tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91391222024-03-07T16:59:56.590+08:00Peiyan.Photography Ipei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.comBlogger472125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-76172950367013227012014-06-01T19:26:00.001+08:002014-06-01T19:26:17.326+08:00[Announcement] My blog's URL has changedDear readers,<br />
<br />
Please take note that my blog's URL has been changed to <a href="http://www.peiyansesarma.blogspot.sg/">www.peiyansesarma.blogspot.sg</a>.<br />
The old blog posts have already been imported over the "new" blog.<br />
Do be patient as I fix up my sidebar.<br />
<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />
PeiYan-sesarmapei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-76449641898918890512014-05-19T20:38:00.000+08:002014-05-19T22:04:48.792+08:00I'm a human climbing crab at Tanah Merah Ferry TerminalWhen I mention "Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal", what will you relate it to? Ferries, Golf, Resorts, Bintan, overseas, travelling, holiday.<br />
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Do you know that as you walked along the jetty to your ferry, you had actually just walked over a reclaimed areas that has transformed into a beautiful coral garden? Corals, where are they? They are actually right at the base of the seawall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XRBt3HvDlfQRUqXTFU57En7_lFOGt33riLg_7F4CvdSOR18n1Gs-dwFKd5zs0daek4c0BBJLrJrO05sYzdqop0IN5ydslkL-qn_-3K4Cfv756Fd3Mj1Qh_7V_Oti3N7KiBbMyQ/s1600/tm180514p22.JPG." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XRBt3HvDlfQRUqXTFU57En7_lFOGt33riLg_7F4CvdSOR18n1Gs-dwFKd5zs0daek4c0BBJLrJrO05sYzdqop0IN5ydslkL-qn_-3K4Cfv756Fd3Mj1Qh_7V_Oti3N7KiBbMyQ/s1600/tm180514p22.JPG." height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful coral garden at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal<br />
[Photo by <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/">Loh Kok Sheng</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I covered a different stretch of the coral garden on this trip to the shore near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.<br />
<a name='more'></a>In order to get close to the corals, we first have to scale down a long, damp, slippery and silty seawall to get to the intertidal area. Then the dense coral garden and extremely rocky area proved to be of a great challenge to move around. Every step and your body's centre of gravity matters as you walk.<br />
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As I got down to the coral garden and started exploring, I saw a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polychaeta/giant.htm">giant reef worm</a> out scavenging.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720577.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant reef worm</td></tr>
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Nearby, was a juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/pomacentridae/tripunctatus.htm">three-spot damselfish</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720578.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile three-spot damselfish</td></tr>
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Along the short area of coverage, I saw a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/echinoidea/urchin/diadema.htm">long-spined black sea urchin</a> (<i>Diadema sp.</i>). During my last trip here, we saw quite a number of them at the reef edge. However, I did not reach the reef edge on this trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720585.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-spined black sea urchin</td></tr>
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There was an unknown fish sitting very still on the exposed rock surface. It did not move an inch as I approach closer. It could be a species of mudskipper.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720575.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mudskipper?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now to the corals. The area I was surveying did not have much corals relative to other parts of the seawall. Kok Sheng and the rest covered the very silty but dense part of the seawall. You can read more in his blog post <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2014/05/coral-overdose-at-tanah-merah.html">here</a>. Despite the great difference in coral density at the area I surveyed, there were still a good range of coral species.<br />
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Here are the various type of corals I saw on this trip. I try my best to match the correct coral name to each photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720576.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/fungiidae/circular.htm">Circular mushroom coral</a> (<i>Fungia sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720573.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faviidae </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720579.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage coral?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720581.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faviidae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720582.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracket mushroom coral?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720586.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/poritidae/gonbig.htm">Anemone coral </a>(<i>Goniopora sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720587.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/agariciidae/pavona.htm">Pavona sp.</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720589.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/faviidae/echinopora.htm">Echinopora sp.</a></i>?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720592.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brain coral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720595.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/poritidae/gonbig.htm">Anemone coral </a>(<i>Goniopora sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720601.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/agariciidae/pavona.htm">Pavona sp.</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thankfully, we did not come across any bleaching corals but some corals have started to bleach over at Lazarus Island, thanks to Rene for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rene.ong.52/posts/10152183926586848">photo</a> updates. It is of a great concern as many corals in neighouring water have been reported bleached as water temperature starts to rise and a possible El Nino occurring soon.<br />
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On our way home, the car team had a glimpse of 3 otters swimming in the canal right next to Changi Coast Track. It was a great way to end the trip.<br />
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Since my previous trip to this shore in <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/09/marine-animals-crowd-at-tanah-merah-on.html">September 2013</a>, the shores near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal has been off limits and anyone who attempts to trespass the area will be arrested. Thankfully, we obtained permission from the relevant authorities to survey this shore.<br />
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<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b><br />
Jonathan on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152376254988119.1073741848.696593118&type=1">Facebook</a><br />
Kok Sheng - <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2014/05/coral-overdose-at-tanah-merah.html">Coral overdose at Tanah Merah</a><br />
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/05/living-reefs-and-shores-at-tanah-merah.html#.U3no_ViSzio">Living reefs and shores at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal</a>pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-21688349586066137142014-05-17T21:26:00.000+08:002014-05-19T22:04:22.704+08:00New signs of life on Changi BeachRight after a three day Leafmonkey workshop "Walking with Nature at SOTA", some of us only had a few hours of sleep before we head out for another session with nature. The only difference is that we do not see people, but marine animals on our intertidal shores. The location: Changi Beach.
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The stretch of shore we covered on this trip is full of new life. I came across so many juvenile animals such as this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/syngnathidae/seagrass.htm">seagrass pipefish</a>. You can tell how small it is by comparing the pipefish with the size of the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/ovalis.htm">spoon seagrass</a> (<i>Halophila ovalis</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720649.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile seagrass pipefish</td></tr>
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I came across another juvenile seagrass pipefish later.<br />
<a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720739.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another juvenile seagrass pipefish</td></tr>
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Of course the adult seagrass pipefish were around and there were plenty of them among the seagrass patch.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720641.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 seagrass pipefish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720730.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of 3 seagrass pipefish</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720643.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many seargrass pipefish can you see?</td></tr>
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On the blades of spoon seagrass, there were coils of eggs. I wonder which animal they belong to.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720633.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coil of eggs on spoon seagrass blade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The area we started off has a good patch of seagrass and many animals can be seen if you take a closer look.<br />
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This pink blob-like thing is not a piece of plastic but it is actually a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/cercodemas.htm">pink warty sea cucumber</a> (<i>Cercodemas anceps</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720632.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink warty sea cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are more sea cucumber to be seen on the shores of Changi Beach, such as the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/phyllophorus.htm">ball sea cucumber </a>(<i>Phyllophorus sp.</i>), <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/smooth.htm">smooth sea cucumber</a> and this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/colochirus.htm">thorny sea cucumber</a> (<i>Colochirus quadrangularis</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720640.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorny sea cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, the special sea cucumber find for this trip was spotted by Chay Hoon. It is the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/violaceus.htm">sea apple sea cucumber</a> (<i>Pseudocolochirus violaceus</i>). This is my first time seeing the sea apple sea cucumber.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720744.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea apple sea cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were many juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/goniodiscaster.htm">biscuit sea stars</a> (<i>Goniodiscaster scaber</i>) too! It is rather strange that out of 10 sea stars that I came across, 8 of them are turned over.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720638.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile biscuit sea star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was also a tiny juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/sandplain.htm">plain sand star</a> (<i>Astropecten sp.</i>). It was so tiny and cute!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720714.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny plain sand star, just slightly bigger than a spoon seagrass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720718.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny plain sand star moving on the sand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This shore is a great place to find the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/anomura/hermit/stripeorange.htm">orange-striped hermit crab</a> (<i>Clibanarius infraspinatus</i>).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720710.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-striped hermit crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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However, do not be fooled that every shell on the shore houses a hermit crab. Some shells are in fact the actual marine snail, such as this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/strombidae/canarium.htm">pearl conch or gong-gong</a> (<i>Strombus turturella</i>) as we call it. I love looking at pearl conch and seeing their eyestalks looking out of its shell. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720724.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyestalks of pearl conch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Chay Hoon spots a tiny nudibranch. Only she can find such small animals.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720731.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cratena sp.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This poor <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/alpheidae.htm">snapping shrimp</a> can out of its burrow in shallow pool and looks rather lost as it tries to figure the route back to its burrow. Snapping shrimp has poor vision and it will get lost if it wonders too far away from its burrow.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720734.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snapping shrimp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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While checking out the sea apple sea cucumber, a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/stomatopoda/spearer.htm">spearer mantis shrimp</a> (<i>Harpiosquilla sp.</i>) decided to check on me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720748.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spearer mantis shrimp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The rest of the team came across a few <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/cephalopoda/bigseagrass.htm">big-head seagrass octopus</a> on this trip. I too saw one octopus but it was acting rather strangely. It "stood" up on its tentacles, lifted its head and flopped it on the seagrass bed. The strange behaviour took place twice and on the second time, it just laid on the seagrass patch motionless for quite sometime before "recovering".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720750.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Standing"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720751.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Flopped"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is a short video clip of how the octopus "recovered".<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-US&photo_secret=3d34755678&photo_id=14203901635&hd_default=false" width="601" height="338"></embed></object>
</div>
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The last best find on this trip would be a egg mass of octopus. The eggs have tiny black dots, which are the eyes of the developing baby octopus. Through the camera, we can see that the developing baby octopus have started to develop chromatophores on their body. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155720758.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octopus eggs, with developing octopus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chromatophores are actually special units within cells that contain pigment and able to reflect light. The contraction and expansion of the chromatophores results in a change in colour, which changes the appearance of a squid or octopus.</div>
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Unfortunately, the mama octopus is nowhere to be seen protecting the delicate egg mass. I hope the baby octopus will survive and hatch soon.</div>
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For this trip, my photos are shot from my Olympus TG-1 waterproof compact camera.</div>
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<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Chay Hoon on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ilmare77/media_set?set=a.10152428240748713.1073741884.619308712&type=1">Facebook</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jonathan on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152376254988119.1073741848.696593118&type=1">Facebook</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/05/changi-crowded-with-life.html">Changi crowded with life</a></div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-77233385523406104722014-05-13T15:45:00.001+08:002014-05-13T15:45:07.984+08:00Ubin Tua Pek Kong Celebration - Day 1Yesterday was the first day of a 6 days celebratory festival of Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple (Tua Pek Kong). Everyone is welcome to this celebratory event and there is event free bumboat service provided in the evening for all 6 days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631762.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notification banner at Ubin jetty.</td></tr>
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<div>
At Changi Point Ferry Terminal, the same banner is placed outside Ubin Seafood Restaurant, next to the ferry terminal. While at the drop-off point of the ferry terminal, the schedule of events and free bumboat services is displayed.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631745.jpgg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631745.jpgg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detailed schedule and free bumboat service notification.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
If you are unable to understand the schedule in Chinese, the translated version is can be found on my blog post <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/04/12-may-17-may-2014-pulau-ubin.html">here</a>. </div>
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The free bumboat service starts exactly at 6.30pm but the usual requirement of 12 pax to leave still applies. Afterall, the bumboat operators are doing a great service for the festival.</div>
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At the ferry terminal, all the ubin bumboats looked a bit different. Each boat has a yellow flag attached to mark the celebratory event. It was rather difficult to find one flag that shows the words printed on it, but I did see one phrase which translates to "smooth sailing".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631746.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubin bumboat with flags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631750.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More ubin boats with flags.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631751.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bow shot of the boats with flags.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631749.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer look at the flag.</td></tr>
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It was a nice to watch the sunset while on my way to Pulau Ubin.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631754.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun sets while on my way to Ubin.</td></tr>
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<div>
Nearing the Ubin jetty, the passengers can see how well decorated the whole jetty is. It feels like a welcome pathway leading you to the actual location of celebration.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631758.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large flags on the jetty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631760.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The arrival and departure area of the jetty.</td></tr>
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Of course, many visitors could not resists stopping to take photos.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631764.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taking with the large flags.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631765.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From jetty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631766.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Towards jetty.</td></tr>
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I could not resist taking a panorama shot from the jetty.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155632040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155632040.jpg" height="52" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama</td></tr>
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At Ubin Town, the opera stage is all setup and ready for tonight's show. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631767.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera stage</td></tr>
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It will be Teochew opera and tonight, they will be playing 《红鬃烈马》, which translates to 'A Spirited Horse with a Red Mane'. Unfortunately, I did not quite understand what the characters are saying most of the time even though I am a Teochew. However, I did manage to find the English version of the plot and it can be found <a href="http://pages.ucsd.edu/~dkjordan/cgi-bin/chopera.pl?taleid=Opera007">here</a>.</div>
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I went to the opera backstage to have a look and it is rathe interesting.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631780.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is busy doing up their face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631782.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intense concentration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631784.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costume set for tonight's show.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631786.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stage right music station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631791.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stage left music station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631790.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping hair away from hair accessories</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631785.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage</td></tr>
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While at the temple side, visitors are coming in to offer incense to various gods and deities.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631792.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alter for Jade Emperor</td></tr>
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You can purchase coil incense at the temple, which comes attached with a slip of paper to pen your prayers, and you hang it up after writing your prayer and lit the incense. From my understanding, it is usually the Teochew temple that does the coil incense, in Singapore.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631797.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coil incense.</td></tr>
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At 7.30pm, the Teochew opera began.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631794.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening scene of the opera.</td></tr>
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There was not much audience tonight as it was only the first day of the celebration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155631868.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audience for tonight.</td></tr>
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Do notes that the whole opera lasts for about 3 hours, but you may leave whenever you want to. Stages shows during such occasions are meant for the gods and deities to watch. The number of people who actually appreciates Chinese opera are dwindling and so is the number of people practicing Chinese opera. In years to come, Singapore may end up losing the Chinese opera culture, which I think is sad with all the elaborate costumes, props and stage setting.<br />
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More photos of the opera.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stage "curtain" for during a change of scene.</td></tr>
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I did not even notice the drawings on the panels until towards the end of the play. It is actually a drawing of the Ubin jetty and its surrounding.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubin jetty drawing.</td></tr>
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It is an interesting experience to witness how temple festival is celebrated on Pulau Ubin. </div>
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If you are interested, there is still 4 nights left to visit and watch the Teochew opera while the last night will be the highlight of the celebration with getai (live hosted show with lots of singing).</div>
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The best part about operas and getai on Ubin, who cares about noise restrictions at night on Ubin.</div>
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-63699726966914487702014-05-07T20:52:00.006+08:002014-05-07T20:58:54.603+08:00The beauty of Pulau HantuMany people will relate '<i>Hantu</i>' as the Malay word for ghost and hence the island Pulau Hantu is literally referred to as "<i>Ghost Island"</i>. The island is actually far from the spooky tales and myths of restless spirits or ghosts.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cpaPt1XxWao7LNmk5xi1AZIAcb_zImYALJwtwh1edV6RPU0YtjArZhygwOQoUleKDPhOJ9XwpTbSJDnr_KwDrngpOEprt47oK8GePDTEv4EdZDvukVRAxtjzcL1Bn592F5DDtA/s1600/Hantu+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cpaPt1XxWao7LNmk5xi1AZIAcb_zImYALJwtwh1edV6RPU0YtjArZhygwOQoUleKDPhOJ9XwpTbSJDnr_KwDrngpOEprt47oK8GePDTEv4EdZDvukVRAxtjzcL1Bn592F5DDtA/s1600/Hantu+map.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulau Hantu looks tiny compared to its refinery neighbour, Pulau Bukom.<br />
Image from Google earth.</td></tr>
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The whole of Pulau Hantu is formed by two separate "Hantu" islets - <i>Hantu Besar</i> (Big Ghost) and <i>Hantu Kechil</i> (Little Ghost).<br />
<a name='more'></a>Legend has it that the two islands were formed as two Malay warriors died here while having a fierce battle at sea, with one warrior of smaller size than the other. Their battle was interfered by the sea spirit, whose action was felt strongly against by the gods. Thus, the sea spirit transformed the two warriors into islets so that their spirits can continue to live on them.<br />
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The other version about Pulau Hantu that I had heard of is about the community of fishing owls living on this island where it used to be a fishing village. The Malays refer owl as Burung Hantu. Pulau Hantu is now under the management of Southern Islands Development of <a href="http://www.sentosa.gov.sg/">Sentosa Development Corporation</a>.<br />
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There are no public ferry servicing Pulau Hantu so the only way to get to the island is to negotiate and arrange for ferry service from one of the ferry companies located at West Coast Pier.<br />
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This morning, we were blessed with great sunrise from the ferry we were on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477563.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the way to Pulau Hantu.</td></tr>
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Once arrival, its off to check out the reefy northern part of the lagoon. A few of us head straight for lagoon opening while the rest checked out the area nearest to the jetty first.<br />
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Right outside the lagoon, there was a healthy colony of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/acroporidae/acropora.htm">acropora corals</a> (<i>Acropora sp.</i>)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477565.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acropora coral</td></tr>
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There were many <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/pilumnidae/pilumnus.htm">hairy crabs</a> (<i>Pilumnus sp.</i>) heading back to their hiding crevices after foraging on the reef.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477575.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy crab</td></tr>
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The shallow waters along the reef was pretty clear today and there was a number of the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/crinoidea/crinoidea.htm">feather stars</a> to be seen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477572.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather star 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477574.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather star 2</td></tr>
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The highlight for me was locating the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/bivalvia/tridacnidae/squamosa.htm">fluted giant clam</a> (<i>Tridacna squamosa</i>) Kok Sheng showed me during our previous trip here about a year ago. The others who managed to find this clam were too excited about its progress. Here is the image of the giant clam, taken 1 year ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/150117806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/150117806.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluted giant clam, taken in May 2013</td></tr>
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Here is the image of the same giant clam, taken on this trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477567.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same fluted giant clam, taken on this trip</td></tr>
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Wow! The giant clam has grown so much over the period of one year. Mei Lin, who is researching about giant clam, is going to be so happy.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/enhalus.htm">tape seagrass</a> (<i>Enhalus acoroides</i>) looks good in the lagoon and some even had fruits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477577.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit of tape seagrass</td></tr>
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I did not spend much time checking out the lagoon and reef as I needed to factor in some time to do aerial documentation of Pulau Hantu.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Po8Thg2MIdk" width="640"></iframe>
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Alas, in all things good about Pulau Hantu, an abandoned driftnet was spotted closer to the lagoon opening during an guided intertidal walk last week. Read more on my previous post <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/04/quiet-but-great-day-guiding-at-pulau.html">here</a>.<br />
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So part of today's trip is to help remove the driftnet towards the end of the trip. While checking the driftnet, Nicole spotted a crab tangled in the net. The poor crab has lost both pincers and quite a number of its legs when we found it. The team came across more animals trapped in the driftnet later. Luckily, we came prepared with scissors to free tangled animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155477564.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freeing the crab</td></tr>
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I did not take much photos of the driftnet removal process. Instead, I documented it from the drone.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JOIlr2TQ-u0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Unfortunately, it was rather upsetting that the next morning, new driftnets were seen to be laid at the opening of the lagoon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10257380_10152340249789000_258190939369505308_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10257380_10152340249789000_258190939369505308_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two fishermen with a blue dinghy laying out the driftnet. <br />Another net has already been laid further back.</td></tr>
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Read more about the driftnet removal on <a href="http://projectdriftnet.blogspot.sg/2014/05/100m-abandoned-driftnet-at-pulau-hantu.html">Project Driftnet's</a> blog post.<br />
It was a great day of work on the intertidal shore of Pulau Hantu.<br />
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The next morning, I joined a group of divers in exploring the subtidal area of Pulau Hantu. We had a great time with many pretty nudibranch, anemones, flatworms, sea stars, corals and many other marine animals. Who says Singapore has no marine life?<br />
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Here are some photos taken by me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10175945_10152340786084000_5480300038960985909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10175945_10152340786084000_5480300038960985909_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volcano nudibranch (<i>Hypselodoris krakatoa</i>)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10276981_10152340786509000_5833150670122146109_n.jpg." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10276981_10152340786509000_5833150670122146109_n.jpg." width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hypselodoris infucata</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/1781954_10152340786859000_2922221898730983632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/1781954_10152340786859000_2922221898730983632_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small icon seastar</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10308731_10152340787019000_6738015945629765405_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10308731_10152340787019000_6738015945629765405_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anemone?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10346644_10152340787704000_5774694544295816469_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10346644_10152340787704000_5774694544295816469_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming crab</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10339643_10152340787749000_6109776349740286466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10339643_10152340787749000_6109776349740286466_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave coral</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1794537_10152340787819000_7267622123502806194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/1794537_10152340787819000_7267622123502806194_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Chromodoris mandapamensis</i></td></tr>
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This is my first time seeing the blue-spot nudibranch (<i>Dendrodoris krusensternii</i>) in such a pretty form. Usually when we see the animal during our intertidal trips, the animal's features do not show up so nicely as compared to being submerged. It is a pretty fast mover too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10245540_10152340787919000_5610382235628210909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10245540_10152340787919000_5610382235628210909_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-spot nudibranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10273453_10152340788264000_3285837409037038176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1.0-9/10273453_10152340788264000_3285837409037038176_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandperch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10314736_10152340788419000_7760948604965753002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1.0-9/10314736_10152340788419000_7760948604965753002_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10307389_10152340788449000_1506869442294180288_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10307389_10152340788449000_1506869442294180288_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More coral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a great weekend exploring different parts of Pulau Hantu.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ivan.kwan/media_set?set=a.10152010625201179.1073741835.602806178&type=1">Ivan</a> on Facebook<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.681922931867408.1073741870.133291903397183&type=1">Rene</a> on Facebook<br />
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/05/checking-up-on-beautiful-pulau-hantu.html#.U2opX62Szio">Checking up on beautiful Pulau Hantu</a>pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-80506765443071901622014-05-01T17:37:00.000+08:002014-05-01T18:28:23.819+08:00Drone-ing Kusu IslandLocated on one of Singapore's southern islands is this beautiful jetty and Chinese temple.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454548.jpg" height="83" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic view of the jetty</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455122.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Temple</td></tr>
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<div>
Where am I?<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
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This is Kusu Island, also known to many people as Turtle Island. Legend has it that a magical sea turtle turned itself into an island to save two shipwrecked sailors. Here is a map view of Kusu Island from Google Earth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455193.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Kusu Island from Google Earth.</td></tr>
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In front of the temple is a large pool with a number of sea turtles. You can see the sea turtles when the water level in the pool is shallow. (Unfortunately, I feel rather sad seeing them swim in such shallow waters.) One of them even have a remora fish attached onto its shell.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454549.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea turtle with a remora fish attached on it shell.</td></tr>
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<div>
The objective of coming to Kusu Island was not to see the turtles but to check on the intertidal shore. Earlier this year, the main lagoon on Kusu Island was hit with oil spill as a result of a tanker collision nearby. You can read more about the oil spill check on Kusu Island <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/01/kusu-island-oiled.html">here</a>. </div>
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Though the shore is rather quiet after the passing short Sumatra shows, there were still interesting animals to be seen.</div>
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The<span style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"> </span><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/anaspidae/extraordinaria.htm">extraordinary sea hare</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #383838; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">(</span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">Aplysia extraordinaria</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">) looks to be in a much better appearance as compared to the oil spill incident. I only came across one sea hare of them but I am sure the rest saw a few of them.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454551.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extraordinary sea hare</td></tr>
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<div>
The special find for me on this trip would be the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/callionymidae/dactylopus.htm">kuiter's dragonet</a> (<i>Dactylopus kuiteri</i>). It was showing us its special flag-like large dorsal fin the whole time. I love the lip colour of this fish.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454558.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuiter's dragonet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454552.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kuiter's dragonet, from the tail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The other interesting fact about the kuiter's dragonet is that it has a little "feet" on each side of its body. Actually that is its detached first ray from the rest of its pelvic fins. If you look closely at the first image of the fish, you can actually see the first ray. It kind of help the fish to "walk" on the substrate, from observation, when it is too lazy to swim.</div>
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Easy confused with the kuiter's dragonet would be the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/pegasidae/volitans.htm">slender seamoth</a> (<i>Pegasus volitans</i>) that was found just a few steps from the dragonet. Both fish like to spread open their pelvic fins.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454566.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slender sea moth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Nearby, Rene found a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/cassidae/glaucum.htm">grey bonnet snail</a> (<i>Phalium glaucum</i>) hiding in a crevice. Some of the members on today's trip were quite puzzled as to how the bonnet snail is able to survive on this shore as it feeds on sand dollars. Perhaps there are sea urchins available as its alternative source of food? However, after some thought, it seems possible to find grey bonnet snail here since the snail has been seen at nearby Seringat-Kias.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454563.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey bonnet snail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454561.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey bonnet snail, side view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454562.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey bonnet snail, close up of animal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The other interesting find for me was a well camouflaged sole fish in accompanying the kuiter's dragonet. I only spotted the fish when it moved and it was very well covered with sand. I think it is a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/soleidae/orientalis.htm">juvenile oriental sole fish</a> (<i>Brachirus orientalis</i>).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454564.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile oriental sole fish?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454565.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the sole fish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Another amazing snail was a cowrie found by Marcus.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454582.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowrie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454583.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowrie, underside</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454584.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowrie, close up of the animal</td></tr>
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<div>
An octopus sneakily pretends to be part of the reef, but not quite mastered the technique as it moved in front of my eyes.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454581.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Octopus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The only flatworm we saw today was the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/uniarborensis.htm">dawn flatworm</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454579.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
When the sun rose, it was time to fly my drone. I planned to capture aerial footages of as many shores as I can. </div>
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While the drone was preparing to take off, it made friends with the common seastar.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/p526x296/10006936_10152379003733158_2403082942070357729_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/p526x296/10006936_10152379003733158_2403082942070357729_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Drone with a common seastar.<br />
[Photo by Kok Sheng on his FB]</td></tr>
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Here is an aerial photo at the mouth of the lagoon, showing the 'Danger' sign.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155455121.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Danger' sign at the mouth of the lagoon.</td></tr>
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<strike>The video footage is undergoing some processing and uploading. It will be embedded on this post once the video has been uploaded on YouTube.</strike></div>
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Update: The video is ready for viewing!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8VfHvOZG424" width="640"></iframe>
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Here's two other panoramic images from my phone.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454547.jpg" height="88" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic view of the main lagoon.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/155454546.jpg" height="98" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic view of the temp and turtle pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.680815488644819.1073741869.133291903397183&type=1">Rene</a> on her Facebook</div>
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Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/05/how-is-kusu-island-doing.html#.U2IN-62Szio">How is Kusu Island doing?</a></div>
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-76771962690516051272014-04-29T21:01:00.001+08:002014-05-13T14:24:57.331+08:0012 May - 17 May 2014: Pulau Ubin Celebrates the Tua Pek Kong's birthdayHave you ever wondered what this interesting structure (left, photo below) at Ubin town is used for?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbOoIp_Y4dPWu5MYfa9DFGBOvQRYg73Fgw8M2ZUKkMye42pwDEF4tOavbzfl4wkp7KbdoujO_QAur8drIEHOwom_tSsIKosRwEjXNHqcZC-pS7b87KLWPY8UqQret2XoKKcJB8Q/s1600/4007543147_b75e8c41e7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFbOoIp_Y4dPWu5MYfa9DFGBOvQRYg73Fgw8M2ZUKkMye42pwDEF4tOavbzfl4wkp7KbdoujO_QAur8drIEHOwom_tSsIKosRwEjXNHqcZC-pS7b87KLWPY8UqQret2XoKKcJB8Q/s1600/4007543147_b75e8c41e7_o.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stage seen at Ubin town.<br />
[Photo by WildSingapore]</td></tr>
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From 12 May to 17 May 2014, this stage will be transformed into a wayang (chinese opera) performance stage, showing Teochew opera.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It is the birthday celebration of the Tua Pek Kong (or Tu Di Gong/ Da Bo Gong). The Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple has made arrangement for a grand celebrations of the deity's birthday with rituals, performances and even Getai (live stage) performance on the last night.<br />
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*Note* Another Taoist deity is too named Tu Di Gong, but they are different persons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwqHE-6IK8ozf4TPUVfE8baYo2TNVb5cTErMPAtYSDnX0SqwXnE_ddVx4OTa7c2-lLkEjo_m7MB8E5yLexchj0biuupD7Zw9sQL51j-Cghoac_guoQrBVav6ZQCPKcmfFLOcxJg/s1600/140427ubins07524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwqHE-6IK8ozf4TPUVfE8baYo2TNVb5cTErMPAtYSDnX0SqwXnE_ddVx4OTa7c2-lLkEjo_m7MB8E5yLexchj0biuupD7Zw9sQL51j-Cghoac_guoQrBVav6ZQCPKcmfFLOcxJg/s1600/140427ubins07524.JPG" height="400" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebration posters seen everywhere on Ubin and even on bumboats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The better news is that bumboat services to and from Pulau Ubin will be <b><u><span style="color: red;">FREE</span></u></b> in the evening till night during this festive period.<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="color: blue;">More information about FREE evening bumboat service</span></u></b><br />
From 12 May to 17 May 2014<br />
<br />
Changi Jetty to Ubin Jetty: 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm<br />
Ubin Jetty to Changi Jetty: 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm<br />
<br />
Look out for the nicely decorated Ubin jetty that welcomes all visitors and worshipper to this joyous occasion on Pulau Ubin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbMXGuCMqK1mEudnEMvwKhhyphenhyphenQxFn5eJhyphenhyphengQWtBxxP5dNP92Hbw4WKJtmkQXprU4RAsjXGg9BUQ1vNeYSEnWuLLLAvILboqLeKfTPnc3FLJs3dZxNCK2ob3kqQsBVULQabz6gBow/s400/IMG_4254m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbMXGuCMqK1mEudnEMvwKhhyphenhyphenQxFn5eJhyphenhyphengQWtBxxP5dNP92Hbw4WKJtmkQXprU4RAsjXGg9BUQ1vNeYSEnWuLLLAvILboqLeKfTPnc3FLJs3dZxNCK2ob3kqQsBVULQabz6gBow/s400/IMG_4254m6.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ubin jetty decoration, May 2010.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did I mention that <b><span style="color: red;">fortune ang bao</span></b> (red packets) will be given away to? It is while stock last!<br />
<br />
Celebration rituals will begin in the mornings of 12 May and 13 May with Teochew opera performances every evening. This is one of the very few occasions where the probably-the-last wayang stage is transformed into a beautiful opera stage, mainly to entertain the gods and deities. However many people and tourists have been attracted to Pulau Ubin during these festivals to witness the dying Chinese opera culture.<br />
<br />
On 17 May, the last night, the Teochew opera will perform in the morning at 10.00 am while the evening performance will be replaced with exciting live stage song singing show known as Getai. I am sure this climate performance in celebration of the Chinese earth god's birthday will be a great hit. So be sure to make a trip down to experience it.<br />
<br />
If you are interested the following is a rough program guide for each day (translated to best ability):<br />
<b><u><span style="color: blue;">Celebration schedule</span></u></b><br />
12 May<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10am - Welcoming the arrival of Da Bo Gong ritual</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1pm - Praying rituals begins</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7pm - Luck/ Fortune enhancing rituals</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7pm - Teochew Opera Performance</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-4797a41e-ad8e-0339-1d83-8af42f5aaebe"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10pm - Welcoming the arrival of Jade Emperor ritual</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13 May</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10am - Congregation of worshippers worship ritual</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1pm - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lion and dragon dance celebratory performance </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2.30pm - Giving away of Altar blessed charms, while stock last.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 3.30 pm - Departure of Jade Emperor ritual</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7pm - Teochew Opera Performance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 7.30pm - Bridge crossing ceremony</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-4797a41e-ad8f-0356-3f8a-76d84e018fdf"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8pm - Birthday greetings by Wei Tuo Fa Gong Temple and Hell Gods of Wealth (Tua Li Ya Pek)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14 May to 16 May</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4797a41e-ad8f-c4ae-9978-a36f57e0d9d7"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 7pm - Teochew Opera Performance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17 May</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10am - Teochew Opera Performance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 6.45pm - Pulau Ubin Fo Shan Ting Da Bo Gong Temple’s Night! + </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getai Performance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4797a41e-ad90-359a-71d9-35d4655112ea"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 10.30pm - Departure of Da Bo Gong ritual</span></div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-89335957842057985682014-04-20T21:49:00.001+08:002014-05-01T16:40:33.278+08:00Quiet but great day guiding at Pulau HantuIt was a quiet day on the intertidal shore at Pulau Hantu. Despite that we still managed to find interesting stuff for the youths of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JSCCYEC">Jurong Spring Youth Club</a>. I was helping <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.sg/">The Hantu Bloggers</a> as a guide.<br />
<br />
Here's a group photo of the youth participants with the four guides. Joining us on the trip is Minister of State Desmond Lee.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10270791_10152929020669368_3356228781557197352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10270791_10152929020669368_3356228781557197352_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo<br />
[Photo by MOS Desmond Lee on his Facebook]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a>It was my first time landing on Pulau Hantu via the southern jetty. The southern jetty leads to the bigger island that makes up Pulau Hantu and it is equipped with toilet. Immediately, many participants could identify the Sentosa logo on the information panel. Yes, Pulau Hantu is one of the many southern islands managed by Sentosa Corporation Development.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GB7ToZvsfzc/U1NfVT6p4oI/AAAAAAAAEAA/SfXIq80jnRM/w816-h612-no/20140420_080627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GB7ToZvsfzc/U1NfVT6p4oI/AAAAAAAAEAA/SfXIq80jnRM/w816-h612-no/20140420_080627.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Information panel by Sentosa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, I took very little photos of the shore as I was talking and guiding most of the time. Nonetheless, I still managed to get some images of the critters my group saw.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UbTMpfFwpYQvOn1BLssYgcgMxOrrqxrOeTKlPFChkCeSFVwbLhXxyERaLBdfl0Qn1ZviDB0F_eznIfoWxw0XLXQN0UDs0FnTS1tKCRsSMWFrb-2U5qj6oBinaln43o66XItchg/s1600/P4203819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UbTMpfFwpYQvOn1BLssYgcgMxOrrqxrOeTKlPFChkCeSFVwbLhXxyERaLBdfl0Qn1ZviDB0F_eznIfoWxw0XLXQN0UDs0FnTS1tKCRsSMWFrb-2U5qj6oBinaln43o66XItchg/s1600/P4203819.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea slug, juvenile - <i>Jorunna funebris</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was quite amazing that my group members found the adult sea slug after showing them the juvenile sea slug.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd2CW2MbpAOUhKr6GoXi7dTQOBw_7TdGLvtQ1CFsGAdDfu3Xn5F8pVH91Uf7mwCqh7t9wpPm7hc1ri9zSQEOzIH9AVGICwzsVvw-AmXhkX6Gy06GMg8WuIUrmP4fhkeW657ZiBg/s1600/P4203827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd2CW2MbpAOUhKr6GoXi7dTQOBw_7TdGLvtQ1CFsGAdDfu3Xn5F8pVH91Uf7mwCqh7t9wpPm7hc1ri9zSQEOzIH9AVGICwzsVvw-AmXhkX6Gy06GMg8WuIUrmP4fhkeW657ZiBg/s1600/P4203827.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea slug, adult - <i>Jorunna funebris</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I came across a sea cucumber which I have yet to encounter before. It is the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/lecanora.htm">white-rumped sea cucmber</a> (<i>Actinopyga lecanora</i>) .<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNv5m0xK9MjtcD8a7q4cZm16rGSnUPTxjBWhMBlo7F4ab8hyphenhyphenSlnbVqvkqhobDdRXjMnhHJTksy77HZh9IdizUfydSMKs6BmKPKGxYJjwylizXl0gkzycBL4IBYR97FKqSmFu7Mg/s1600/P4203822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNv5m0xK9MjtcD8a7q4cZm16rGSnUPTxjBWhMBlo7F4ab8hyphenhyphenSlnbVqvkqhobDdRXjMnhHJTksy77HZh9IdizUfydSMKs6BmKPKGxYJjwylizXl0gkzycBL4IBYR97FKqSmFu7Mg/s1600/P4203822.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size of the sea cucumber while it was trying to elongate itself.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHN1xIGtZv4jT2tmRJ89cPRvxHUH1rgQnw3NT46e9xPpWJ2srnixYsnn8DdiH1LJO0KNrx0dW5mo2zgEjt2MSNHjfdd9UD_MGRTFtrEjG-aDHGxDg4GQjau3Xov_7n_i8INn3PQ/s1600/P4203820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHN1xIGtZv4jT2tmRJ89cPRvxHUH1rgQnw3NT46e9xPpWJ2srnixYsnn8DdiH1LJO0KNrx0dW5mo2zgEjt2MSNHjfdd9UD_MGRTFtrEjG-aDHGxDg4GQjau3Xov_7n_i8INn3PQ/s1600/P4203820.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size of the sea cucumber when it was spotted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other groups saw a tiny frogfish, many snake eels and interesting critters. We did not manage to come across any seahorse on this trip.<br />
<br />
Towards the end of the walk, the dark approaching clouds threatened us to end the intertidal walk slightly earlier. We managed to get a group photo of my group before we left the shore.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1asM-8mrElevoKFteyGYTyZuDiytTYaV-ykCkmIlyrE9Dt2o2jwUk8cdk2FFtccmljWnxVVplqBC3j8xWeMKUiXqrtp9KKYQpBpaQhpcK1vFtExUbXu4nybZhEv4u6aFTMvzHA/s1600/P4203830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1asM-8mrElevoKFteyGYTyZuDiytTYaV-ykCkmIlyrE9Dt2o2jwUk8cdk2FFtccmljWnxVVplqBC3j8xWeMKUiXqrtp9KKYQpBpaQhpcK1vFtExUbXu4nybZhEv4u6aFTMvzHA/s1600/P4203830.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo of my group.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During this trip, the youth club took this opportunity to present Edusave awards to some of the participants. It is rather interesting that Jurong Spring Community Centre, together with MOS Desmond Lee, have decided to present this academic and character excellence recognition at various events. From kayaking, bowling, to community outreach events and also this environmental shore trip. Here is one of the awardees being presented the award at Pulau Hantu.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10151245_631962126881248_6195232753081292394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/10151245_631962126881248_6195232753081292394_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edusave award presentation on Pulau Hatu<br />
[Photo by Jurong Spring Youth Club on their Facebook page]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alas, there was a driftnet laid in the middle of the big lagoon. It looks abandoned, judging from the amount of algae that has accumulated. The intertidal shore team will be back again two weeks later and we will attempt to haul the whole net out of the shore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8zMWDqCpFI/U1Nf8XBAd9I/AAAAAAAAEAY/igI1cSddVzU/w816-h612-no/20140420_095640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s8zMWDqCpFI/U1Nf8XBAd9I/AAAAAAAAEAY/igI1cSddVzU/w816-h612-no/20140420_095640.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driftnet on the shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfWv4pWeJgg/U1NglYJAY_I/AAAAAAAAEAw/P-FMLxPx-ps/w459-h612-no/20140420_095655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfWv4pWeJgg/U1NglYJAY_I/AAAAAAAAEAw/P-FMLxPx-ps/w459-h612-no/20140420_095655.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right stretch of the driftnet on the shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a great trip despite my cold, which was suppressed by non-drowsy decongestants. At the same time, another team was out doing a trip at the Sisters' Island.<br />
<br />
You can read more at Ria's blog post: <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/04/our-special-sisters-islands.html#.U1PP-OaSzio">Our Special Sisters Islands</a>.<br />
<br />pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-88297526568603318702014-02-02T13:00:00.000+08:002014-02-02T23:44:51.473+08:00Northern Beauty of SemakauIt was my first time checking the northern reef of Semakau. It was also the team's first time covering the whole reef of Semakau through a team effort.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB6QKSxw26oqXvWkOY8ZKAPG9vuZfmLEroveauMUR43GoDhkZnaQAbTVworOcjOKg1NCxKYWIM8x-tsu0scEcJhRe5MDwLZ2LiKingXscj0HHewdFsvn7He4dJOr7CTvieapmMg/s1600/Semakau+reef+earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGB6QKSxw26oqXvWkOY8ZKAPG9vuZfmLEroveauMUR43GoDhkZnaQAbTVworOcjOKg1NCxKYWIM8x-tsu0scEcJhRe5MDwLZ2LiKingXscj0HHewdFsvn7He4dJOr7CTvieapmMg/s1600/Semakau+reef+earth.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink line marks the reef coverage the team covered on this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another team check the submerged reef next to Semakau's western reef, Terumbu Raya.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The purpose of this trip was to assess the impact of oil spill in this area. Read more about the findings <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/02/oil-spill-reaches-semakau-landfill.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The ground at northern reef is a softer than the western reef. There were certain parts where it can get rather soft, something which I have yet to be comfortable with while carrying my camera gears.<br />
<br />
Despite facing oil refineries of Pulau Bukom, the northern tip of Semakau reef is beautiful with corals and many other animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331700.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large coral structures with oil refineries in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some animals were rather aggressive. This is the first time a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/pilumnidae/pilumnus.htm">hairy crab</a> (<i>Pilummus sp.</i>) raised its pincers at me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331474.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy crab raising its pincers at me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/portunidae/portunidae.htm">swimming crab</a> nearby decided to do the same to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331476.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming crab raising its pincers at me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then came the showdown at Semakau between a pair of swimming crab. It could be a male and a female crab with the male trying to get the female to mate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331478.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighting swimming crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took a video of this "shore fight".<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Dm5MonihYdc" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
Not all animals were aggressive.<br />
This <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/xanthidae/floridus.htm">floral egg crab</a> (<i>Atergatis floridus</i>) seems to be chilling away on the reef but it got rather annoyed when I disturbed it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331481.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral egg crab, overview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331483.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral egg crab, underside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331486.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral egg crab, showing the mouth part</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Neither was this juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/dasyatidae/lymma.htm">blue-spotted fantail ray</a> (<i>Taeniura lymma</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331707.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-spotted fantail ray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331480.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the ray.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nor this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/xanthidae/integerrimus.htm">red egg crab</a> (<i>Atergatis integerrimus</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331509.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red egg crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were signs of new life, among the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/phaeophyta/sargassum.htm">sargassum seaweed</a> (<i>Sargassum sp.</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331479.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squid eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were many <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/magnifica.htm">magnificent anemones</a> (<i>Heteractis magnifica</i>) on the northern reef and a number of them were hosting the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/pomacentridae/ocellaris.htm">false clown anemonefish</a> (<i>Amphiprion ocellaris</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331490.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331491.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stranded on very shallow water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331494.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331513.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stranded outside its anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331515.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peek-a-boo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I only came across one flatworm, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/uniarborensis.htm">dawn flatworm</a> (<i>Pseduobiceros uniarborensis</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331495.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Could this be the fruit of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/ovalis.htm">spoon seagrass</a> (<i>Halpohila ovalis</i>)?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331504.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit of spoon seagrass?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331502.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love to look at the eyes of conch snails, like this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/strombidae/canarium.htm">pearl conch</a> (<i>Strombus turturella</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331505.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyes of pearl conch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Towards the end of the trip, I came across a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/horrens.htm">durian sea cucumber</a> (<i>Stichopus horrens</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331731.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durian sea cucumber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And a small <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/cephalopoda/reefoctopus.htm">reef octopus</a> swam by as I was leaving the reef. I was frightened for a short moment as I thought I saw blue rings on the octopus. I must be still thinking about the blue-ring octopus I saw diving in Indonesia last year. The size and texture does feels like a blue-ring octopus.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331520.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reef octopus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The southern shores never fails to amaze me. Even seeing the false clown anemonefish makes me happy and excited.<br />
<br />
Posts by others:<br />
Kok Sheng - <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2014/02/oil-spill-check-at-northern-semakau.html">Oil spill check at Northern Semakau</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.678139272237468.1073741831.109257872458947&type=1">Singapore Reef Watch</a> on Facebook.<br />
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-68763291822527347572014-02-01T23:30:00.000+08:002014-02-04T16:31:09.554+08:00Oil spill reaches Pulau SemakauOn 29 January 2014, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) released a <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140129.xml">media statement </a>about a collision between the departing Hong Kong-flagged chemical tanker, "Lime Galaxy" and the arriving China-flagged containership, "Feihe" in the evening at about 2.7 km, south of Jurong Island.<br />
<br />
The media statement reported that "Feihe" sustained damages on her bunker tanks, resulting in some spillage of bunker fuel. Oil spill response companies were activated to support in the clean up efforts.<br />
<br />
It is not revealed the exact location of the collision as Jurong Island is rather large but the image below shows the possible locations, mapped out by Ria Tan (wildsingapore).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLrNnqt4AJCJOMp2F3l96yukmXnxUSiQlqA045TBpKV0nQ2ufPM4fFNAFt6ZxJWNuoxwrCldcuRBHZSKuT9nD24nCyHCzT8cwgLHryk9l4v_SPHJKVX0XNbjcUoEvSuafi9z7fQ/s1600/collision2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLrNnqt4AJCJOMp2F3l96yukmXnxUSiQlqA045TBpKV0nQ2ufPM4fFNAFt6ZxJWNuoxwrCldcuRBHZSKuT9nD24nCyHCzT8cwgLHryk9l4v_SPHJKVX0XNbjcUoEvSuafi9z7fQ/s1600/collision2.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible locations of the collision, mapped by Ria Tan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The following day, 30 January 2014, MPA released another update about the collision: <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130.xml">Collision between Lime Galaxy and Feihe - update 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130.xml"></a><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It just so happened that within 12 hours, <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130a.xml">another collision</a> took place 4 km off Marina South.<br />
<br />
Within short time frame of alerting friends about the oil spillage from the two collisions through social media, we have received news from friends that the oil spills had hit various locations in the southern islands. Locations such as Pulau Hantu, Pulau Semakau, Kusu Island and St. John's Island were surfaced.<br />
<br />
My post about the oil spill situation at Kusu Island can be found <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/01/kusu-island-oiled.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
After the Kusu Island check, the few of us made a last minute decision to change the location for today's fieldtrip. The oil spill situation was much more important so other shores can still wait.<br />
<br />
We split up into two groups. One group heading for Pulau Semakau and the second group heading for Terumbu Raya, a submerged reef right next to the impact zone of Semakau.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NwX5wzCNfbT1beX3Pwe2A7oxe89P6aa7mznFT_RkRfEQylOG4Adf43yHh4ieABzXDDdK-B-ylpc_CziiYWluSAqam9ovbp5x_iAWmbH2BIEXkEhVaCvfMPGw3WBPgAwhODe6tg/s1600/Semakau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NwX5wzCNfbT1beX3Pwe2A7oxe89P6aa7mznFT_RkRfEQylOG4Adf43yHh4ieABzXDDdK-B-ylpc_CziiYWluSAqam9ovbp5x_iAWmbH2BIEXkEhVaCvfMPGw3WBPgAwhODe6tg/s1600/Semakau.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of Terumbu Raya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The good is that the Terumbu Raya team came back with good news of no signs of oil spill reaching the submerged reef and one of them even had three sightings of turtle surfacing.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, the Semakau team had some not so good news from the northern mangrove and reef patch. There were oil sheen and oil slicks noticed.<br />
<br />
Assessing the damaged done on the reef patch to the mangroves, the mangroves were reported to be hit worst.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t1e3PsTAltEAescqXOZin-N6qnQMndCXYnGln7wqC8mPf6t4qlokFZKGfoNppDxDOxnVhA6PhIB0gL0jgtdYLBgaAknMgc2X7B-hm233roPufla9Ok4_f2mISA6uABZtDeY0vg/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t1e3PsTAltEAescqXOZin-N6qnQMndCXYnGln7wqC8mPf6t4qlokFZKGfoNppDxDOxnVhA6PhIB0gL0jgtdYLBgaAknMgc2X7B-hm233roPufla9Ok4_f2mISA6uABZtDeY0vg/s1600/Untitled.png" height="236" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern mangrove and reef area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along the red line, where the line of mangrove stops, was badly covered with oil. There was not enough time to do a comprehensive survey of the area coverage of mangrove trees being hit by the bunker oil.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3nUkBMtMu29YHiOJoEUtswJAMzito9NkgTTHACOCI3PNjEinUZ7DVfbdU3mTW0vT5bipFpNV9nMRkIHdexMjTjZigKZ6vVboDU5gsSecfaYwDf1bnnadzixdOV-Ns4JhyeNOA/s1600/P2010313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T3nUkBMtMu29YHiOJoEUtswJAMzito9NkgTTHACOCI3PNjEinUZ7DVfbdU3mTW0vT5bipFpNV9nMRkIHdexMjTjZigKZ6vVboDU5gsSecfaYwDf1bnnadzixdOV-Ns4JhyeNOA/s1600/P2010313.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil marks on the sand, right in front of the mangrove line. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along the mangrove line, large amount of dying <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/phaeophyta/sargassum.htm">sargassum seaweed</a> (<i>Sargassum sp.</i>) gathers on the shore as the sargassum season comes to an end. The moist look on the sargassum were not seawater but oil. The large clusters of sargassum seaweed were trapping oil.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0lV6OJ4wbpWxupSAI4q1xUgRl-3vCGJHpJZUluDvTtw_D1SXzz5Ajue8NKRk2-uh0Ejuu_OtDLtPnGVtTzmRZ3SGMCRyZaIlle33lAgeOYsR_J9gew3CCgO8JdKOTkEiZIqdMw/s1600/P2010314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0lV6OJ4wbpWxupSAI4q1xUgRl-3vCGJHpJZUluDvTtw_D1SXzz5Ajue8NKRk2-uh0Ejuu_OtDLtPnGVtTzmRZ3SGMCRyZaIlle33lAgeOYsR_J9gew3CCgO8JdKOTkEiZIqdMw/s1600/P2010314.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil on sargassum seaweed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5raa08_oK4Mul7lHPQbwd85WWNmfiSWDKpHo7u7t4MONS3HWPjQBU_MK7mXCBZGErCjzSxNNmClbWaCWKb_7wxXe5jJdu3FWGaB7O956fOOodMkfyoThebHt2GtJtxwmyxxU_MQ/s1600/P2010316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5raa08_oK4Mul7lHPQbwd85WWNmfiSWDKpHo7u7t4MONS3HWPjQBU_MK7mXCBZGErCjzSxNNmClbWaCWKb_7wxXe5jJdu3FWGaB7O956fOOodMkfyoThebHt2GtJtxwmyxxU_MQ/s1600/P2010316.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excess oil flows onto the beach from the saturated sargassum seaweed, in negligible amount.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfbZWES2tO_ftwXyTDaYDssUzAjO8JSH2S2us2AR-3OAD68VExYzuh_JOuDXnrCnIyhzmOIqwSW_B48hhJIy6sXsxnlT7dXGiJYOA54U-rD7SsENvVc9mPtp3F-JUjrdfqX6POQ/s1600/P2010318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfbZWES2tO_ftwXyTDaYDssUzAjO8JSH2S2us2AR-3OAD68VExYzuh_JOuDXnrCnIyhzmOIqwSW_B48hhJIy6sXsxnlT7dXGiJYOA54U-rD7SsENvVc9mPtp3F-JUjrdfqX6POQ/s1600/P2010318.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oil coverage on the blue drum indicates the oil being washed towards the mangrove.<br />
Sargassum seaweed covers the ground of the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGasQtNmxJnq3qC-M41kfpyHzIfarYxC1sa8r9aX5unYaP85_PrXrXzf_s8bC9efBbQcXVeMxTmA3bQfDUsvXaPqDSvHjLQliBsFYA45rJsOarD3PD51Z1VifmO_bPTlcdCFTHEQ/s1600/P2010325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGasQtNmxJnq3qC-M41kfpyHzIfarYxC1sa8r9aX5unYaP85_PrXrXzf_s8bC9efBbQcXVeMxTmA3bQfDUsvXaPqDSvHjLQliBsFYA45rJsOarD3PD51Z1VifmO_bPTlcdCFTHEQ/s1600/P2010325.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves of <i>Avicennia rumphiana</i> coated with oil at high water mark,<br />
with no sargassum seaweed to absorb the impact. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj-T9NL2AaA3l1hHhHrm6N99_ndlKBCRfwypAL8XbZnXe83VPUmUdJmEDX0H1TyZHp8qp0qbAITAdOyYrVqMlqKu6DByWfSIY6eV6WoFiu5iA-ttEV822_zh7PS8mIscg1D8_Hw/s1600/P2010326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkj-T9NL2AaA3l1hHhHrm6N99_ndlKBCRfwypAL8XbZnXe83VPUmUdJmEDX0H1TyZHp8qp0qbAITAdOyYrVqMlqKu6DByWfSIY6eV6WoFiu5iA-ttEV822_zh7PS8mIscg1D8_Hw/s1600/P2010326.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another <i>Avicennia rumphiana</i>, entangled with a mesh of sargassum seaweed soaked in oil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALhYPkeAnIsP84wnuek1_4Crr13SLoQmqnWsO4fv9mq8Nc2BdgVoxCilhMg_FTChA_2Sbh4JhzDcK9w6idGvCVA0HtgFurA5V9HqxTaNjNI7rWlvO7IXQgWAQ8yX49vLhBAWpZQ/s1600/P2010344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhALhYPkeAnIsP84wnuek1_4Crr13SLoQmqnWsO4fv9mq8Nc2BdgVoxCilhMg_FTChA_2Sbh4JhzDcK9w6idGvCVA0HtgFurA5V9HqxTaNjNI7rWlvO7IXQgWAQ8yX49vLhBAWpZQ/s1600/P2010344.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove, young or mature, with roots and leaves covered by oil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rpqgiz2HiPrsynwP5bsWC6lJs2WgRvVUhnaUBCk1Nw6_dkIk0E4Lc9q5Oh7lhdANsJNB9kut4lpZ3A_3cVTCD-qWDy-vSnWbM7tz0CeG_iv33wTCsXexTK2Lna1sUcKT67XlrA/s1600/P2010346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Rpqgiz2HiPrsynwP5bsWC6lJs2WgRvVUhnaUBCk1Nw6_dkIk0E4Lc9q5Oh7lhdANsJNB9kut4lpZ3A_3cVTCD-qWDy-vSnWbM7tz0CeG_iv33wTCsXexTK2Lna1sUcKT67XlrA/s1600/P2010346.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More images mangrove leaves and sargassum seaweed in oil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An overview of the mangrove from the beach clearly shows where the high water mark reaches in the mangrove at northern part of Semakau.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmefbDysTg2z8pPn7NvYghGYAIdoH6IC9eWvWNMRU66LRhyphenhyphenCe9uNk9Hy-OFIxb82W5L5irC880tc9HP5pq3nDJ0xMZEXxKYWKEv4wmjUiHtRzD6uwHl8Zo0oKy39OSVRFovt-SQA/s1600/mangrove+line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmefbDysTg2z8pPn7NvYghGYAIdoH6IC9eWvWNMRU66LRhyphenhyphenCe9uNk9Hy-OFIxb82W5L5irC880tc9HP5pq3nDJ0xMZEXxKYWKEv4wmjUiHtRzD6uwHl8Zo0oKy39OSVRFovt-SQA/s1600/mangrove+line.jpg" height="237" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red line: Sargassum seaweed among the mangrove roots traps the oil as the tide receded.<br />
Yellow line: Level at which oil landed directly on mangroves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some of the rocks at the northern tip of Semakau were coated with oil.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331727.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil from the rock.</td></tr>
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Though the mangrove was impacted by the bunker oil spill, the sargassum seaweed seemed to provide some level of buffer and containment by acting like a 'sponge' in trapping the oil while the mangrove roots helps to trap the seaweed within the mangrove and beach area. The northern reef at Semakau had some what been protected by the mangrove indirectly.<br />
<br />
An<a href="http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/1026.htm"> oil spill accident in October 1997</a>, resulting in 25 000 tonnes of oil spewed into the sea. Massive cleanup operation took place and it was helped by mangroves at Semakau as the oil gets accumulated on the tree trunks of the mangroves. Thus, the mangroves seemed to have helped in trapping and accumulating oil, preventing the oil in flowing back out as the tide recede and impacting the intertidal area. However, further investigation will be required to arrive at a conclusion.<br />
<br />
With the mangrove being covered with oil, it means that mangrove animals may be affected. A <a href="http://news.mongabay.com/2014/0129-hance-oil-spill-trinidad.html?fbfnpg">news article</a> posted on mongabay.com recently shared about series of oil spills in the Caribbean, affecting many wildlife and the mangrove.<br />
<br />
While on the intertidal reef area, there were sparse patches of oil sheen on the water surface. These oil sheen are probably small amount of oil leaking from the mangrove and trapped sargassum. I did not come across any patch of oil slicks on the reef. The following images shows oil sheen, in small patches, on the reef.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331694.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With mangrove roots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154331698.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another patch on small pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's the photo montage of the oil spill situation in Semakau.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AJHD55b_gyc" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Summary of news release from MPA:</u></b><br />
29 January 2014 - <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140129.xml">Collision between Lime Galaxy and Feihe</a><br />
30 January 2014 - <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130b.xml">Oil spillage clean-up and containment efforts continue</a><br />
30 January 2014 - <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130.xml">Collision between Lime Galaxy and Feihi - Update 1</a><br />
30 January 2014 - <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130a.xml">Collision between vessels NYK Themis and AZ Fuzhou</a><br />
31 January 2014 - <a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140131.xml">Oil spillage clean-up and containment efforts continues - Update 2</a>pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-9661669093904031142014-02-01T13:00:00.000+08:002014-02-02T15:41:16.979+08:00Kusu Reef: A reef with the lion city view under lots of stressThe reef at Kusu Island is rather unique. It is one reef that has a special view - The cityscape of Singapore. This view can be reach with a 15 mintues ferry ride from <a href="http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/nature/southern-islands/getting-to-marina-south-pier/">Marina South Pier</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316827.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kusu reef with Singapore's cityscape in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kusu Island is managed by Sentosa. All visitors are required to pay an entrance fee of SG$0.50 upon arrival at the island. On this island, there is a chinese temple and three Kramats. You can read more about Kusu Island <a href="http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/nature/southern-islands/kusu-island/">here</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I did not visit Kusu Island for the temples but to check the reefs. It was 2 years since I last checked this beautiful reef with cityscape view. The blog post of my previous trip to Kusu is <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2012/06/singapores-city-reef-kusu-island.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, one of the lagoons on Kusu Island was hit by oil spill resulted from the collision of two vessels nearby. The details on the impact of the oil spill can be found in a separate <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2014/01/kusu-island-oiled.html">blog post</a>.<br />
<br />
The reef was rather quiet today but I did see some animals and checked the various types of corals on the reef.<br />
<br />
Kusu Island is one location that I know of with plenty of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/magnifica.htm">magnificent anemone</a> (<i>Heteractis magnifica</i>) but they seemed to be lesser of them as compared to my previous visit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316831.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large clusters of magnificent anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of the many anemones I came across, a few of them had the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/brevicarpalis.htm">five-spot anemone shrimps</a> (<i>Periclimenes brevicarpalis</i>). It was difficult to get a good photo of them on this trip as they are either in deeper water or in areas with oil slick.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316756.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First shrimp spotted.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316785.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A five-spot anemone shrimp couple.<br />
The bigger shrimp is female.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Throughout the trip, I only came across two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polychaeta/sabellidae.htm">fan worms</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316769.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan worm 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316784.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan worm 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Only 1 sea slug encountered on this trip. The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/sacoglossa/ornata.htm">ornate leaf slug</a> (<i>Elysia ornata</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316766.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornate leaf slug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2 flat worms, one of which very much prefers to do free swimming than move on the reef.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316783.jpgg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316783.jpgg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/uniarborensis.htm">Dawn flatworm</a> (<i>Pseudobiceros uniarborensis</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316760.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/damawan.htm">Damawan flatworm</a> (<i>Pseudobiceros damawan</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316762.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damawan flatworm swimming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a short video of the damawan flatworm swimming.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='560' height='315' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwiuMgMfIFvhSFKQK8VqwhbqD11bgdvT7z7vAY7XK4wTsJo4sf3mZ0Cjz0uqeC3e73ViRKIGPTdyzw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
In the lagoon, near the sea wall on the right, there was dying <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/hemiramphidae/shortnose.htm">quoy's halfbeak</a> (<i>Hyporhamphus quoyi</i>). It was not very active and keeps floating to its side.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316919.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316920.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316918.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316795.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer look at its jaw. <br />
The halfbeak has a much longer lower jaw than the upper jaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The reef at Kusu is full of different beautiful corals.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316754.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown coral 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316757.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/agariciidae/pavona.htm">Lettuce coral</a> (<i>Pavona sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316771.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/euphyllidae/paraancora.htm">Branching anchor corals</a></u> (<i>Euphyllis paraancora</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316773.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/oculinidae/galaxea.htm">Galaxy coral</a> (<i>Galaxea sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316789.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/acroporidae/monbranch.htm">Branching montipora coral</a> (<i>Montipora sp.</i>) ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316836.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown plate coral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316901.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown coral 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316829.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral reefscape at Kusu Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sadly, all this beautiful coral reefscape at Kusu are under impact of human dumping activities. Along the trip, we came across mattresses, furnitures and construction materials on the reef, damaging and possibly causing stress to the animals.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316824.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumped mattress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316825.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent anemone attached itself to the side of the mattress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316903.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumped mattress breaking off, revealing the springs used.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316904.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattress springs spread out along the reef.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316907.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattress sheets covering corals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316911.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of bedside drawers with wheels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is upsetting that our beautiful reef is being treated in such manner. There were mattresses dumped all over Kusu Island. All of them are already being encrusted with animals. Furthermore, the mattress sheets could be soaking and absorbing the bunker oil that reached Kusu Island, resulting in slow release of the oil in the long term?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kok Sheng managed to cover most of the reef around the island and he found more other items being dumped. Read more from his blog post <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2014/01/stress-and-more-stress-on-kusu-island.html">here</a>.</div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-18093038652364787482014-01-31T23:30:00.000+08:002014-06-01T19:43:04.882+08:00Kusu Island Oiled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the eve of lunar new year, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) release a media statement regarding '<a href="http://www.mpa.gov.sg/sites/global_navigation/news_center/mpa_news/mpa_news_detail.page?filename=nr140130a.xml">Contact between vessels NYK Themis and AZ Fuzhou</a>' - MPA News centre, 30 January 2014.</div>
<br />
A collision between the vessels happened at East Keppel Fairway at about 4 km south of Marina South. "NYK Themis" is a Panama-flagged containership while "AZ Fuzhou" is a barge being towed by "AZ Carnation". Here's a estimated location mapped out by Ria Tan (wildsingapore) to show collision spot.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjpHVoJTcknl7FWjT0UUhJ0b-MX1wBPgs4Ldr523tm4lMEwhNu10cFMSkZ7Uxl0rWJaQTfV3EMr3CujEgl7bpqlv7ob10bDQccfMB1fbXB74s9gc_a7UNhzkTe2dSnj6HXm0svw/s1600/collision1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjpHVoJTcknl7FWjT0UUhJ0b-MX1wBPgs4Ldr523tm4lMEwhNu10cFMSkZ7Uxl0rWJaQTfV3EMr3CujEgl7bpqlv7ob10bDQccfMB1fbXB74s9gc_a7UNhzkTe2dSnj6HXm0svw/s1600/collision1.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estimated collision site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The collision caused damages on the bunker tank of "NYK Themis", resulting in some spillage of bunker fuel. MPA's statement stated that "Oil spill response companies were also activiated to support the clean up efforts."<br />
<a name='more'></a>It seems that some substantial amount of bunker oil escaped the clean up operations and floated towards the nearby southern islands such as Kusu, Lazarus and St. John's Island. It was by chance that a few of us had arranged to survey the reef at Kusu Island on lunar new year.<br />
<br />
When we arrived at Kusu Island, there was already a signage put by Sentosa to warn people the presence of oil slicks in the big lagoon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316752.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage by Sentosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oil slick is a layer of oil floating on the surface of water.<br />
<br />
We were unaware of the extend of the oil spill impact on Kusu Island but immediately pass the island's ticketing counter, we were shocked at the sight. We could clearly see the oil marks on the inner left sea wall of the lagoon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316798.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick layer of oil on the sea wall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the high shore, the oil slick left a trail along the whole beach. It looks like Sentosa had done a round of clean up along the high shore and this is the remaining.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316799.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil on the sand of the high shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we walked down the high shore, there were still patches of oil slick.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316800.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patches of oil slick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While some parts of the seagrass area had a thin layer of oil on the water, reflecting some sheen from an angle. These seagrass areas are heavily covered with <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/batillariidae/zonalis.htm">bazillion snails</a> (<i>Batillaria zonalis</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316802.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheen on the water at some seagrass patches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Near one of the many oil slick patches, I found a pair of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/archaster.htm">common sea star</a> (<i>Archaster typicus</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316801.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common sea star right next to a patch of oil slick.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I got closer to the oiled seawall, the coverage of the oil got clearer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316805.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closer image of the oil on the sea wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316806.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line of oil on the sea wall from the high shore.</td></tr>
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Some of the oil slick from the high shore gets slowly washed down shore by flowing streams.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316816.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowing patterns of the oil at mid shore.</td></tr>
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Even at the mouth of the lagoon, there were some presence of oil slick, most of which trapped in crevices of large rocks or coral colony.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316818.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil trapped in coral structures.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316820.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil slick in a small pool at the mouth of lagoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316821.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil marks on reef</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316910.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil trapped between large rocks on the seawall's edge</td></tr>
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The reefy area after the mouth of the lagoon seems much better though I can see some oil floating and moving on the water surface, especially when there are large incoming waves. The edge of the left seawall has more signs of oil as compared to whole reef.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316828.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin layer of oil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316832.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheen from oil on the water surface</td></tr>
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Within the lagoon, the lower shore were slightly hit by the oil spill. Most of the time, I encounter a thin layer of oil on the water surface and I only came across one patch of trapped oil slick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316912.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil slick right in between corals and an anemone.</td></tr>
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The poor <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/gigantea.htm">giant carpet anemone</a> (<i>Stichodactyla gigantea</i>) was right next to oil slick and it had a pair of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/brevicarpalis.htm">five-spot anemone shrimp</a> (<i>Periclimenes brevicarpalis</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316786.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five-spot anemone shrimp, with oil slick in the foreground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316788.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same oil slick next to the corals.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316787.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some oil has covered a small part of the giant carpet anemone.</td></tr>
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The right side of the lagoon on the high shore seems to be the most affected by the oil spill. There were moving trails from the snails on the sand in the pool of black oil slick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316946.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails of snails.</td></tr>
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Kok Sheng came across of patch with many <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/anaspidae/extraordinaria.htm">extraordinary sea hare</a> (<i>Aplysia extraordinaria</i>) among the seagrass badly covered with oil slick. We tried to handle the sea hares only to find then very stress, as they release their purple ink immediately when touched, and very limp and soft. The sea hare were covered in oil! It was rather heartbreaking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316947.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple ink released by the sea hare when it is stressed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316949.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oil from running my finger gently on the animal.</td></tr>
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I also encountered a pair of sea hare "trapped" in a pool with a thick layer of oil.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316952.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find the sea hare?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316953.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pair of sea hare from the image above.</td></tr>
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Here's an overview picture of the lagoon affected by the oil spill. Places where we found oil in the lagoon are shaded in orange. Mostly on the high shores and left sea wall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316954.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shading of the lagoon with traces of oil.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oil spills have great effect on marine life, especially animals that need to surface to breath and also the intertidal animals. From this trip, there were already animals showing signs of stress from the oil spill, just about 1.5 days after the collision took place. The sea hares were all coated with oil and are struggling to survive.</div>
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Other than marine animals living in the lagoon, other animals visit the lagoon to forage. How will the oil spill impact these visiting animals?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154316917.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imprint left by visiting shore bird.</td></tr>
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Here's a video montage I have complied using the photos and some videos taken during this trip to document the impact of oil spill at Kusu Island.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tkAriu9JjkU" width="640"></iframe>
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<b><u>Posts by others:</u></b></div>
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Chay Hoon - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ilmare77/media_set?set=a.10152197857633713.1073741863.619308712&type=1">Oil Spill @ Kusu Island on her Facebook</a></div>
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Kok Sheng - <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2014/01/stress-and-more-stress-on-kusu-island.html">Stress and more stress on Kusu Island</a></div>
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Ria Tan - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/01/two-collisions-with-oil-spill-near.html#.UuxizneSyW0">Two collisions with oil spills near Southern Islands in Jan 2014</a></div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-13141217903221955942014-01-25T18:02:00.003+08:002014-01-25T18:11:36.368+08:00My love for TMSI-SJIThe <a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank">Tropical Marine Science Institute</a>, TMSI in short, is an institution formed with the National University of Singapore (NUS). The institution aims to play a strong role in promoting integrated marine science, in research and development, as well as to establish itself as a regional and international education and training centre through active collaboration with academic, government and industrial sectors. Major research areas in TMSI are Marine Environmental Management; Underwater Remote Sensing and Oceanography.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_TvltJDRsS0TUNx1k_HMXBNXVxkyWc4xKop5__Yl1iXtrgfmjMgpbHVr-u5SwyPbn3EQp4ZSTFes-gEuYhpqSsDjmTbFinuOsZx_Rr0ZeSqv-1QpYXfxEPAuy1-mRybYLcGmqQ/s1600/TMSI+Homepage.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_TvltJDRsS0TUNx1k_HMXBNXVxkyWc4xKop5__Yl1iXtrgfmjMgpbHVr-u5SwyPbn3EQp4ZSTFes-gEuYhpqSsDjmTbFinuOsZx_Rr0ZeSqv-1QpYXfxEPAuy1-mRybYLcGmqQ/s1600/TMSI+Homepage.tiff" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TMSI homepage<br />
<a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/">www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg</a></td></tr>
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There are two TMSI research facilities - one located on the main campus of NUS at Kent Ridge while second is located off mainland Singapore at St. John's Island (SJI). The institution also has research vessel, Galaxea, allowing researchers to conduct experiment in Singapore waters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/u1/galaxea-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/u1/galaxea-side.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Galaxea<br />
[Image from TMSI's webpage, <a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/research-facilities-galaxea">http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/research-facilities-galaxea</a>]</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>I may not be familiar with TMSI's research facilities at Kent Ridge but I have been to their research facilities at St. John's Island on quite a number of occasions. I am not a marine scientist nor am I working in the research facility.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/u1/SJI_Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/u1/SJI_Office.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TMSI research facility on St. John's Island<br />
[Image from TMSI's webpage, <a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/research-facilites-kent-ridgest-johns-island">http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/research-facilites-kent-ridgest-johns-island</a>]</td></tr>
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The TMSI facility at SJI was officially opened on 3 October 2002, focusing on marine science research. It is Singapore's only marine research facility and also around the region. The small looking facility is rather well equipped to many people's surprise. The two main research blocks housing well-equipped laboratories to support a diverse range of marine biology and aquaculture research.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1511159_758219364205575_371635416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1511159_758219364205575_371635416_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two main research blocks.<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsislandmarinelab/photos_stream?ref=br_tf" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
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A main administrative building housing meeting rooms, a small library, a seminar room, offices for senior scientist and a general office. Next to the admin block is a dormitory block for researchers to sleep on the island when conducting experiments overnight. It has a laundry room and air-conditioned bedrooms, accommodating up to 20 people. There are no food stalls on the island but the facility has a working kitchen equipped with induction stove, refrigerator and microwave oven to satisfy the rumbling stomaches of staffs.<br />
<br />
Located on an off shore island, the SJI research facility gets easy access to flow-though raw, unfiltered seawater with options for filtered seawater or recirculating filtration. There are two indoor aquaria with tank capacities up to 1000 litres within few walking steps from the research blocks and an outdoor area with large aquaculture tanks of capacity up to 5000 litres. Wet laboratories in the research blocks are also outfitted with seawater tables.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61468_758243437536501_1373405022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/61468_758243437536501_1373405022_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the indoor aquaria<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.758241057536739.1073741828.758210957539749&type=3" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1554597_761039793923532_1005801205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1554597_761039793923532_1005801205_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor area<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.761039440590234.1073741837.758210957539749&type=3" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
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Why am I sharing so much about the TMSI facility at St. John's Island?<br />
<br />
Just a few weeks ago (early Jan 2014), I was sad to hear that the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsislandmarinelab/posts/760601337300711?stream_ref=10" target="_blank">marine research facility will soon be shut down</a> due to high operating costs. If the lack of strong funding continues, operations at the facility will stop by 31 March 2015.<br />
<br />
If the closure really happens, what will the future be for marine research in Singapore and in the region without a proper working marine laboratory? How will if affect marine research projects even from the moment the news was announced?<br />
<br />
The SJI marine laboratory is important for some researches such as cultivation of giant clams, tests of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.761816247179220.1073741838.758210957539749&type=3" target="_blank">anti-fouling</a> measures and growth of corals that requires easy access to clean, running seawater from the facility's pump and filtration system. This easy access to seawater and close proximity to diverse marine habitats makes the marine lab at SJI so different and unique from its sister facility at Kent Ridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426793.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant clam research</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1519022_763094797051365_1233592227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1519022_763094797051365_1233592227_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspecting fouling organisms on a navigation buoy.<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.761816247179220.1073741838.758210957539749&type=3" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As mentioned earlier, I am not a staff of this marine lab and neither am I a marine scientist. So how did I know about this amazing marine laboratory located on St. John's Island, an island where people in Singapore hardly step onto?<br />
<br />
My very first visit to this marine lab, and also to this island, began few years ago when I signed up as a volunteer for the <a href="http://megamarinesurvey.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey</a> (CMBS). They were conducting sorting sessions in one of the research labs and needed volunteers to help them sort out animals collected from mudflat surveys. I volunteered a whole week of my time helping them sort out marine animals. That was the time when I realised that some animals looked the same but different.<br />
<br />
From then on, I visited the SJI marine laboratory whenever my working schedule permits me to help in the sorting sessions, helped in their 10th anniversary open house and participated in a bryozoans and hydroids workshop.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426807.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine lab 10th anniversary open house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426796.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping out at the touch pool during the open house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My hand was even featured in the newspaper report about the open house.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/146426808.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Report on Straits Times, 2 Oct 2012<br />
[<a href="http://www.nus.edu.sg/oes/pdf/marine-study-st-2oct-pb6.pdf" target="_blank">PDF version</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, seeing the same image of my hand on the report about the closure of the marine lab makes me even more sad about this announcement.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154186657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154186657.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Report on Straits Times, 18 Jan 2014<br />
[Electronic version on <a href="http://www.stjobs.sg/career-resources/hr-updates/marine-research-lab-in-deep-water/a/150741" target="_blank">STjobs</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My biggest involvement with the SJI marine lab would be the CMBS Southern Expedition in May 2013, based at a facility on St. John's Island behind the marine lab.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201307.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daily scheduled ferry service to the island for the expedition.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201313.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happenings at during the expedition - tagging specimen containers with collection codes.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154201323.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reviewing the collection of sponges from dredging.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the news of the marine lab's closure, a few people that I know off have posted their thoughts in blog posts or on Facebook. </div>
Jocelyne Sze - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jocelyne.Sze/media_set?set=a.10151922783667849.1073741854.516002848&type=1" target="_blank">Things from Tropical Marine Science Institue, St John's Island</a> on Facebook.<br />
Mei Lin - <a href="http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.sg/2014/01/singapores-only-marine-station-tropical.html" target="_blank">Singapore's only marine station</a><br />
WildSingapore - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2014/01/the-value-of-singapores-only-marine.html#more" target="_blank">The value of Singapore's only marine station</a><br />
<br />
Through Jocelyne's Facebook post about her experience at SJI marine lab doing her A Levels H3 Science Research Project with TMSI-SJI, I learnt that the marine lab it not just a place for marine scientists or researchers.<br />
<br />
Curious about the new 'A' Level curriculum (2006 onwards) directed me to Ministry of Education's webpage about the <a href="http://www.moe.gov.sg/cpdd/alevel2006/experience/levels.htm" target="_blank">'A' Level</a>. The H3 level subjects allows diverse learning opportunities for in-depth study in the form of advanced content, research paper or through university module. Students taking H3 subject must take the corresponding subject at H2 level. In the list of H3 subjects offered, one of the programme is the NUS-MOE Science Research, which I believe Jocelyne did.<br />
<br />
Here is a <a href="http://www.moe.gov.sg/cpdd/alevel2006/pdf/subject_synoposes.pdf" target="_blank">subject synoposes</a> (PDF document) of the NUS-MOE Science Research.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The objectives of the Science Research are:
<br />
<ul>
<li>To encourage students to undertake research projects in a scientific and technological community</li>
<li>To promote an early appreciation of the content, methods, culture and ethos of research throughimmersion in the process of scientific inquiry; and</li>
<li>To enable students to engage actively in research by carrying out substantial parts of the research<br />
independently and responsibly</li>
</ul>
Students will be involved in research and are mentored by practising mathematicians, scientists, medical<br />
researchers and engineers from the Faculties of Science, Medicine and Engineering of the National<br />
University of Singapore (NUS) and participating Research Centres/Institutes such as the Institute of<br />
Molecular and Cell Biology, the <u><b><span style="color: blue;">Tropical Marine Science Institute</span></b></u>, the Defence Science & Technology Agency, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens. This programme is accredited and examined by the National University of Singapore.<br />
Mode : Research<br />
Pre-requisites : H2 Biology / H2 Chemistry / H2 Physics / H2 Mathematics / H2 Computing<br />
Assessment : Students undertake the following components:<br />
<ul>
<li>Research Plan and Laboratory Work</li>
<li>Research Paper</li>
<li>Presentation with Oral Defence</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Good ability 'A' Level students with great interest in marine biology or in research have an opportunity to take this H3 programme as part of their 'A' Level course, developing their capacity to learn independently, with some supervision, through experimentation and research. Prior to this new syllabus implemented in 2006, students are only offered 'S' papers to enrich their content knowledge of a subject higher than the subject content requirement offered at 'A' Level. 'S' paper classes are conducted within the school after curriculum time. With the change in the 'A' Level syllabus, students have a wider range of programme to choose from, including university modules.<br />
<br />
The syllabuses are structured to meet the Ministry's <a href="http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/desired-outcomes/">desired outcomes of education</a> in buliding a confident person, self-directed learner, active contributor and a concerned citizen. (<a href="http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/files/desired-outcomes-of-education.pdf">PDF version</a> available)<br />
<br />
Other than partnering with Ministry of Education in creating a science research programme for 'A' Level students at H3 Level, TMSI-SJI has also conducted education and outreach programme to children and general public. This includes the open house where the research facility is opened to general public to visit and understand the working environment and ongoing projects at the facility. Other than the open house, the SJI marine lab has hosted visiting groups such as the group from Bukit Batok Community Centre and has conducted <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2010/01/nature-walks-at-st-johns-island-with.html#.UuOD2mSwrBI" target="_blank">guided walks</a> at St. John's Island for <a href="http://uforest.blogspot.sg/2010/03/tmsis-first-st-john-guided-walk.html" target="_blank">schools</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1526641_763099570384221_1743782950_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/1526641_763099570384221_1743782950_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children from Bukit Batok Community Centre<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.763099407050904.1073741841.758210957539749&type=3" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNEDj-oBMv4/S5w_FFzmsRI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3REQHXvMxvs/IMG_0308_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mNEDj-oBMv4/S5w_FFzmsRI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/3REQHXvMxvs/IMG_0308_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TMSI's first guide walk at SJI<br />
[Photo by Teo Siyang on <a href="http://uforest.blogspot.sg/2010/03/tmsis-first-st-john-guided-walk.html">his blog</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clearly, the value of TMSI's marine lab is more than just a research institution or a marine station in the region for marine scientist to conduct their research. The institute is just as valuable when it comes to education collaborations and public outreach programmes, as stated in their <a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/outreach">webpage</a>.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As part of TMSI's public education programme to create awareness in the marine sciences, the institute conducts organised short visits to our marine research facility at St. John's Island. The two hour programme will introduce visitors to marine science and research at TMSI, with two short talks on highlighting some of our research in the physical sciences and marine biology, and a mini-tour of our facility on St. John's Island.</blockquote>
There have also been residential programmes and <a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/outreach">training workshops in marine science</a> conducted at SJI marine lab, such as <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2011/05/join-as-day-participant-in-sea-anemone.html">sea anemones</a>, <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2013/02/workshop-on-bryozoans-and-hydroids-29.html">bryozoans and hydroids</a>, <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2012/06/boggled-by-bivalves-come-for-bivalve.html">bivalves</a> and many more.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY10ip9gUKGSp5HhQ5D9dYGA09QdzRvUXXEjPbFt9ooT2EHwkSnCt8Dtt3c5pAkFST0Dh_m3_YRxtcDkPYKKAVlZnOynwyN_votkF4dG7pWLk3MQb9BpCegXjfm_lHa1DL2RG2Hg/s1600/TMSI+outreach.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY10ip9gUKGSp5HhQ5D9dYGA09QdzRvUXXEjPbFt9ooT2EHwkSnCt8Dtt3c5pAkFST0Dh_m3_YRxtcDkPYKKAVlZnOynwyN_votkF4dG7pWLk3MQb9BpCegXjfm_lHa1DL2RG2Hg/s1600/TMSI+outreach.tiff" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Webpage about TMSI's outreach programme<br />
[<a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/outreach">http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/outreach</a>]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Perhaps the SJI marine laboratory outreach programme can be further enhanced and become a learning centre about marine environment and education, similar to what <a href="http://www.field-studies-council.org/" target="_blank">Field Studies Council</a> does? I think there are endless possibilities in the potentials of such a wonderful marine station in Singapore.<br />
<br />
It is really saddening and heartbreaking to learn of the closure of such a great marine station due to high operating cost and lack of funding. Let's hope that things will turn for the better.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1016277_758810637479781_34757059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1016277_758810637479781_34757059_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of TMSI-SJI staff<br />
[Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsislandmarinelab/photos_stream" target="_blank">St. John's Island Marine Laboratory</a> on FB]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Useful links:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://www.tmsi.nus.edu.sg/files/A%20Short%20History_Pg%20vii-ix.pdf" target="_blank">History of TMSI at St. John's Island</a> (PDF document)<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsislandmarinelab">St John's Island Marine Laboratory on Facebook</a><br />
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/scientists-volunteers-take-part-biggest-marine-life-audit-20121024" target="_blank">Scientists, volunteers take part in biggest marine life audit</a> (ST, 24 Oct 2012)<br />
<a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.sg/2013/05/new-marine-species-discovered-in.html#.UuNuWWSwrBI" target="_blank">Compliation news about the Southern Expedition on wildsingapore news</a>pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-27649857655917434542014-01-04T22:36:00.000+08:002014-01-11T13:50:38.450+08:00A new year, a new life on Chek JawaThe new year marks the start of a slow progression towards intertidal fieldtrips as the low tide period starts to get lower and shifts from evening low tides to morning low tides. It is a great feeling to be back on the shore again, after about 1.5 months break due to the unfavourable low tides since mid November last year.<br />
<br />
The first intertidal fieldtrip of 2014 begins at Chek Jawa. With heavy rain pouring almost daily throughout November to December and the eastern part of peninsular Malaysia being hit by floods, we were worried if Chek Jawa will be affected by large amount of freshwater flowing down the Johor river. Chek Jawa is located on the eastern end of Pulau Ubin where discharge from the nearby Johor River is directed at.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154076571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154076571.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Location of Johor River mouth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In Jan 2007, a mass death of marine animals took place at Chek Jawa. Animals such as sea cucumber, sea stars, carpet anemones, peacock anemones died in large numbers. It was a devastating sight for many who visited Chek Jawa during this period. Read about the first account of the mass death and the cause.<br />
<br />
1. "<a href="http://uvp.blogspot.sg/2007/01/18th-january.html" target="_blank">Mass Death at Chek Jawa</a>", 18 Jan 07 on the ubin volunteers blog<br />
2. "<a href="http://cjproject.blogspot.sg/2007/10/what-caused-mass-death.html" target="_blank">What caused the mass death?</a>"<br />
<br />
<br />
The GOOD news is that Chek Jawa looks fine from today's trip. I did not notice any signs of unusual deaths but rather, Chay Hoon, Mei Lin and I witnessed the birth of a baby cuttlefish! We were just checking the inside of an egg case when the little fellow decided to emerge from its case. It was a moment of great excitement.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XyIZDi1cu_hqyUCAl1mDfc6l7SL7w1526iQNEE0MdRG2oyUz8LxGk0zEw8m-lL3pc_cJ2xazJD7iJB-3MFWmkRneGqUjhbHDVIdx-kfgXCRxkPtje7v6VmHXI6NWLT_Y0SY4/s640/O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XyIZDi1cu_hqyUCAl1mDfc6l7SL7w1526iQNEE0MdRG2oyUz8LxGk0zEw8m-lL3pc_cJ2xazJD7iJB-3MFWmkRneGqUjhbHDVIdx-kfgXCRxkPtje7v6VmHXI6NWLT_Y0SY4/s640/O.jpg" height="186" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photos by Mei Lin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were many <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/anemonefi8.htm" target="_blank">peacock anemones</a> (or tube anemones) and they come in different colours, even bright neon ones like green or orange. Peacock anemones are not true anemones.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026091.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock anemone of neon green.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026108.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another peacock anemone with banded tentacles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is my first time noticing this purple <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/haddoni.htm" target="_blank">haddon's carpet anemone</a> (<i>Stichodactyla haddoni</i>) after having visited Chek Jawa many times. There were a few of such colour seen.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026159.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple carpet anemone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another great find is this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/pimply.htm" target="_blank">pimply mangrove anemone</a>. According to Ria Tan (wildsingapore), this anemone has yet to be identified by Prof Daphne Fautin, world authority on sea anemones.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026099.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pimply mangrove anemone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chek Jawa one location where sea stars comes in various sizes. On this trip, I decided to skip all the large ones. I came across the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/sandplain.htm" target="_blank">plain sand star</a> (<i>Astropecten sp.</i>), <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/goniodiscaster.htm" target="_blank">biscuit sea star</a> (<i>Goniodiscaster scaber</i>) and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/anthenea.htm" target="_blank">cake sea star</a> (<i>Anthenea aspera</i>) while the rest also encountered a juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/protoreaster.htm" target="_blank">knobbly sea star</a> (<i>Protoreaster nodosus</i>) and the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/nepred.htm" target="_blank">scaly sea star</a> (<i>Nepanthia sp.</i>).<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026100.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain sand star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026102.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain sand star (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026105.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very tiny cake sea star</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026103.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very tiny cake sea star (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026106.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny biscuit sea star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026104.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny biscuit sea star (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026132.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange sea star (Biscuit? Cake? sea star)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/baibaiye.htm" target="_blank">little ruby flatworm</a> (<i>Phrikoceros baibaiye</i>) is very common on Chek Jawa. In bright orange colour, this flatworm is often encountered in pairs and they are fast moving animals when disturbed. When out of water among coral rubble, it is easily mistaken as some <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/ascidiacea/rockslime.htm" target="_blank">slime ascidian</a>. Interestingly, this flatworm feeds on ascidians too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026115.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little ruby flatworm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other flatworm seen are the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/fineline.htm" target="_blank">fine-lined flatworm</a> and the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/gratus.htm" target="_blank">brown striped flatworm</a> (<i>Pseudobiceros gratus</i>)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026123.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine-lined flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026113.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown striped flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chay Hoon had an amazing find on this trip. She found a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/cephalaspidea/hydatinidae.htm" target="_blank">paper bubble shell snail</a> (<i>Hydatina sp.</i>). The bubble shell snail is actually a sea slug carrying a shell. It has a body much larger than the shell and hence is unable to retract into the shell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026093.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper bubble shell snail (overview)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026095.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper bubble shell snail (front)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026096.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper bubble shell snail (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chay Hoon even managed to discover these nudibranchs blending very well with their sponge host. She says that this might be a new record. It looks exactly like a sponge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026148.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown nudibranch (white)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026149.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are two of the unknown nudibranch. <br />
Can you find where the second nudibranch is located?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There were other amazing large sea slugs encountered today such as the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/denisoni.htm" target="_blank">denison's nudibranch</a> (<i>Dendrodoris denisoni</i>), <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/actinocyclus.htm" target="_blank">fugly nudibranch</a> (<i>Actinocyclus papillatus</i>), <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/spongiosa.htm" target="_blank">sponge nudibranch</a> (<i>Atagema spongiosa</i>), <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/gymnodorisothers.htm" target="_blank">Gymnodoris nudibranch</a> (<i>Gymnodoris sp.</i>) and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/sacoglossa/ornata.htm" target="_blank">ornate leaf slug</a> (<i>Elysia ornata</i>). Chay Hoon has more photos of other sea slugs on her Facebook album.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026116.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denison's nudibranch (overview)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026118.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denison's nudibranch (rhinophores)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026119.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denison's nudibranch (feathery gills)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026122.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denison's nudibranch (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026126.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponge nudibranch (overview)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026127.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponge nudibranch (can you see the rhinophores?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026125.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponge nudibranch (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026128.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fugly nudibranch (overview)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026130.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fugly nudibranch (feathery gills)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026129.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fugly nudibranch (spot the rhinophores)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026131.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fugly nudibranch (underside)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026143.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornate leaf slug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026146.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gymnodoris nudibranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stepping the shallow waters at Chek Jawa, we need to be very careful as the water can get quite murky, making impossible for us to see what animals rest on the substrate. For example, I came across a juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/dasyatidae/lymma.htm" target="_blank">blue-spotted fantail ray</a> (<i>Taeniura lymma</i>) in a rather clear shallow pool. Keeping a safe distance from the ray, I had a short look at this resting animal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026135.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-spotted fantail ray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Towards the end of the trip, I left the rest and diverted my attention to the sandbar next to the pontoon. I wanted to shoot the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/ocypodoidea/scopimera.htm" target="_blank">sand bubbler crab</a>s (Scopimera sp.) and <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/ocypodoidea/dotilla.htm" target="_blank">soldier crabs</a> (<i>Dotilla sp.</i>). The crabs were very sensitive tonight, probably because the night is still young. It was difficult finding crabs that could stay still for long time, but I managed to get a few shots before the trip ended.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026152.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand bubbler crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026154.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solider crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think my next crab challenge would be the fiddler crabs.<br />
<br />
On the rather sad note, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/seagrassfi.htm" target="_blank">smooth ribbon seagrass</a> (<i>Cymodocea rotundata</i>) seemed to look strange. Many of them were blackish and there were patches of them with pale-yellowish leaf blades near the base. I am not sure what is going on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/154026157.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth ribbon seagrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The small team was very much blessed with cooling and rain-free weather while the southern island got swept by a massive storm with lightning flashing across the sky in the early night. We were worried that we might be trapped at Chek Jawa. Luckily, the clouds never reached Changi.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, the intertidal area is not opened for public access. However, the boardwalk is opened daily from 8 am to 6 pm.<br />
<br />
This survey trip is made possible with support, permission and permit by National Parks Board (NParks).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Posts by others:</u></b><br />
Chay Hoon - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ilmare77/media_set?set=a.10152135777013713.1073741858.619308712&type=1" target="_blank">Photos on Facebook</a><br />
Kok Sheng - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lohkoksheng/media_set?set=a.10152122674133158.1073741848.547198157&type=1" target="_blank">Photos on Facebook</a><br />
Mei Lin - <a href="http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.sg/2014/01/chek-jawa-survey-04012014-hiatus-no-more.html" target="_blank">Chek Jawa Survey (04012014)</a><br />
<br />pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-76337888477684067342013-11-07T15:09:00.000+08:002013-11-11T19:09:13.097+08:00Tanjung Rimau Security Barriers - Some changes and slight improvements The sky presented itself with a beautiful sunset as I did an update on the security barriers at Tanjung Rimau, Sentosa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330659.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from Sentosa</td></tr>
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How have the security barriers progressed after my last visit in <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/08/updates-on-security-barrier-at-tanjung.html" target="_blank">August 2013</a>? Were there improvements done or has situation worsened?<br />
<a name='more'></a>There were only one obvious change made to the line of security barriers at Tg Rimau. The drums chained on the high shore, some of which were broken, were removed.<br />
<br />
Let us see the progression of the drums on the high shore since I started documenting this in April 2013.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/149881990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/149881990.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">[Image taken in April 2013]</td></tr>
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Here's a picture I took in August, showing where the blue drums starts from the high shore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue drums starts right next to where this photo was taken, furthest on the high shore.<br />
[Image from August 2013]</td></tr>
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Here's the picture I took on this trip landwards, showing that the blue drums starts on the rocky - sandy high shore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330639.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obvious different between the April photo and the photo taken on this trip.</td></tr>
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With the drums removed from the high shore, no more sighs of broken drums and contents spilling onto the rocky surfaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wider view of the high shore, where the connecting chains can be seen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330641.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chains are anchored at the same spot.</td></tr>
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This is where the line of drums begins from the shore. The concrete cube is visible in the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330645.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the line of drums.</td></tr>
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I am not sure if the drums are serviced and changed regularly, but when the tides goes out, the organisms (mostly algae and some barnacles) growing on the lower parts of the drums are revealed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue drums resting on the reefy shore when the tides goes out.</td></tr>
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Other than the improvements done on the high shore, the rest of the line looks the same as what I saw during my last visit. The concrete cube which the line of drums is attached to is still sitting at the spot while the drums forms a corner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330657.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concrete cube and drum corner.</td></tr>
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Here's an overview video of the security barrier line near the concrete cube is.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ucLxJw1MbY4" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
As it was an evening trip, I had to move and work fast checking out this barrier line as it is rather difficult to document them when the light goes dim in the sky.<br />
<br />
As mentioned in my previous <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.com/2013/08/updates-on-security-barrier-at-tanjung.html" target="_blank">update </a>about the security barriers, there was a tilted buoy along this line of barriers which might have caused the change in the outline of the barriers on this shore. The image taken in August showed the buoy tilted at about 45 degrees to the horizon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749849.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilted buoy documented in August.</td></tr>
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On this trip, the same buoy is resting on the reef and it looks different. The buoy is almost horizontal on the reef.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330661.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The buoy at the same location.</td></tr>
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On the reef where the buoy is resting on, it looks pale as though the parts have been scraping the surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buoy on the reef.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pale surfaces caused by the buoy?</td></tr>
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I am assuming that this is the same buoy as the one I saw in August. Some markings have "disappeared" and it is difficult to make comparison.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749874.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Markings on the lower part of the buoy - "PCG" and "01"<br />
[Image taken in August]</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331129.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image taken on this trip - Barely visible "PCG", missing "01", addition "W-2" markings</td></tr>
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The blinking light attached at the tip of the buoy had been removed. And so is the stick with the cross.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151749872.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of buoy, blinking light and cross point present.<br />
[Image taken in August]</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross point and blinking light missing.</td></tr>
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The whole buoy is slowly being encrusted with some parts probably rusting away. This is a view where the blinking light was attached with the solar panels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331131.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusting top and encrusted solar panels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the whole buoy.</td></tr>
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It was rather "exciting" having a closer look at this buoy as the ferry services to and from Batam make use of the waterway in front of this shore. This means that each time the ferry passes by, large waves generated by the ferry will reach the shore at Tg Rimau. Even at low tide, these large waves are rather strong, especially when I was already standing in just below knee deep water at the buoy. I had to scramble for slightly higher ground on the reef on two occasions, right next the circular structure while I grabbed onto the structure of the buoy.<br />
<br />
This video will show how strong the ferry generated waves can be as they head towards the shallow shore.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BE3fOLwcUOQ" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
There was a drum near the buoy that looked rather dented.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153331135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dented drum.</td></tr>
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Armed with a GPS device, I marked some coordinates along the security barrier line and tried to map out more accurate points on Google Earth. The purple line shows the rough line of the security barriers with the help of 5 GPS coordinate points. The short red line is the chain from the concrete cube to the drum "corner". The GPS coordinate marking end at the buoy ("Beacon" on the image).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153332235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153332235.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple line shows the line of security barriers.</td></tr>
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The shore at Tg Rimau is still pretty much alive as the sunsets. I came across many clusters of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/enhalus.htm" target="_blank">Tape Seagrass</a> (<i>Enhalus acoroides</i>).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330660.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape seagrass</td></tr>
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The shore area after the start of the barrier was so densely covered with the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/chlorophyta/bryopsis.htm" target="_blank">Hairy green seaweed </a>(<i>Bryopsis sp.</i>) that I have to carefully place my foot so that I do not step on loose pieces of rubble or animals hiding under the seaweeds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/153330648.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick layer of hairy green seaweed on the shore.</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, my compact flash card from my DSLR has some problems and I could not extract out the photos. So no critter updates on what I saw during this trip. Hope that I will be able to recover my photos in that card.<br />
<br />
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<b><u>Read more about the security barriers at Sentosa (in chronological order):</u></b><br />
<a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/04/security-barriers-at-tanjung-rimau.html" target="_blank">Security Barriers at Tanjung Rimau, Sentosa</a> [28 April 2013]<br />
<a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/08/updates-on-security-barrier-at-tanjung.html" target="_blank">Updates on Security Barrier at Tanjung Rimau, Sentosa</a> [10 August 2013]<br />
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<br />pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-62765269702473533132013-10-06T22:00:00.000+08:002013-10-16T12:07:09.066+08:00Cephaly, Fidderly and Tape Flowery at SemakauIt was a rather hot day today as we journey to Pulau Semakau for another intertidal survey session. The team had visited this part of the shore a few months ago on National Day.<br />
<br />
We passed by quite close to the fish farm next to Semakau. There is a barge right next to the fish farm loaded with stacks of bags which may be fish food. On the barge (right side on the photo), there seems to be a large rectangular metal container used for incinerating things. I could see smoke coming out of the rectangular container and smelled something being burnt.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760898.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchored barge with stacks of white sacks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neatly constructed shelter</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>The structure of the fish enclosures in this fish farm is very different looking than the northern fish farms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish enclosures.</td></tr>
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Upon landing on the shore, Ivan spotted a cuttlefish about the size of my palm. It was not easy to get the cuttlefish to show its tentacles.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760771.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the cuttlefish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760772.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuttlefish tentacles.</td></tr>
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Chay Hoon spotted a small cuttlefish among the seagrass blades. The seagrass meadows provides small shelter space for growing animals.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760773.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760777.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ivan was a great observer today. He also spotted an <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/majoidea/menatheius.htm" target="_blank">arrow-head spider crab</a> (<i>Menatheius sp.</i>)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760780.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrow-head spider crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the team made their way to different parts of the shore to check, I headed towards the river mouth to explore. Along the way, there were patches of very long <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/enhalus.htm" target="_blank">tape seagrass</a> (<i>Enhalus acoroides</i>). I used 'very' because most of the tape seagrass we monitor and usually see are rather short and burnt at the ends.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very long tape seagrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's more exciting about these tape seagrass is that some of them releasing male flowers! It is so tricky to photograph the male flowers as they are small and white like tiny styrofoam bits. The camera tend to over expose the flower.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760782.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One male flower of tape seagrass.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are no magical powers involved to make these male flowers stand. One end of the male flowers of the tape seagrass is hydrophobic (repels water), which allows the flower to 'stand' upright on water surface or even wet fingers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760783.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More flowers on tape seagrass blade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think the male flowers looked like tiny standing teeth.<br />
I have also started noticing bare spots on the epiphyte (small plant which grows attached to another plant) covering the seagrass blades. Animals feeding on the epiphytes?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760787.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding marks?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I head nearer to the river mouth the habitat changed from a sandy, seagrass meadow to a slightly muddy substrate with breathing roots sticking out. I am approaching the mangrove area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pneumatophores of Sonneratia tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the banks at the river mouth, it is stunning to see marine animals settling comfortably. There were clumps of tape seagrass on the river bed. As I was bending to take a closer look at the marine life on along the bank, a pair of eyes looked back at me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760788.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What interesting eyes you have."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/strombidae/canarium.htm" target="_blank">Pearl conch</a> (<i>Strombus turturella</i>) looking at me.<br />
On the water surface there were a few <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/cephalopoda/pygmy.htm" target="_blank">pygmy squids</a> (<i>Idiosepius sp.</i>) swimming around.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760808.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pygmy squid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were also some individual <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/gigantea.htm" target="_blank">giant carpet anemones</a> (<i>Stichodactyla gigantea</i>) along the bank and they can be found next to the rock wall slope on the bank.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant carpet anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And some <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/pomacentridae/fasciatus.htm" target="_blank">yellow-banded damselfish</a> (<i>Dischistodus fasciatus</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760810.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-banded damselfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I walked further up the river, the tranquility of the mangrove slowly reveals itself to me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where the river flowed from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the rather firm mangrove ground surrounded by some Sonneratia and Rhizophora trees, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/ocypodoidea/vocans.htm" target="_blank">orange fiddler crabs</a> (<i>Uca vocans</i>) are out busy feeding. They are very sensitive animals and requires patience to photograph during daytime.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760819.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male orange fiddler crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760823.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female fiddler crabs (how many can you spot?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many fiddler crabs can you see here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The dead mangrove tree provided a lot of details for artistic shots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760920.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760924.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761049.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
An eagle flew past.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760815.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brahminy kite eagle?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The roots system of the Sonneratia tree is not as simple as you think.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonneratia tree root system</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Back to the sandy shore, I came across two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/others/jellyfish/upsidedown.htm" target="_blank">upsidedown jellyfish</a> (<i>Cassiopea sp.</i>). One was "upsidedown".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152760885.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upsidedown jellyfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upsidedown, Upsidedown jellyfish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the sun begins to set, it was time to leave the shore.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152761054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on the Semakau's shore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This probably marks our last trip for the year till about next March as the tides are not low enough for us to visit our shores.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b><br />
James with photos on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/james.kwb.77/media_set?set=a.722431274436913.1073741842.100000101421019&type=1" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-552277023066040412013-10-05T20:52:00.003+08:002013-10-05T20:52:57.329+08:00More than 160 kg of rubbish found on Pulau Ubin shores [English news report]Following up on the Chinese news report about the coastal trash on the Nothern part of Pulau Ubin, Channel News Asia and Today newspaper reported about the same news in English. My friend has updated that on the same evening the Chinese news clip was broadcasted, the English news also reported about it with a separate video clip.<br />
<br />
In case you have missed the videos or did not read my previous post, here are the videos<br />
<br />
Channel 8 News (Chinese)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CkvjuplcrHc" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Channel NewsAsia (English)<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="380" src="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/starterkit/servlet/fragment?id=836938&view=embed&videoWidth=640&videoHeight=360" style="border: none;" width="660"><br />
<br />
<br /></iframe><br />
<br />
Here is the news article accompanying the English video clip:<br />
<br />
<div class="news_detail" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
SINGAPORE: A recent clean-up of the beaches at Pulau Ubin led by Outward Bound Singapore saw more than 160 kilogrammes of waste being collected.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
Volunteers found fishing nets and abandoned barrels among the usual plastic bags and bottles in the rubbish deposited at Pulau Ubin's northern shores.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
Chua Li San, head of character and curriculum development at Outward Bound Singapore, said: "We don't know what is actually being contained in those barrels. Is it petroleum or is it some other petrochemical waste?</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
"The fishing nets... we don't know if any fishes or birds will be trapped by the nets.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
"Is cleaning the beach the only solution? We need to do something more extensively... to educate people."</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
Fishermen said they usually bring their rubbish to the collection point at the nearby Marina Country Club and added that some of the waste could have floated over from kelongs at the opposite shores of neighbouring countries.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority said it is an offence for fish farmers to dispose waste into sea waters.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="news_copyright" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 23px;">
- CNA/ec</div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-32546004623149955722013-10-04T23:39:00.000+08:002013-10-05T20:54:41.905+08:00Coastal Trash at Northern Ubin [Chinese News Report]A few days ago, Ria wrote a blog post about fish farm trash found and removed from the northern shore of Pulau Ubin despite the coastline being lined with security fence. The cleanup activity was coordinated by Chua Li San from Outward Bound Singapore. Officers from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) were invited to view the situation from the seaward side. You can read more about from Ria's blog post <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/09/fish-farm-trash-on-northern-ubin.html#.Uk6urGQY3I0" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Today, Mediacorp's Channel 8 evening and night newscast reported about this situation and interviewed a few fish farms nearby.<br />
<br />
Here is the news clip from Channel 8 news' youtube channel.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CkvjuplcrHc" width="480"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
For the benefit of my readers who do not understand Chinese, I have translated the content of the video. It is not 100% translated but I tried my best to translate as accurately as possible the main points covered in the news report. I also did the Chinese transcribe of the video.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: 宋体; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-font-family: 宋体;">Translation (Coastal
trash at Northern Ubin)</span></u></b><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-font-family: 宋体;">The northern shore of Pulau
Ubin is often seen littered with large amount of trash. In the most recent
cleanup event, volunteers removed 165 kg of trash within a day. News reporter
found out that among the list of items removed are abandoned fishnets and
chemical containing plastic drums. These items may pose threats to and damage
the ecological environment.</span><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-font-family: 宋体;"><o:p> </o:p></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 宋体; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-hansi-font-family: 宋体;">Narrator:</span></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 宋体;">Otter rolling around on the
sand, heron resting on the fence. However, oil drums, styrofoam boxes and
plastic bags are littering all around. Outward Bound Singapore (OBS), who
regularly organises coastal cleanup for the public volunteers, commented that
such sights are common.</span><o:p> </o:p> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Interviewee (OBS):</b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Just two weeks
after the cleanup, we found a refrigerator here. Why are there still oil drums
present? Why are there still items used by the fish farms found here?<o:p> </o:p> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Narrator:</b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the nearby fish
farms, a fish farmer commented that the fish farms dispose their trash in the marina country club nearby. As for the oil drums, it is possible that they were either
not securely tied or dislodged by the strong waves.<o:p> </o:p> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Interviewee (Fish farm):</b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
During presence of
strong waves, the ropes securing the drums may break, resulting in the drums to
be displaced and float out. The direction in which the drums float to depends
on the direction of the wind.The wire fences on
the security barriers are old and damaged with holes. At high tide, if the
trash is floating near the holes on the fence, they will be washed through
towards the shore.<o:p> </o:p> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Narrator:</b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The fish farmers
also feedback that sometimes during strong northerly winds, trash from the
kelong of neighbouring country also gets swept in the direction of Pulau Ubin. Volunteers have
noticed fish trapped and killed by abandoned fishnets along the coastline.
Disposed plastic drums are found to have contained chemicals.<o:p> </o:p> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Reporter:</span></b> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Although OBS and
public volunteers have access to this Northern shore on Pulau Ubin to conduct
cleanup sessions, it was not enough to resolve the root cause of this problem –
a measure to control those who discard trash illegally or those who are
irresponsible in their trash management. It is unknown, at the moment, the kind
of marine damage or pollution these trash can cause. Personnel from AVA and NEA
visited this area last Saturday (5 October 2013) to conduct some checks. AVA emphasised
that it is an offence for fish farmers to dispose their trash into the sea.
Currently, no one has been fined for such offence.</span></blockquote>
<br />
I'll be glad to update this translation should you have better translated sentence(s).<br />
<br />
Seems like the fish farmer made it sound so easy for the floating trash to just pass through the broken security fence during high tide. I am sure that some of the items removed from the shore could not float. So how did these items get onto the shore then?<br />
I do have some doubts about the accuracy of information in this news report.<br />
<br />
What about you? I welcome you to raise any questions you might have from this news report. Just drop me a comment with your name.<br />
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<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment-->pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-31801404892251093362013-09-24T21:19:00.000+08:002013-09-25T21:13:28.170+08:00Marine animals crowd at Tanah Merah on a beautiful sunsetTanah Merah has one of few quiet hidden shores tucked away from the hustle and bustle of urban pace.<br />
It is surprising to see how well the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/rotundata.htm" target="_blank">Ribbon seagrass</a> (<i>Cymodocea rotundata</i>) has settled very well on this shore and is expanding its coverage area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMV07n0XYvyReYkkJKARpKPIrUjVe0duFC-Ox6giZt0XMyuNDRnRWooU9nTTCWOZtWxSzmd5_nYiJmgN5fv1tdDGNsyY_PONc50_I_R0q87xwH9i340ezqwA-2RK94wDgBbwosA/s400/130923tmfts06056m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMV07n0XYvyReYkkJKARpKPIrUjVe0duFC-Ox6giZt0XMyuNDRnRWooU9nTTCWOZtWxSzmd5_nYiJmgN5fv1tdDGNsyY_PONc50_I_R0q87xwH9i340ezqwA-2RK94wDgBbwosA/s400/130923tmfts06056m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spread of Ribbon seagrass<br />[Photo by Ria Tan]</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Ribbon seagrass on this shore is so thick that they form a thick seagrass carpet when the tide goes down has the strap-like grass blades fall and intertwined with each other.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Before heading to the shore, we came across many filled black trash bags. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535283.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash bag from ICCS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Seems like a group had cleaned up this shore as part of the <a href="http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank">International Coastal Cleanup Singapore</a> (ICCS) event. September is the month of international coastal cleanup and volunteers around the world spent the third Saturday of September cleaning up their coast. The site I visited today is Tanah Merah Site 7 and this site was cleaned up by ITE Colleage West (School of Engineering). The data collected from this site can be viewed <a href="http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/results/2013/tm-tm7-itecw.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div>
<br />However there is an endless stream of marine trash brought in by the incoming tides each day and by the time we visited the shore after the cleanup event, we found more empty bottles washed up to the high water mark. Where did these trash come from?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535281.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More trash along high water mark.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we moved down to the shore, we found more bits of trash scattered on the shore.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535284.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash scattered on the shore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Right in front of the seagrass patch next to the seawall, Ria noticed a large <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/holothuroidea/scabra.htm" target="_blank">Garlic bread sea cucumber</a> (<i>Holothuria scabra</i>).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535132.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic bread sea cucumber next to the seagrass patch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shortly after, I found more of them nearby.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535131.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darker version?</td></tr>
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The Ribbon seagrass provided food and shelter for many tiny shelled animals. The tiny hermit crabs are so small and cute looking.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny hermit crab</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The little blobs on the seagrass blades are actually the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/neritidae/oualaniensis.htm" target="_blank">Dubious nerite snail</a> (<i>Clithon oualaniensis</i>). They may look like some boring tiny snails but on a closer look, these snail shells actually come in various patterns.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535135.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Dubious nerite snails with different shell patterns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We were treated with beautiful sunset on this quiet shore with ocassional sounds of plane taking off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535482.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Tanah Merah shore</td></tr>
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As the sun begins to set, all the animals come out to play. There were plenty of fish and they were all swimming around me. Night time is the best time to photograph fish as they are less active.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large school of fish</td></tr>
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With more carefull observations, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/apogonidae/melas.htm" target="_blank">Black cardinalfish</a> (<i>Apogon melas</i>) actually starts appearing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black cardinalfish</td></tr>
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On the surface the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/hemiramphidae/broadnose.htm" target="_blank">Broad-nose halfbeaks</a> swim leisurely near me while a small juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/sphyraenidae/sphyraenidae.htm" target="_blank">Barracuda</a> tried to avoid me in the shallow water. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackish broad-nose halfbeak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535272.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another broad-nose halfbeak with different colour.</td></tr>
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The small juvenile barracuda looks rather similar to the broad-nose halfbeak but it has larger eyes with the upper jaw only a little shorter than the lower jaw.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile barracuda</td></tr>
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On the rocky seawall, there were different types of small shrimps moving around. I am not sure what these shrimps are. Some of them are very well camouflaged.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown shrimp 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535141.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the shrimp?</td></tr>
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While on the sand, I spotted this unusual shrimp with a small band of red just behind its eyes. However the red band is not permanent. After handling the shrimp for a while, I noticed the red band fading away. How interesting!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535278.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown shrimp with interesting red band behind eyes.</td></tr>
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Ria mentioned that the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/saron.htm" target="_blank">Saron shrimp</a> can be found at the rocky area along the seawall, but I had never seen a saron shrimp myself before so I was not able to spot any during this trip. After the trip, I learnt how to look out for them.</div>
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Ria them showed me a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/anomura/hermit/orangespot.htm" target="_blank">Spotted orange hermit crab</a> (<i>Dardanus megistos</i>). Unfortunately, the hermit crab got tired of emerging from its shell by the time it was shown to me. I only got an image of it hiding in its "home".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted orange hermit crab</td></tr>
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The highlight find for this trip would be a lonely Fiddler crab (<i>Uca tetragonon</i>) moving around the rocky area. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiddler crab, front view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535231.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the carapace</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks to Ivan Kwan, who alerted Ria that the fiddler crab might be similar to the one Kok Sheng saw at <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2008/12/first-time-at-sultan-shoal.html" target="_blank">Sultan Shoal Lighthouse</a> in 2008. Could there be more of this fiddler crabs that are hidding under the rocks?</div>
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As we end the trip in darkness, the nocturnal hunting animals starts appearing. Can you guess what animal this is?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who am I?</td></tr>
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It is actually the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/ocypodoidea/ceratophthalmus.htm" target="_blank">Horn-eyed ghost crab</a> (<i>Ocypode ceratophthalmus</i>) and they live in burrows near the high water mark. They are swift moving crabs, which gives them the name 'ghost crab'.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152535275.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am a Horn-eye ghost crab.</td></tr>
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This may be my first survey trip at this shore but I am loving it at the animals that can be found here.<div>
For my next trip to this shore, I shall attempt to look for Saron shrimp myself!</div>
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<b>Post by others on this trip:</b></div>
<div>
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/09/special-fiddler-crab-at-tanah-merah.html#.UkFstGQY3I0" target="_blank">Special fiddler crab at Tanah Merah</a></div>
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-70579017221566770382013-09-24T21:09:00.003+08:002013-09-24T21:09:39.263+08:00Owl, snakes and spiders at Pasir Ris Mangrove BoardwalkIt was a great trip with the Naked Hermit Crabs at Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk. After a long break from Pasir Ris, the guided decided to conduct a free guided walk during this September school holidays. Despite a small group everyone saw amazing animals in this short 1 hour walk.<br />
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Located with a short walk for Pasir Ris Park Carpark C is a patch of replanted mangrove that has flourished along the banks of Sungei Tampines, and even on the coastline near the river mouth.<br />
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The visitors were looking forward to spotting animals as they entered the nearest entrance to the mangrove boardwalk. Little did they know that an golden orb spider is looming just above their parents' head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden orb spider</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>I pointed out this rather large spider and almost gave everyone a fright. Alyce shared with the group that the supporting silk by the sides are not sticky and requires the least amount of energy from the spider to be produced. She also show us how taut the silk is and you can actually gently feel how firm the silk thread is.<br />
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Even before the walk started, the visitors has a warm up treat of seeing a flying lizard on the tree trunk next to the meeting point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350923.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying lizard</td></tr>
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Along the boardwalk, it was the first time for many of our visitors seeing a cicada. Many people often confuse the sound cicadas produce with crickets. The cicada was within comfortable eye viewing for the adults while the children needed a hand to get a good look at it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350925.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cicada</td></tr>
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On another branch, there were clusters of mealy bug.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350956.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mealy bug - white and fluffy</td></tr>
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Not sure what these insects next to the mealy bugs are. Sean did mention something about them being matured form of the mealy bug? Looks like they are carrying a sap like bubble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350929.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matured mealy bug?</td></tr>
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Then Sean, our ladybird expert, spots a 'white cow' ladybird which has yet to be identified. He has created <a href="https://www.facebook.com/balloonspider/media_set?set=a.10151739402748551.1073741851.609918550&type=3" target="_blank">A Picture Guide to Ladybird Beetles of Singapore</a> with amazing drawings and great photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350958.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'White cow' ladybird</td></tr>
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Earlier before the walk, I came early to check out the mangrove and this spider that I saw before the walk was still at the same location. I showed it to the visitors who were interested about spiders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider</td></tr>
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After the walk, I check the same tree trunk and it was still there! Sean took photos of it only find that it is a mama spider as she is now guarding her newly hatched baby spiders. (Sorry, by that time I had kept my camera.)<br />
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Sean and I spotted a few of these insects and he thinks that they are some kind of fly. We managed to see them at different angles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350914.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side profile</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350960.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview</td></tr>
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It was rather tricky to lean against the boardwalk railing today. The weaver ants were running around along the railing. These ants can inflict a nasty pain when they bite and they do not easily let go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350907.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaver ant</td></tr>
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How can I forget about the mangrove animals when doing a guided walk on the mangrove boardwalk?<br />
Squirrels are not true mangrove animals but they do forage in the mangrove for food. The children are excellent at spotting squirrels and are very excited about them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel feeding</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/gobiidae/schlosseri.htm" target="_blank">giant mudskippers</a> (<i>Periophthalmodon schlosseri</i>) looked less lively today and there were fewer of them seen. What has happened? However our visitors were still very excited to see the giant mudskippers moving around in the mangrove. A few of them were seen in pairs. Possible mates?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350908.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant mudskipper</td></tr>
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Toward the end of the walk, we spotted two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/snakes/cerberus.htm" target="_blank">dog-faced watersnake</a> (<i>Cerberus rynchops</i>) at the water's edge. They look slightly bigger than a juvenile size. It a good sign for Pasir Ris mangrove.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350961.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog-faced watersnake 1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350965.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog-faced watersnake 2</td></tr>
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Suddenly, a large flying animal caught my attention as it landed on a tree branch. It was an owl, the Buffy fish owl. This shy bird stayed long enough for everyone to admire it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350963.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffy fish owl turning its head to have a look.</td></tr>
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As we end our walk at the lookout hut to Sungei Tampines, one of our alert mummies spotted a juvenile water monitor lizard and... we finally witnessed how the water monitor appeared in the hole of the tree trunk. For the many trip we have done we always encounter the juvenile water monitor lizard's head taking a peek from the tree trunk's hole.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350967.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving to the hole.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the hole first</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First half of lizard in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a bit more</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152350975.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now to move the tail in</td></tr>
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Sean has a wonderful video of the lizard moving into the hole and listen to the interesting comments in the background.
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As we head back to the starting point with the setting sun, the guides got to witness a bit more action along the boardwalk.<br />
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I pointed out an interesting spider on a tree trunk that I spotted before the walk that is still at the same spot. Then Sean commented that the spider now seems to be guarding her babies that looked recently hatched. I only managed to take pictures of the mother spider.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken before the walk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken after the walk.</td></tr>
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At the orb spider's web, we were treated to some prey catching action as a dragonfly flew into the orb spider's web. Sean managed to capture it on video.</div>
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The Pasir Ris Park mangrove boardwalk is opened all day and it is very interested to visit the mangrove after sunset. </div>
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-80926535794585522342013-09-10T16:56:00.001+08:002013-09-10T16:56:14.575+08:00Of Whirlpools and Cyclones - Embracing and Enjoying Science by Prof Leo TanThis morning, I attended a distinguished science lecture series organised by the Science Teachers Association of Singapore (STAS) and the Singapore Science Centre. This happened to be the first lecture series organised by STAS. The guest speaker to kick start the inaugural lecture series is Professor Leo Tan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Distinguished Science Lecture Series.</td></tr>
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Prof Leo Tan is a professor of Biological Sciences, Director of Special Projects, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore. He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Science, Singapore.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The topic for today's lecture is "Embracing and Enjoying Science".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Of Whirlpools and Cyclones - Embracing and Enjoying Science"</td></tr>
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Prof Tan shared with the audience about the many difficulties and challenges he faced in the world of science since he was an undergraduate till now and he describes them as whirlpools and cyclones.<br />
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He first talked about the meaning of science for different groups.<br />
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Then Prof Tan shared about the challenges he faced from the life of an undergraduate to PhD at University of Singapore. Then, Prof Tan had a dream. His dream was to become a marine biologist. Marine biology was not well developed at the then University of Singapore that time and the job prospects was minimal but Prof Tan did not give up on his dream and he persevered.<br />
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When Prof Tan became a lecturer at the university, he was asked to teach topics outside of his area of study. The audience of science teachers could relate to this very well as we often face this challenge in schools. This is especially true when teaching lower secondary students as the syllabus covers the 3 sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and science teachers would have to teach at least one science out of their specialised science(s). Prof Tan did not object to these assigned lectures. He took it up as a challenge to read beyond his field and this made himself indispensable in the department.</div>
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At the same time, he lost his research site at Tanah Merah due to land reclamation for Changi Airport's second runway and all the marine animals got buried under the sand. Furthermore he witnessed the lost of many beaches around Singapore as industrialisation began and land reclamation happened in full force to expand Singapore's land area.</div>
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In this first part, Prof Tan highlighted a few lessons learnt.</div>
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<ol>
<li>Be courageous, persevering and imaginative</li>
<li>Believe in what you do </li>
<li>Be curious, passionate, resilient, questioning, risk taking</li>
<li>Create value</li>
<li>Make mistakes</li>
<li>Rally allies</li>
</ol>
Of the points he covered, I remembered two points deeply - questioning and make mistakes. Questioning in terms of "Why", "How", "What". With continual questioning, either at yourself or others, there is a strong will to get the answer to the questions and this is how many people succeed. Though the process of obtaining the answer may be of great challenge, difficulty and may not be instantaneous, you will eventually get the answer. Asian parents like to ask their children "Have you...." or "What did you....", which does not allow children to think deeper in their reasoning or answers. Why not change to "Why does it happen this way?", "How is it possible." or even "What happens if I do it this way?"<br />
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Everyone makes mistakes and there is nothing wrong with making mistakes. Each of us grow and develop ourselves through the mistakes made. Prof Tan made a very valid point in this talk, "Make mistakes, but never make the same mistakes again. Make NEW mistakes.". It is through new mistakes that you and I realise that certain methods, procedures or technique is not acceptable or does not work in various context. And we understand from our mistakes where we have gone wrong and try to improve ourselves. It may take a very long time to reach the end point but in every tiny step is a learning experience that can benefit yourself and/or everyone around us and eventually it will lead us to the end point.<br />
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Prof Tan's first whirlpool experience happened when he was asked to lead the Singapore Science Centre. It was a whirlpool for Prof Tan as the Science Centre then was not well established and many did not recognise the value of it. The public did not think highly of learning science in a non-formal manner. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First whirlpool - Leading the Singapore Science Centre</td></tr>
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However Prof Tan took up this challenge and viewed Science Centre as a new platform for learning and enjoying science in an unconventional way. The Omni Theatre and Planetarium was built under his leadership and activities such as science fairs, projects, camps and demonstrations were organised to create experiential learning for visitors. Prof Tan valued partnerships of public, people and private industry. I learnt that Science Centre grew in popularity as a place for learning and enjoying science not through hard selling and publicity, but through word of mouth of visitors and it is a very powerful tool.<br />
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His second whirlpool came after serving 10 years at the Science Centre and was asked to lead the National Institute of Education (NIE) where he served for 18 years. In NIE, he created new beginnings for the professional development of teachers, introduced the Bachelor's degree in Education (Science or Arts), changing mindsets of staff and paradigms of teaching/ learning among others.<br />
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The whirlpools continued as Prof Tan was asked to serve in other organisations and handled other responsibilities or projects. I could understand that despite being thrown into whirlpools after another, Prof Tan had always believed in himself and think about the positive things he is going to achieve each day at work. He was able transform the whirlpool into his playground.<br />
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Everyone has a dream. The dream may change from time to time, or new dreams are formed when the old dreams gets fulfilled. At each part of the journey, Prof Tan had a dream. Currently, he is working on fulfilling one big dream that he had - restoring the Raffles Collection.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I had promised myself in 1974, when I was appointed Lecturer in Zoology<br />at the then University of Singapore, that one day the Raffles Collection<br /> would regain its rightful place in Singapore's heritage, culture and education.<br />I am happy I could, with the help of fellow Singaporeans, deliver on the promise."</i>
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He then shared the history of Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) since it was established in 1823. There was a period of time from 1972 to 1988 where Raffles Museum was "Homeless".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journey of RMBR</td></tr>
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The current location of RMBR at the Faculty of Science, NUS is getting too small for its growing population of specimen collections. Furthermore the public gallery could only display a tiny fraction of the museum's collections. With the new Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in construction, the museum's collections will be housed in a larger building where more specimens can be displayed for public viewing, including three dinosaurs which Prof Tan and his team fought very hard to raise money to purchase them.<br />
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So, part two of lessons learnt:<br />
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<ol>
<li>"Follow" your dream and think through the next steps</li>
<li>Do not be afraid of failures as it is the stepping stone to success</li>
<li>Adopt a 'do or die' attitude</li>
<li>Enjoy what you do and just do it!</li>
<li>Have integrity</li>
</ol>
Towards the end of the talk, Prof Tan gave some "advice" to his audience of science teachers:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Ignore the standard texts</li>
<li>Read journals, prints and online media</li>
<li>Discuss the issues</li>
<li>Learn by doing (experiential learning)</li>
<li>Undertake projects, summer programmes, field work, internships, etc</li>
<li>Share stories</li>
<li>Ensure your students reflect and think</li>
</ul>
I think I need to work harder on some areas. In December last year, I did a Teacher's Work Attachment with RMBR and you read about it <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2012/12/my-work-attachment-at-rmbr.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I must say that it takes great effort to excite students close to the same level as you have about doing something, but it is not impossible. There will be students who will never show the slightest interest in your very passionate sharing with the class. They are not in the same interest frequency as you are. This year I tried exposing my class to Singapore's marine biodiversity through verbal sharing and videos. I just have to talk about the interesting parts/ facts or observations and I would say that majority of them enjoyed it. Some may have be inspired by the sharing I did in class.<br />
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On the parting note, Prof Tan commented to the audience, "I have a new dream... I hope you have one too!"<br />
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At the end of the talk, everyone is welcomed to feel and take photo of the dinosaur bone on display. The bone on display is a Tibia bone of <i>Diplodocus sp.</i> (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from Howe-Stephens Quarry, Wyoming, 1994. It is a 160 million years old bone, much older than the one I helped to assemble in the museum's public gallery (65 million years).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a feel of the bone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking photos of the bone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scale of the tibia bone</td></tr>
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This is probably how the dinosaur looked like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.freeola.com/images/user-images/26702/diplodocus-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://media.freeola.com/images/user-images/26702/diplodocus-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration of <i>Diplodocus sp.</i></td></tr>
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It was a very inspiring talk by Prof Leo Tan.<br />
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Actually, I did not know about this talk until Dr Tan Swee Hee from RMBR emailed to inform me about this talk by Prof Leo Tan. I was not a member of STAS so I did not receive information about their Distinguished Science Lecture Series. After the talk, I found out that there was a reason to why Swee Hee informed me about the talk - they had a photo of me speaking to the President at the recent Festival of Biodiversity in one of the slides.<br />
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Unfortunately, I did not have a photo of that slide but the image used was something similar to this.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking to the President during the recent Festival of Biodiversity 2013.</td></tr>
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As I am typing this post, his comment sets me thinking... What is my dream?<br />
I do have one in my mind now and this dream was set after my work attachment ended - I would like to work at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.<br />
Whether this dream will come true or not is not a big deal. Remember, THINK POSITIVE!<br />
Of course, I have other dreams and they are kept somewhere in my mind. Some dreams may have been lost, some require deeper retrieval and some may need some modifications.<br />
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What is your dream?</div>
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pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-34898843959884455952013-09-07T22:00:00.000+08:002013-09-08T22:46:54.780+08:00Running allowed at Chek Jawa?While waiting for the monthly Naked Hermit Crabs guided walk to begin at Chek Jawa's information kiosk, some of us noticed runners donned in lime green t-shirts running into Chek Jawa Wetlands. They turned into the steep down sloped gravel terrain, which leads them towards the Tg Chek Jawa Muslim Cemetery and the back mangrove.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running down the gravel slope.</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>Some runners were blasting music away as they entered Chek Jawa and running pass right in front of us. They took it as a joke when told to off the blasting music.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runners running into Chek Jawa</td></tr>
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There were some directional makers tied to trees to indicate the running route. The logo reads "K5 Kampung Run".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Directional signage.</td></tr>
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It was simple to do a search and obtain information about this race. A search on Google brings me to a Facebook page for this event. You can read more about the event <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/502196719873648/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YxrE95dE6_LOd5_YJLwto7OvrH7RxpNgHcwgvY5WBp7iUlYb2xS6bLe33a-sLV7Lpqo4nMymnzD4fxp1H0Zm_MaSmNGLoCwEFEkcDieug2wokwOK655HFa065IdswY7G-STF8w/s1600/K5+Kampung+Run+(Ubin).tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YxrE95dE6_LOd5_YJLwto7OvrH7RxpNgHcwgvY5WBp7iUlYb2xS6bLe33a-sLV7Lpqo4nMymnzD4fxp1H0Zm_MaSmNGLoCwEFEkcDieug2wokwOK655HFa065IdswY7G-STF8w/s400/K5+Kampung+Run+(Ubin).tiff" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Print screen of the page.</td></tr>
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Here's a quote from the page about the event:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Back by popular demand, K5 KampungRun (Pulau Ubin) is a road and trail run specially designed to promote the love of kampung life, community bonding and runners who want a city getaway to experience the lost nature of Singapore. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Proudly organized and guided by Team Kikikukiki, the route will bring participants thru the time tunnel into the 60’s where Atap houses are powered by diesel operated generators and drinking water from the wells. Paved forest trails at certain point of the run where you may see</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> school of wild boars lazing around and through Chek Jawa’s boardwalk, Ubin’s enchanted mangrove swamp.<br /><br />Do join us and invite your friends to enjoy the lush greeneries and freshness of the nature while running it Kampung style! </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Do join us and invite your friends to enjoy the lush greeneries and freshness of the nature while running it Kampung style! </span></blockquote>
A photo posted on the page shows the route covers a loop round Chek Jawa, entering from the mangrove boardwalk and out the coastal boardwalk.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYO8CbRoswm1IzmzFDtyprdWGVRbYWHfgjx8a3HNrSghsR3bNBvqCieuCQ2rk-iD4_sT6bGXfdsAsnZby0dwVSZn8Oo7eOoibzyW2P5X0o7utOnrGsmGLlRUMxsmKT8_HJMpvuQ/s1600/155696_499112953513442_1990055847_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYO8CbRoswm1IzmzFDtyprdWGVRbYWHfgjx8a3HNrSghsR3bNBvqCieuCQ2rk-iD4_sT6bGXfdsAsnZby0dwVSZn8Oo7eOoibzyW2P5X0o7utOnrGsmGLlRUMxsmKT8_HJMpvuQ/s400/155696_499112953513442_1990055847_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running route.</td></tr>
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Chek Jawa may not be a nature reserve, but it is one of the places where visitors come to enjoy and appreciate the flora and fauna of the place.<br />
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There are some points which I wish to highlight and question:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>With runners running through Chek Jawa, they frightened many animals away and some animals may not come out of their hiding place for a long time. </li>
<li>Will the boardwalk able to withstand such impacts from the runners running on them?</li>
<li>What about the safety of the visitors along the boarwalk? The mangrove section of the boardwalk do no have railings and I have experience how aggressive runners can be when you get in their way.</li>
<li>Do the organisers have the permission to allow this event to take place in Chek Jawa?</li>
<li>Have the organisers thought of the possibility of disturbing the animals in Chek Jawa?</li>
<li>Were there measures to educate runners of proper running etiquette (e.g. blasting of music, talking loudly... etc)?</li>
</ol>
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<div>
Even at this very moment on Facebook, there is a group of concern people raising issues regarding <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tnf100sing" target="_blank">The North Face 100 Singapore Run</a>, which passes through the central catchment nature reserve with an overnight running event. </div>
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Here's the screen shot of the feedback raised by the concerned people.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2GROtkSncrVgnUHP4DSCzDiDzE7Q-fTR11Rc0rS7DXj82aJdSqA31X51AcoGSFHiaMr5Y-bupZfF9zzXPtwyAmhoJttIoJ3vGe5g2LbO5440yv_6-NoX3m2r0mfnEkT1DV-SiQ/s1600/TnF100+Singapore+FB.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2GROtkSncrVgnUHP4DSCzDiDzE7Q-fTR11Rc0rS7DXj82aJdSqA31X51AcoGSFHiaMr5Y-bupZfF9zzXPtwyAmhoJttIoJ3vGe5g2LbO5440yv_6-NoX3m2r0mfnEkT1DV-SiQ/s400/TnF100+Singapore+FB.tiff" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From TnF100 Facebook page</td></tr>
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<div>
There have been 31 shares of this image to raise the awareness among friends how destructive to the environment this race can be. It was this very image and hit the nail on my head and made me thinking how destructive running events can be. Thinking about the trampling of soil (which is compacts the soil and stops vegetation from growing), littering along the route, loud music and shouting pass the animals quiet home, and many more. I hope you can help to spread the awareness too.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Do we want to continue having such activities in our precious nature?</div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-66492113465874438742013-09-07T20:37:00.000+08:002013-09-08T21:57:59.627+08:00Anniversary walk at Chek Jawa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today marks a special milestone for the Naked Hermit Crabs. The volunteer group is celebrating 6 years of guided walk at Chek Jawa! I may not be a 6 years old nature guide with them but I'm glad to be part of this "celebration" right here at Chek Jawa.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUM1qDOJ1oeYKPlT8kFLukOv3TqWnu6qptY4OOhfP2H5w_CWUNxH-16TzJE1u_F3mH1cARCor1sWmNymdI1SWJVWi65Aks1cbdqw50H2N8BBmj2Rxv_5c0_oZS0Qu4dIbxpiKTw/s400/DSC04007m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUM1qDOJ1oeYKPlT8kFLukOv3TqWnu6qptY4OOhfP2H5w_CWUNxH-16TzJE1u_F3mH1cARCor1sWmNymdI1SWJVWi65Aks1cbdqw50H2N8BBmj2Rxv_5c0_oZS0Qu4dIbxpiKTw/s400/DSC04007m6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the crazy person looking into the binoculars on the extreme left.<br />
[Photo by Ria Tan]</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>We did not have a large group of visitors today. On average, the visitor to guide ratio is estimated to be about 4 to 1. Visitors were separated into 3 groups and were privileged to have at least 2 experienced guides with each group. The guides in each group took turns to speak so what we would not tired ourselves along the walk.<br />
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Today was my first time seeing the back mangrove filled with water, probably through the combination of in-coming tide and the heavy morning downpours these few days. Just before we reached the Jejawi tower, the usually dry patch of mud nearby was flooded and I noticed many groups of tiny dots on the water surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231355.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possible frog eggs</td></tr>
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They could be the eggs of the <a href="http://mangrove.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/text/2111.htm" target="_blank">crab-eating frog</a> (<i>Rana cancrivora</i>). The crab-eating frog is an exception of the amphibians as it is among the few that is tolerant of salt water conditions.<br />
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Up on the Jejawi tower, I spotted a Crimson sunbird next to the Jejawi tree just before I was about to make my way down. However the bird was perched rather far away for my lens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231357.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crimson sunbird</td></tr>
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Back on the mangrove boardwalk, it was rather quiet apart from the large swarms of mosquitoes pestering me throughout the boardwalk. Both my arms provide evidence that I have done my part in blood donation to nature.<br />
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The group came across may tree-climbing crabs, a few spiders, mudskippers and mangrove fiddler crabs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree-climbing crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231361.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider</td></tr>
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The highlight of the whole guided walk for me was to see a white-bellied sea eagle landing on a dead mangrove tree along the coastal boardwalk. Just nice, there was good clearing view for the group to view this majestic bird perched on the tree. My 105mm lens could not get a decent shot of this bird so I roped in my binoculars and compact camera instead.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231429.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied sea eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
We were fortunate to have great weather today. The sky was cloudy with slight breeze and a bit of sun.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the not-so-happy side, Ria and I noticed that the mangrove fern at the base of Jejawi tower has been deliberately cut. The cut leaves were thrown and scattered around that area. What is going on?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow oval shows where the mangrove ferns used to be growing. On the left are some of the cut ferns,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231424.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the right where the ferns were growing, the scattering of cut ferns.</td></tr>
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<div>
We also notice cutting of trees along the mangrove boardwalk, resulting in some small sections of the boardwalk to be brighter than the whole mangrove.</div>
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<div>
On the shore side of Chek Jawa, there were 3 fishing boats spotted within the boundary of Chek Jawa and a speedboat was passing through between the coastal boardwalk and the Chek Jawa front beacon. On the NParks' <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/popup/pulau-attractions.html#3" target="_blank">website</a>, there is a "Notice to Vessels" link which downloads a letter informing the shipping community on the boundary of Chek Jawa Wetlands and practices to be observed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231434.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing boat neat the Chek Jawa beacon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231438.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speedboat passing behind the beacon, in front of boardwalk.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fishing boat neat the beacon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152231443.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish boat some distances from the pontoon.</td></tr>
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<div>
One of the practices not allowed states "There shall be no collection of any organism (including remains of an organism) or use of rods, lines, hooks, nets and traps within Chek Jawa Wetlands".</div>
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Sigh...</div>
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<div>
I'm glad the visitors had enjoyed themselves throughout the walk despite the ferocious attacking mozzies along the mangrove section. I don't even want to count the number of marks I have on both my arms. There's just too many to count.</div>
<div>
<br />Happy 6th anniversary to the Naked Hermit Crabs and wishing many more years to come!</div>
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<b><u>Other posts about this trip:</u></b></div>
<div>
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/09/6-years-of-nakedness-at-chek-jawa.html#more" target="_blank">6 years of nakedness at chek jawa</a></div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-30178260727721805182013-08-24T18:43:00.000+08:002013-08-31T15:32:48.602+08:00Amazing reef at Pulau Semakau's northern shorePulau Semakau, the island where many people know it as a landfill island being filled up by ash of incinerated rubbish disposed by us on Mainland Singapore. Not many people are aware of the flora and fauna beauty of Semakau. On the western side of this landfill island is an intertidal beauty consisting of mangrove trees, seagrass and coral reef along the reef edge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl19su06cgdVV17MEK7jgwBInyognJlFOY4Rt2hRwk6hCprSSiyOqGfpusYLuNday6TOv5vodFSbXwRfw-qmKH0UTBnNwwFVCu2z42Hwk0tCs7suiVJaqZJy0Iv9sOqqAfylY5Q/s400/terumbu+semakau.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl19su06cgdVV17MEK7jgwBInyognJlFOY4Rt2hRwk6hCprSSiyOqGfpusYLuNday6TOv5vodFSbXwRfw-qmKH0UTBnNwwFVCu2z42Hwk0tCs7suiVJaqZJy0Iv9sOqqAfylY5Q/s400/terumbu+semakau.jpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of Semakau Lanfill and nearby submerged reefs.<br />
[Google map by Ria Tan]</td></tr>
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The shoreline is pretty long. You can probably walk the whole shore within the intertidal period if you only focus on the walking aspect, do nothing but walk.<br />
<a name='more'></a>We covered the northwestern part of the shore for today's trip, just opposite Terumbu Raya.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/porifera/tangled.htm" target="_blank">tangled sponge</a> (<i>Callyspongia samarensis</i>) is in abundance and widely spread around on this part of the reef. They look like bunches of green chewy licorice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000994.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tangled sponge</td></tr>
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It has been quite some time since I last seen this little fellow moving about on a reef (or maybe it had been sometime since I took notice of it). This is a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/arachnida/desis.htm" target="_blank">marine spider</a> (<i>Desis martensi</i>). It is commonly seen on many of our shores, hides in air pockets among crevices during high tide and comes out to hunt at low tide.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000999.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine spider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I was walking around on the reef, a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/cephalopoda/reefoctopus.htm" target="_blank">reef octopus</a> came out of a crevice under a sponge for a short while but it quickly returned into the hole as I approached.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glimpse of the reef octopus</td></tr>
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While staying on the spot waiting for the octopus and hoping that it will come out again, I spotted a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/blueline.htm" target="_blank">blue-lined flatworm</a> moving among the seaweeds.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-lined flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On this northern part of Semakau Landfill, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seagrass/enhalus.htm" target="_blank">tape seagrass</a> (<i>Enhalus acoroides</i>) are rather sparsely dispersed and looked cropped with broken leaf tips.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tage seagrass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another plant that is dispersed in clumps over the shore is the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/plants/seaweed/rhodophyta/lacy.htm" target="_blank">lacy red seaweed</a> (<i>Martensia elengas</i>). They looked like sea mash of interesting lattice work encrusted with algae. When looked closely at the seaweed, one might think that it is fragments of disintegrated mash or some kind of fishing net.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lacy rea seaweed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also came across a few <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/gigantea.htm" target="_blank">giant carpet anemone</a> (<i>Stichodactyla gigantea</i>) but none of them had signs to show presence of the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/pomacentridae/ocellaris.htm" target="_blank">false clown anemonefish</a> (<i>Amphiprion ocellaris</i>).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant carpet anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/cypraeidae/ovum.htm" target="_blank">ovum cowrie</a> (<i>Cypraea ovum</i>) looks like the animal just died recently. Its shell is still clean and shiny. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview of cowrie shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside of ovum cowrie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However this <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/cypraeidae/tigris.htm" target="_blank">tiger cowrie</a> (<i>Cypraea tigris</i>) is very much alive and is a fast moving cowrie. It was Chay Hoon who spotted the tiger cowrie and alerted me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001149.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell and mantle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is an interesting small crab which I regret not giving it more attention when I saw it on the shore. After looking at this photo more carefully, I suspect that this could be the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/ocypodoidea/ilyoplax.htm" target="_blank">semaphore crab</a> (<i>Ilyoplax sp.</i>). It was difficult to get the crab to move into a better position as it will move into hiding. After few attempts of fail crab coaxing, the crab when into a burrow.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semaphore crab?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were a few <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/star.htm" target="_blank">wiggly reef star anemone</a> seen on the sandy reef and it is one shy anemone. Most of them that I came across retracts itself into the sand as I approach the anemone closer. This was the only anemone which I was able to take picture of.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiggly reef star anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/rubropapulosa.htm" target="_blank">orange-spotted gymnodoris nudibranch</a> (<i>Gymnodoris rubropapulosa</i>) seems to be in season today. I saw about 4 of them on this trip.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001068.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange-spotted gymnodoris nudibranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feathery gills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhinophores</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other sea slugs seen on this trip includes two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/nigra.htm" target="_blank">black phyllid nudibranch</a> (<i>Phyllidiella nigra</i>) and a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/slugs/nudibranchia/atromarginata.htm" target="_blank">black-margined nudibranch</a> (<i>Glossodoris atromarginata</i>)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001073.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black phyllid nudibranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-margined nudibranch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While checking out this reefy part of Semakau, I also looked at the beautiful corals closer to the reef edge. We were also on the look out for coral bleaching, as coral bleaching sightings have been noted on some corals at the nearby reef at Pulau Hantu. Here are some of the corals I saw on this trip.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000995.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/oculinidae/galaxea.htm" target="_blank">Galaxy coral </a>(<i>Galaxea sp.</i>)?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152000996.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/faviidae/faviidae.htm" target="_blank">Favid coral</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/euphyllidae/glabrescens.htm" target="_blank">Torch anchor coral</a> (<i>Euphyllia glabrescens</i>)?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/mussidae/symphyllia.htm" target="_blank">Grooved brain coral</a>?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/faviidae/maze/mazejigsaw.htm" target="_blank">Jigsaw maze favid coral</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/acroporidae/monbranch.htm" target="_blank">Branching montipora coral</a> (<i>Montipora sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/mussidae/symphyllia.htm" target="_blank">Grooved brain coral</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/152001058.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/coralhard/fungiidae/circular.htm" target="_blank">Circular mushroom coral</a> (<i>Fungia sp.</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This marks the end of the morning intertidal trips as the tide takes a turn and the low tides transits to evenings. Also, tides in the fourth quarter of the year are not as low as we get during the pre-dawn trips, but that does not mean that we stop checking our shores.<br />
<br />
We would probably be taking a slightly longer break before we resume our evening trips. So stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b><br />
Kok Sheng - <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2013/08/reefy-splendor-of-northern-semakau.html" target="_blank">Reefy splendor of Northern Semakau</a><br />
Ria - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/08/pulau-semakaus-reefy-northern-shore.html#.UhtKrmQY3I0" target="_blank">Pulau Semakau's reefy northern shore</a>pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9139122.post-50055616799427823512013-08-21T21:24:00.000+08:002013-08-26T21:15:30.076+08:00Huge sea star and orange flatworm at Chek JawaExactly one month ago, a small team of us visited Chek Jawa for an intertidal survey trip. During that trip, we covered the Eastern and Northeastern part of Chek Jawa. You can read about my sightings from my earlier <a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/07/my-first-chek-jawa-intertidal-survey.html" target="_blank">post</a> about that trip.<br />
<br />
Today we visited Chek Jawa again for another intertidal survey, but we started from the Southern side (in front of House No. 1) and worked our way towards the Chek Jawa front beacon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986292.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chek Jawa Front beacon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started off by checking the pillars of the jetty in front of House No. 1 at Chek Jawa.<br />
<a name='more'></a>The first animals that I encounter was the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/anomura/hermit/clibanarius.htm" target="_blank">striped hermit crab</a> (<i>Clibanarius infraspinatus</i>). This hermit crab is very commonly seen on our shores and usually orange, but the one I saw was blue. Such colour is not commonly seen.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985846.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped hermit crab in blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This looks like a the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/sandstripe.htm" target="_blank">striped sand anemone</a>. It is slightly retracted, showing only the tentacles with white bands.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striped sand anemone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This poor <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/nassariidae/nassariidae.htm" target="_blank">whelk</a> has its shell surface almost fully occupied by a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/snail.htm" target="_blank">snail-hitching sea anemone</a>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985853.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snail-hitching sea anemone on a whelk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What kind of anemone is this? Hmm.... I am not able to identify this anemone. It has a dark coloured band that spreads across the width of the anemone.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985856.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown anemone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the pillar, there were a number of flying insects flying around and I managed to capture on that is resting on the pillar. It looks like some kind of fly.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985848.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying insect resting on the pillar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Higher up the pillar, the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/mollusca/gastropoda/neritidae/articulata.htm" target="_blank">lined nerite snail</a> (<i>Nerita articulata</i>) leaves a trail of slime on the pillar surface where ever it moves. You cannot put the nerite snail back where you took from as the snail will retract into its shell when disturbed. This will cause the suction between the surface and snail to be cut off.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985849.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Line nerite snail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Can you spot the animal in this pictures?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985850.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who and Where am I?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is a juvenile <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/crab/grapsidae/metopograpsus.htm" target="_blank">purple climber crab</a> (<i>Metopograpsus sp.</i>). Can you see it?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985854.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple climber crab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
A poor fish swam too close to a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/actiniaria/haddoni.htm" target="_blank">haddon's carpet anemone</a> (<i>Stichodactyla haddoni</i>) and got stung. The anemone them slowly pulls the stunned fish towards its oral disk. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpet anemone caught a fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The moving of the fish towards the anemone's oral disk was captured on video, but I had to abandon it due to the noisy and annoying mosquitoes pestering around me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AcHkJ8loJ78" width="480"></iframe></div>
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<br />
On other pillars, I spotted a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/indicus.htm" target="_blank">blue-spotted flatworm</a> (<i>cf Pseudoceros indicus</i>) on a group of ascidian looking animal. Could it be feeding on them?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985860.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-spotted flatworm.<br />
Feeding?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were quite a number of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/others/gorgonacea/gorgonacea.htm" target="_blank">sea fan or gorgonians</a> towards the end of the jetty.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea fan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985916.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/others/gorgonacea/candelabra.htm" target="_blank">Candelabra sea fan</a> (<i>Euplexaura sp.</i>)?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986190.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/cnidaria/others/gorgonacea/gnarled.htm" target="_blank">Gnarled sea fan</a> (<i>Echinomuricea pulchra</i>)?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While checking out the sea fans, Mei Lin accidentally encountered a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/vertebrates/fish/dasyatidae/walga.htm" target="_blank">mangrove whipray</a> (<i>Himantura waiga</i>) right in front of her foot and she froze on the spot for a short while. We were in about shin deep waters.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986280.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove whipray</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are plenty of <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/goniodiscaster.htm" target="_blank">biscuit sea stars</a> (<i>Goniodiscaster scaber</i>) at Chek Jawa and they come in various sizes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985922.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biscuit sea star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Near the beacon, there are two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/protoreaster.htm" target="_blank">knobbly sea stars</a> (<i>Protoreaster nodosus</i>), though they looked kind of lonely together.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986289.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knobbly sea stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along the way to the beacon, I came across a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/asteroidea/anthenea.htm" target="_blank">huge cake sea star</a> (<i>Anthenea aspera</i>). This is the largest cake sea star I have seen. I have a photo of my size 8 bootie next to the sea star for size comparison.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake sea star</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986284.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comparison between sea star size and sponge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986285.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea star size compared to my size 8 bootie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986288.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's bigger than my hand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Such a huge cake sea star makes photography of details a lot easier. Finally, I could get a good picture of the tiny bivalve pedicellariae on the underside of the cake sea star.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151985927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny bivalve pedicellariae</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mei Lin spotted two <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/polycladida/baibaiye.htm" target="_blank">little ruby flatworms</a> (<i>Phrikoceros baibaiye</i>). It is very easy to miss this flatworm as they looked like orange melted sponge or ascidians. They are quite active and move rather fast, but not the fastest flatworm I had encounter. (*warning* The colour may be too striking for your eyes.)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986176.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little ruby flatworm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986180.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving away quickly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While heading to the Chek Jawa Front beacon, this poor <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/alphsmooth.htm" target="_blank">smooth snapping shrimp</a> (<i>Alpheus sp.</i>) was stranded on the sand.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side profile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986186.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth snapping shrimp stranded on sand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, I took the snapping shrimp and place it in a nearby shallow pool with a burrow. The shrimp was happy to be back in water and it went into the burrow quickly.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth snapping shrimp in shallow pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I saw the <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/crustacea/othercrust/shrimp/red.htm" target="_blank">red shrimp</a> again at Chek Jawa in a vast patch of seagrass. However I did not observe the head in burrowing behaviour I saw yesterday at Pulau Sekudu.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986195.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red shrimp hiding among seagrass and sea lettuce seaweed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we end the trip, a <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/worm/nemertea/red.htm" target="_blank">red ribbon worm</a> emerges from its burrow and stayed stationary on the sand for what we would considered as a long period of time. It is usually very difficult to photograph this worm as they retract into their burrows at the slightest sense light or disturbance.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://www.pbase.com/peiyan/image/151986279.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red ribbon worm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My second intertidal survey trip to Chek Jawa is made possible with permission from NParks. Also not forgetting the crazy small group of us who woke up around 2 am on a working day for this trip.<br />
<br />
Do not ask me how I did it or how manage to survive the work day because I have no clue how I manged it but somehow, I did and survived.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Posts by others on this trip:</u></b><br />
Kok Sheng - <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.sg/2013/08/a-glimpse-of-glorious-beacon-area-at.html" target="_blank">A glimpse of the glorious beacon area at Chek Jawa</a><br />
Mei Lin - <a href="http://www.psychedelic-nature.blogspot.sg/2013/08/chek-jawa-checkup-21082013.html" target="_blank">Chek Jawa checkup - 21082013</a><br />
Ria Tan - <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.sg/2013/08/alive-at-chek-jawa-beacon.html" target="_blank">Alive at the Chek Jawa beacon</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>My past post on Chek Jawa intertidal:</u></b><br />
<a href="http://peiyansama.blogspot.sg/2013/07/my-first-chek-jawa-intertidal-survey.html" target="_blank">My first Chek Jawa intertidal survey trip</a></div>
pei yanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12715199302664499544noreply@blogger.com0