Beting Bronok Exploratory Trip

I was told to look out for stingray if I am going to Beting Bronok (BB) as my CH was stung by sting-ray just last month also during an exploratory trip.

True enough, we saw this Mangrove Whip Ray (Himantura walga) half burried in the sands and it remains there even when I move just next to it to take photo. When the water is clear, no problem of spotting it and just do a detour. If the water is milky, the risks of stepping onto one will be very high. Sting-ray have a very sharp spine at their tail and can easily puncture our shoe when we accidentally step on them.

I also saw this very pretty Blue spotted fantail ray (Taeniura lymma). Blue spotted ray are quite a shy fish and will swim away once we get near them.Is the breeding seasons for this Hairy sea hare (Bursatella leachi). There are just every where.
This is another quite common but rarely seen Polybranchia orientalis slug as their colouration and shape of algae, made it difficult to spot. Their cerata will just drop when disturbed.

A very unique Blue dragon (Pteraeolidia ianthina) nudibranch that are labeled as solar power ready! The juveniles feed on zooxanthellae-rich hydroids to recruit them. The zooxanthellae will multiply in the nudibranch tissues. The zooxanthellae will photosynthesized and past the nutrient to the nudibranch!We also saw this Discodoris boholensis nudi.There are lots of sea star at BB such as this Biscuit Star (Giniodiscaster scaber).
Not just biscuit, there are lots of Cake Sea Star (Anthenea aspera) too. We sae the one on top and also some with pink colour.
The Sea Pen take the opportunity in fast moving water to filter-feed.
I am not sure why the colour of this Ghost shrimp is not the usual orange /red.
During spring low tide, the tide will go down very fast and very low. These file fish was caught unprepared and trapped in this very tiny tidal pool.
This Moray eel face the same situation and got stranded on the dry area.
This little Butterfly fish is happily swimming among the seaweed.I spotted 11 Sea horses this morning and is one of my highest count in any one trip.
There are lots of Onxy cowry (Cypraea onyx) too.

Less than 1 cm, this Allied cowrie need a very sharp eyes if you thinking of finding them.
This Noble volute is quite big in size compare with volute that I saw at Changi.
The highlight of the day is this very beautiful and rare Bailer shell.

Best Changi Experience!

My trip to Changi so far is only during low tide and have long been wanted to visit during a super low tide. Either my schedule doesn't allow or due to bad weather. I happen to be free this morning and got the chance to visit there during super low tide and is proven to be my best Changi trip ever. What make my day is not just the animals that can be found but a real touching story that every nature lovers will like to hear!

I arrived at Changi about 5.45am and since the Wildfilms team are here too, I join them for the exploration. There are quite a number of fishing rods on the shore and we have to watch our steps not to get entangle or cut by the fishing line. We split and explore the different area on the shore... (Other interesting animals that we see this morning are posted as Part II)

There are several family camping overnight there and they also took the opportunity to explore the shore. We feel sad when they start to collect things they found on the shore including a noble volute and keep it inside the bag they brought along. Siti have a casual talk to them on our precious shore and the animals will look best on where they from and not in tank or aquarium.

Well, after about 30 minutes one of the family member brought the plastic bag and told us that they want to return their catch to the sea. We thank him and take it out to see what is inside the bag.One of it is the noble volute that we saw earlier and another big 'empty shell' and looks like a Baler shell which is also relative of noble volute and is a highly endengered animal due to over harvesting.

Oh No!!! Is alive! Never would I believe that we are able to see it again here. Is a real, big and beautiful Melo melo! The last time baler shell was spotted is about a year ago also at Changi. It was also from one of the collectors' bag that we got to see it. But that person refuse to return it to the sea even knowing it was an highly endengered creature.

Hopefully this Baler shell would survive and continue to multiply. What a happy ending for today's trip!!

After taking a few photos, I return it to where it suppose to be. This prove that all the efforts that nature lovers/volunteers put in is not waisted! There are good people around and we shall continue to create even more awareness.

Peoples on this trip include Ria, Siti, CH & HB.