Friendship is.....

... being a cushion (or a punch bag for that matter) for your friend, even though it means allowing him/ her to place his/her smelly foot on your belly....

... being really upfront with each other. Friends are transparent to each other, and if we have to lay the cards on the table, we fight it out once and for all.  

... nudging each other after the big fight. We quarrel, but we reconcile too. We forgive, and we forget.

... sometimes, seeing eye to eye. Working together towards a common vision, we are likely to have the same values, driven by the same passion. Friendship is often, one mind in two bodies.

... not seeing eye to eye in many matters. Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.

... not being afraid to give a constructive reminder kok on the head. Better he or she be told off by me, than by others.

... being a mirror image of the other if the kok doesnt work. Having a taste of one's own medicine is always cruel but experiential learning always seem to work better.

... watching each other's back. There is no 'I' in a 'Team'.

... looking beside you when it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, because you will always find your friend there...

... being a pillar of support no matter what happens. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

..... accepting each other's differences, even if the other is clad in dirty sand and mud all the time...

Are you a friend to another?

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Go on, appreciate a friend today.. =)

4-hr date on 19 March with the Smooth Otters

I must have walked up and down the main bridge of SBWR more than 30 times on the morning of 19th March. That approximate 300m displacement from the main entrance is all I managed during the 4-hr trip, pretty much because of the stalking of our endearing Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perpicillata).

Quite perfect timing, the gang of 4 swam towards the main bridge just as we were crossing it. One of them showed off their multitasking skill by yawning and swimming at the same time. No wonder, it was barely 8am in the morning. I was yawning and walking at the same time too. =)

3 of them frolick around the area for a short while, catching fishes while waiting for a member who has lagged behind to catch up.

As they walked ashore, they disappeared behind the mangrove plants. So, why did the otter cross the road/ path?

Because they love to enjoy a hearty breakfast at the prawn pond! With the otters swimming back and forth, and round and round the prawn pond, the 3 of us (the human beings) walked up and down the path, following the direction in which they were swimming (the otters) towards.

While I have never been a big fan of fishes (as a food source), I must say the manner in which the otter feasts on really made the sashimi seemed really yummy. The crunchy sound, coupled with the the otter's enthusiasm and look of satisfaction, gave me second thoughts on whether I'm missing out on some gourmet food!

I was secretly pleased to note that I'm not the only lazy bum in the world! What's best after a full stomach? A nap! shiok only if you lie on your back, spread all paws out, and basically couldnt care less about the spinning world. I, need to learn (about taking it easy that is, not the sleeping posture).

Amazing how we can spent another 1hr+ at the freshwater pond, of course with lots of action from the otters, which I will leave to the next post. =P

In summary, they played hard, the rested, and they performed (or so I think).

Near noon, these otters were STILL at it! Talk about having enormous amount of energy! They must have gotten a little bored with each other, one started gnawing at the cat tail! Not sure it its for play, or for a good reason, but for sure, its something that I wouldnt imagine the authorities to be very pleased with.

Even as the afternoon crowd started to gather, these otters didnt seem bothered with the buzz! Hopefully they won't get so used to human beings that they let their guard down.

The sighting of the Estuarine Crocodule (Crocodylus porosus) must have been the happiest for, ahem, my pseudo daughter. Its her first time meeting these reptiles wild in our reserves! It was quite hilarious how she was still wondering why we were busy snapping photos away, not realising the crocodile's presence. I wouldnt blame her because the still crocodile looks just like a log in water, and part sometimes part of the mangrove plant (trunk) on land.

Being cold blooded, it is not uncommon to see them basking in the sun on a bright sunny morning. This act allows it to regulate its body temperature using the warmth from our natural source of energy.

While it is the largest of all living reptiles, the Estuarine Crocodile that can grow up to 8m in length is seen to be no longer than 3m in our reserves. Although ferocious, these crocodiles have plenty of fishes to feast on in the reserve, they do not pose as a danger to human beings, unless provoked and threatened, of course.

It was interesting to note how the crocodile changed its position when the tide was rising. It looked pretty much like a helpless soul, stranded on an island, soon to be drown! Can't quite happen, because they swim fairly well!

*HELP!*

We left the reserve for a good meal of Ramen, not sashimi at Holland Village, before continuing the day's adventure at Pasir Ris mangroves! Its been a long while since I last visited, but I realised I didnt take many photos! 

I havent seen the Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) for a long while! We must be quite luckily, because this heron is primarily more active at twilight. A locally endangered species due to loss of nesting sites and chemical (pesticide) poisoning, it lives mainly in mangroves or near water bodies with plenty of fishes.

One of the highlights of the trip has to be my second encounter with a 'crocodile'!  It was my first meeting with Bruguiera hainesii, whose Malay name means 'crocodile's eyes'.

The bashing through of the forest was all worthwhile, for the cigar-like propagule, and pretty flowers!

Although the weather didnt hold up, and we were caught in a heavy downpour towards the end of the trip, it was still a really fun outing. Definitely a great way to spent my annual leave day!

Leisure walk at SBWR - 14 March

March was really a mad month at work with all the tight deadlines, and I ended up with lots of blog debts of all the weekend trips!

Together with a few friends, we spent an entire morning on 14 March at Sungei Buloh, and were pleasantly surprised with many unexpected sightings.

The replanted Berembang (Sonneratia caseolaris) at the entrance of the Reserve has always been in the limelight as this species is very rare in Singapore. This Serembang that has grown naturally is likely to take over the spot the next time we visit the reserve. The only Sonneratia with red stamens, it also has a flat calyx. Durian lovers have the Sonneratia to thank, because of its role as a food source to sustain bats who polinates the Durian trees. The Sonneratia is especially importatnt during the times when Durian tree is not flowering.

 

The Sea Hollies are named after the unrelated Christmas plant Holly because their leaves look fairly similar. However, not all species have spiny leaves though. The Acanthus volubilis usually does not have the sharp spiny leaves and is more of a climber.

Acanthus ebracteatus, on the other hand, has very spiny leaves. The Sea Hollies adapts to the environment of high salinity by secreting excess salt through the leaves.

Less common in the reserve is the Acanthus ilicifolius with the light violet flowers.

Another great discovery is that of a fruiting Finlaysonia Ovobata along the mangrove boardwalk. Needless to say, we spent a good 15-20 mins taking many shots of the fruits.

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Living in harmony were 3 species of birds, perching on a barren tree. We have the Asian Glossy Starling (Aplonis panayensis), the Pink-necked Green Pigeon (Treron vernans) and probably Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) 排排站ing on the branches.

True to its name, the Yellow-Barred Flutterer (Rhyothemis phyllis) was fluttering over our heads really quickly, as if playing the game of catching with our cameras. It was really exasperating trying to take a sharp photo of it.

Safety in numbers, the Shield Bugs (Calliphara nobilis) gathered behind the mangrove leaves possibly for shelter. Their shiny wings make them look just like gems, albeit hidden, in the mangroves. They apparently disperses with a loud buzz when disturbed, so be sure not to do disturb them if you don't want to be startled!

After so many trips to the reserve, its only my first time meeting the Yellow-spotted Mudskipper(Periophthalmus walailakae). I guess thats because I never really took a closer look because they are supposedly one of the larger and obvious mudskippers around. This Yellow-spotted Mudskipper can tolerate long durations out of water by trapping water and oxygen to help them breathe on land. Their ability to breathe through their moist skin helps too, which is why we often see them walking into small puddles (to keep skin damp).

As the tide rose, we saw this Blue-spotted Mudskipper (Boleophthalmus boddarti) who appeared to be hanging on to a mangrove root for dear life using its muscular pectoral fins (although it can actually swim!). Unlike other mudskippers who are predators, the Blue-spotted Mudskipper grazes on the layer of algae growing on the mud instead.

I was a little disturbed by this pack of fierce dogs who were barking and fighting in the reserve. I've seen stray dogs chase after otters and essentially, they become a threat to our wildlife in the reserve. Hopefully they will be displaced at another more appropriate environment soon!

My all-time favourite Smooth Otters (Lutrogale perspicillata) also made a stopover at their usual sandbox! This was a group of 3 and 2 of them were grooming each other - quite a sweet sight!

,,,while the third one made itself really comfortable, sleeping on its back, at the same time enjoying a bask in the sun.

Was it my eyes or did the otter just winked at us? =P

One of the common reptiles in the Reserve, the Malayan Water Monitor (Varanus salvator) was sun-tanning to regulate the temperature of its blood. It has an excellent sense of smell, owing to its forked tongue that it sticks in and out of its mouth. The bite of the monitor lizard is venomous so be sure to leave them alone and not provoke them if you cross their path.

My second time seeing the Green Crested Lizard (Bronchocela cristatella), the first being more than 1 year ago! This lizard's body can turn brown when threatened. The number of Green Crested Lizard is apparently on the decline in Singapore - some said possibly due to competition from the Changeable Lizard, an introduced species.

While the Lizard was fairly cooperative in posing for photos, it was still challenging to get a clear sharp shot with the poor lighting.

The amazing fact of such nature places is that there are always new surprises on every trip, no matter how many times you have been there. I guess this is also why many of us keep visiting these havens over and over again because each experience is never quite the same!

6 Mar 2010: The many facets of our dear Otter

I just have to make a trip to Sungei Buloh after hearing narration of an encounter with the family of otters. Although I only had 1.5 hrs at the reserve (cos I overslept!) before heading to another voluntary prog, I was once again treated to the scenes of our amazing wildlife.

I headed straight to the fresh water pond and was disappointed to see the empty box, until I heard the rustling of leaves. Upon a closer look, I realised its a Smooth Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) resting in the shade and not the usual Malayan Water Monitor Lizard!

It was rise and shine for the Smooth Otter, and it spent some time grooming itself.

It paused intermittently to check the surroundings, not sure if it was because of the sound of my camera's shutter.

'eh, what's that sound?'

Fexible like a gymnast, I must say it was really thorough in its D.I.Y grooming regime....

"Oh bother, whats that sound?!" *sian look*

*yawns*

Although the sun was already high up in the sky, this lazy fellow kept dozing off in the midst of washing up.

A few minutes later, it suddenly woke up and rolled over to rub its back (by twisting its body)! Reminds me of my school days - how I will jerk awake when my mum screamed at me in the morning while I dozed off in the toilet when getting ready for school.

Few minutes later, it laid down on its belly and dozed off again.

Its almost like a ritual: doze off, wake up, lick lick lick, doze off, wake up, lick lick lick...

The Otter finally got up on all fours and started sniffing the area. I thought it was at last all ready to embark on its day of adventure...

only to realise that it was just finding another good spot to sleep! Quite a lazy bum, eh? The temperature was probably getting quite hot, as the Otter finally decided to leave the box and went for a dip in the river, and soon disappeared from sight. Though shortlived, I was still quite pleased to have seen it. =)

At the main bridge, a flock of Egrets lined up orderly by the river bank, foraging in the mudflats for their breakfast.

I was pleased to see the Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) parked at its usual hideout, and was again thrilled by the other visitors' reaction when they see the crocodile. Really, the signboard is not a bluff!

I had lunch with Christie after Read-with-me near Chomp Chomp. On my way back along Lor Chuan, I saw a large bird soaring above, before disappearing into a tree top. My first thought was 'Eagle!' and my first (dangerous) reaction was to step on the brakes. I quickly turned into a private estate, got out of the car and ran towards the tree. 

Indeed, a Changeable Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus cirrhatus) perched majestically on one of the branches. I must have looked silly to passersby with my binoculars and camera (thank goodness I have them with me!) under the scorching sun by a busy road, next to a private estate. Then again, who would have expected such wildlife to surround us in such a highly urbanised country?