away at Sungei Buloh on US's independence day. We were attending the hands-on session/ workshop for macro photography, organised by GPA.

Unfortunately, I ended the day with only a few satisfactory shots.

The Weaver Ant/ Kerangga Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) can be commonly found in SBWR. It's nest can be found among the Sea Hibiscus which produces nectar that the Weaver Ant is attracted to. In return for the nectar, the ant protects the plant from leaf-eating insects - no one wants a nasty bite! The Ant's nest is quite a 大工程 - the workers ants build the nest by joining one or more living leaves together by the edge using a very strong silk produced from a squeezed larva.

Not sure of the ID of this grasshopper, but it was absolutely cooperative while I snapped away.

I was really excited to see a real Ashy Tailorbird's (Orthotomus ruficeps) nest, after all that tailorbird's nest-making art and craft classes. Even though there were no eggs nor nestlings in the nest, it was still exciting to see the intriguing work of the skilful tailor. The female bird constructs its nest by pulling the 2 outer edges of a single large leaf together, and holds it by 'sewing' bark fibres/ web strands through tiny holes pierced on the edges of the leaf, using its beak.

The nest is then lined with soft comfy materical such as cotton. It is said that after the female is done sewing, the nest must be inspected and passed by the male before it can used! TSK! such chauvinistic behaviour!

Finally, I have a satisfactory photo of the St Andrew's cross spider (Argiope mangal). This spider got it's name from its X' shape resulted from how it holds its eight legs in pairs. The female spider spins the usual orb web plus additional stabilimentum, which are 2 silky zig-zag bands on the web. Not sure whats its use though, maybe to stabilise the web? And probably to warn flying birds of the web, just like how lighthouses warn ships of shallow waters.

Next to the main bridge, an occupied nest of the Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis) caught our attention. The bold and cooperative bird was hardly affected by our commotion as we took turns to take pictures of it. The sunbird feeds largely on nectar, although will also consider insects when feeding its young.

Have not seen otters at close range in SBWR, hopefully lady's luck will be on my side during my next visit!