Thomson Nature Park

Thomson Nature Park is unique for its heritage, a former Hainan village and key conservation for critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur.

 Not a very big park, just 50-hectare in size. There are a lot of surprises awaiting for those who pay attention enough of the surrounding.

 Without boardwalk, not the best method but is good enough to prevent the root flatten by park goers.

 The sign of formal village is everywhere, such as this mosaic floor.

 The pillar and partial wall was left behind to tell the story of the settlers who arrived from China.

 The nature had reclaimed the area once lost to the civilisation.

This remind me of my childhood. I spend quite some time everyday watching my guppy fish in the salted egg urn (on the top left corner). Almost every family will have at least one to keep rain water.

Other than the "lost village", there are lots of creatures waiting to be found just like any nature reserve or forest. Due to low lighting, can't have a clear shot of this forest cockroach.

 A very beautiful living gem stone... a Red Chilocorus ladybug beetle.

 A close-up look of a Yellow Ladybug beetle.

 Lots of jumping spiders if you like macro shots.

 Elegant golden jumping spider

The best chance to have a glimpse of critically endangered Raffles’ Banded Langur will be here if you are lucky. I should try my luck here again soon. :)

Fun Day at Sungai Buloh 15 December 07

After the long winded monsoon rain for the past 2 weeks, the weather is extremely good on Saturday. Bunch of nature lovers cum bloggers were out on the field again. Although started slightly later than scheduled time, the temperature remains comfortable around 27 degree C throughout the trip. The low temperature helps to made taking photo easier as the insect will not be too active.

It was really fun to have a group of friends sharing the same interest out on the field trying to compete with each other who’s the “Best Photographer of The Year”!

Whenever insect was spotted, the whole gang will zoooomm….. try to get the best shot of the spiders.

We have tide chaser, urban forest, colourful clouds, ashira, where discovery begins & justin dive.


tide chaser & urban forest compete with each other (earlier photo) over this fly while c c checking the end result.
One camera always standby behind another camera....
The most enjoyable and highlight of the day as mentioned by urban forest is this high jump champion - jumping spider. Several method were seen used by the group.... whisper,

showing the spider her beautiful photo
fren-fren, buddy-buddy.....The spider seems to enjoy the hospitality provided by the group..... she visit one after another just to make sure everybody have the fair share of attention --- very professional model!!

Sometimes ago during the kampong days, before the invention of video game, catching spider and spider fighting is one of the favorites past time activities after school among kids. Well, times changed. Now with technology, the rules of the game have also changed. The winner no longer need to have the most ‘garang’ spiders but to have the best cover shot of the spiders….ha ha

Side track a bit..... Looks like Olympus & Pentax are the 2 most welcome cameras over Canon. (Mmmmm.... Canon really need to do something on the features instead of just banging on ease of printing and the pixel. )To win this kind of special competition, camera is not the only deciding factors already! The ability to communicate and talk to the insect is the key!!! Special tips.... don't apply or apply minimum insect repellent if need to.... who's the winner? I leave it to you. :-)


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Noticed that the water monitor lizard are getting lesser especially the bigger one around the fresh water pond area.... just curious

Ubin Walk 24 June 07

It was a perfect Sunday for a good outdoor activities. Tall coconut trees + blue skies = tropical paradise. Yes, I was at Ubin again last Sunday. We make our way slowly from the jetty to Nordin Beach and take our own sweet times to look at the plants, insect & animals that disappear long time ago over at the mainland Singapore mainly due to our modern living!

Is the Durian season again. Is durian every where... some were right on top of the road! There's a myth about durian. According to the grandmother story - durian got 'eyes'. They will not falls on human's head. Have you ever heard of someone got hit by falling durian??

Rambutans are turning red too...

This is the 'fruit' of rubber tree. When the seeds are mature and dry enough, it will just explode and disperse the seeds to the ground.

Not sure what fruits or plant is this.

Photo above showing Ants plant (Dischidia major). This plant has two leaf forms - round fleshy leaf and specialized hollow leaf. A tiny hole at the base of the hollow leaf provide entrace to ants and in return ants bring in organic debris that in turn becomes food for the plant.

This moth/butterfly has a very unique pattern on the back. Looks like a lipstick marks!

There are many different types of insects on the island.

And spiders too. The spider above is having her big breakfast!!
Got to see this beautiful wood pecker in action.
We saw this startling fluorescent green Oriental Whip Snake.
A closer look at this beautiful snake.
There are lots of Onch slug at Nordin beach.
Fiddler crab that only 'surface' during low tide for their meal. They will just go burrow and breath on the trapped air bubble in their burrow. Both photos above are male - male will have one extra large pincer for courtship and defence. However, they can't use the enlarged pincer for feeding.
Not sure what crab is this.

We slowly make our way back to jetty after we take a few minutes break at Nordin beach. We meet up with Ron & CH (they finish guiding the Sensory Trail few minutes ago and are waiting for us to go for lunch together.) We have our wonderful lunch at Ubin before taking the ferry back to Changi Jetty... mmhhh yummy yummy!