New Extension of SBWR

The 31-hectare new extension to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) was opened to the public on 6 December (see a detailed description here). I decided to take a look at this new extension the next day.

I alighted from Bus 925 at the entrance to the SBWR and walked towards the new visitor centre. Some sun-bathing mudskippers on the mudflats attracted my attention.

From far, I saw a group of people taking pictures from the boardwalk. When I approached closer, I noticed that  a well-camouflaged mangrove crab was their model. 

I didn't encounter many terrestrial insects that were of interest to me. At a grass patch along the forest trail, I finally saw a orange skipper - a Potanthus species.

There were quite a number of Sumatran Sunbeam (Curetis saronis sumatrana) along the trail at different locations - but they were skittish and alert. With a bit of luck and a lot of patience, I managed to snap a few shots.

This Short Banded Sailor (Phaedyma collumella singa) came down to puddle on the ground. 

It scooted off when I approached it closer and rested on a leaf.

Not very sure of the species, I was very determined to take some shots of the undersides. I patiently followed this guy and eventually got a record shot.

At noon, I spotted a few Ciliate Blues (Anthene emolus goberus) - this pristine specimen became my model for awhile.

The weather in December was fast-changing and unpredictable. It turned cloudy in less than 30 mins, I had to head back to the Visitor Centre quickly. 

 
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year in 2015.

A Quiet Morning at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR)

I noticed that my last outing to SBWR was many years ago before I started this blog. So On 10th Aug, I decided to set off early to take a look. Perhaps due to its relatively poor "accessibility" by public transport on a Saturday morning, there were few visitors. If not for the continuously loud cicada songs, the whole place was truly deserted and devoid of wild life.

Strolling slowly and enjoying the morning breeze without taking any shot for close to an hour, I finally spotted this White Banded Awl (Hasora taminatus malayana) on a boardwalk resting beneath a leaf above my head. It was tame but not the kind of perch any photographer would like to shoot.

Not far away from the Awl, a female Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus) was flitting around the host plant Indian Curry plant (Murraya koenigii). At last, it ovipoisted a single egg on a young leaf.

Thanks John for helping me to identify this large Scoliid wasp, Megascolia procer. It was found along a quiet trail at in the northen part of Sungei Buloh, facing the sea. The green iridescent wings were rather beautiful when it was foraging on a tree trunk.

This mammoth wasp made my day as it was my first sighting. It disappeared quickly when I was trying to get closure despite the initial fear of getting close to it. 

Another good encounter was that I bumped into my ex-colleague Mr Tee who was alone, wandering around to photograph birds - he also wondered where the birds had gone to. This hover fly kept me busy for a while as I was chasing it for some in-flight shots. 

Despite the very low wild life activity for me to capture in the camera, I still enjoyed the slow walk and the unique SBWR's serenity.