Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Exploration @ Tuas Coast

I'm out again today to catch the low tide over at the coastal area at Tuas behind a manufacturing plant. The seagrass team from the plant is ready to perform transect right behind their work place at Tuas Coast. Although the tide table showing -0.1m at 6.05pm, the water level however is at a rather high level throughout the whole evening. We didin't manage to walk to the beacon without getting pants and shirt wet. Must prepare to swim over or allow the sea water level to reach chest hight before can reach the beacon. Well, Ron did managed to reach the beacon after multiple attempts towards the end of our walk, but is too dark to see anything with the high water level.
This Sand star was rather skinny was spotted by Helen and is the only sea star we saw for this trip.

Sea pen.

This jelly fish is beautiful. Is small but very energetic, never want to slow down for us to take a nice shot of her.

Since theere is no sign that the water level is going down further, we continue the walk with the water at knee high and most photos were taken under water. This is also my first experience of having a tidal exploration in the water for the entire walk. Luckily with the technology, now most camera are equipped with water proving ability without having to add additional casing.
There are lots of thunder crab roamming freely in the water. The photo on the left showing a female crab with thousands of egg.

Close up shot on this beautiful sea anemones

There are lots of sponges too, this one looks like a honeycomb.

Softcorals are out for feeding too

There are lots of hydroid and sea squirt too.

Not forgetting hard corals, softcorls and sponges of all kinds and colours.
Suprisingly, we didn't see a lot of swimming crabs as compare with other southern shores in Singapore. Those that we have spotted (only 4 or 5) mainly about 4 to 6cm. Managed to take this sea fan about 1.2m under sea water.

Helen was shouting something swim below to hide under a rock! I quickly aim my camera and take the photo. I didn't see any thing at that time and only realised is a toadfish after uploaded to my PC.

Before we end our walk while on the way back, we saw this pink sea cucumber. With the water at knee hight, we also spotted alot of blue spotted fantail stingray. We will come back again when the tide is really low to visit this hard to reach coastal of Singapore.

Thanks to Sheryl, Helen & Haniff for the arrangement and guide.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Another Changi Experience

It was heavy rain over the north part of Singapore around 3.30pm. Don't want to loose another tidal walk opportunity during low tide, I proceed to Changi as usual. The weather is good on the way to Changi.

This is the first sea star that we saw near the sandy area. Not sure if this is a biscuit or crown star.

The length from arm to arm is only about 2.5cm


There are lots of brittle star too...A white sea urchin (Salmacis sphaeroides)Red spiny urchin (Prionocidaris bispinosa)This shell is a bit too small for this beautiful hermit crab.
Sea cucumberAnother beatiful pink sea cucumber

and more of them...
Sea squirt is every whereSand dollarsThis clam is rather big, almost cover the entire palm.Beautiful sea anemone. The water today abit cloudy and didn't able to see any swimming anemones.This shell is beautiful - being occupied by hermit crab.


I didn't really go and look for nudi, especially after the sighting of the big Kalinga ornata nudibranch. I spent most of my time explaining the ecosystem, the tidal changes and how we can help to keep the sea shore alive so that we can always come back and see the living shore for many more years to my young visitor.

Beach Is Closed @ Labrador Nature Reserve

I forgotton that the beach is closed for some improvement works that is going on there. Ah... should have checked in advance! Just missed another tidal walk when the tide is low today, 24 Nov 07 (Sat)...



Monday, November 12, 2007

Changi Beach Surprise

I'm back at Changi beach after my last visit few month months ago. This time round, I have a few friends with me to explore this wonderful beach over the eastern part of Singapore. Peiya also join us here with her friend.


We saw lots of tiny crabs include several type of swimming crab and moon crabs.
A leaf porter crab taking cover under a piece of floating dry leaf.


Another leaf porter crab taking a ride under a piece of wood

This tiny crab that smaller than my finger is a baby moon crabs.

Not forgetting beautiful hermit crab
Brittle stars
Sand stars
Horse shoe crab

Bristle worms

There are lots of sea squirt
This large animal is Kalinga ornata as suggested by CH.
Close up of the naked gills

Not much info are available for this alien-look nudibranch. The red dot as seen in the photo will be fully extended whle in the water. Fact sheet on this species can be found on the Sea Slug Forum.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Ode to the grass...

Small in size, yet a great explorer, travel and settles at places where others are reluctant,
Bringing beautiful green to dull wasteland,
turning barren soil to fertile land, provide food & shelter
Grass - you are green silent hero!

Below is the lyric from one of the very popular song during 80's. Is one of the very motivating song as well.

大风起, 把头摇一摇
风停了,又挺直腰
大雨来, 弯著背让雨浇
雨停了 抬起头, 站直脚
不怕风不怕雨,立志要飞高

小草实在是并不小!
I always find it very soothing standing infront of green field... on the same 'green carpet', there are several of different species living together and they have nice flowers too!
They also provide food and shelter to many insects and animals...
Attracted by the beautiful flower...