Sunday, 27 August 2006
SBWR Volunteers 10th Anniversary
Yesterday could easily have been one of my most enjoyable days at Sungei Buloh - it was a day of camaradarie and fun - nature walks with Krish the guide of all guides, boat rides around the estuaries of the Reserve, ceremonies of appreciation, sing-along sessions, banner-writing and terracotta moulding, video documentary viewing (who better than David Attenborough for an hour of educational entertainment?), catered buffet tea and dinner, and top top it off, a night walk in the Reserve, during which we saw many beautiful invertebrates, Puff-faced watersnakes, and even fireflies. Ria managed to make it for the night walk, after having presented at the NYEF pre-forum event in the morning. I was really glad she came, when we had at the chance to talk, to catch up, and best of all to wander about in Buloh together, accompanied by our faithful Nikons. (When I crawled out of bed today, she had already posted on the Wildfilms blog!)
Through the years, we have seen the volunteer group grow… there are so many new faces, all so enthusiastic and best of all, they're getting younger. The former staff and old-time veterans of Buloh were all around, as where the NParks big bosses. It was all chit-chatty and happy, a celebration of the group which helped make Buloh the success it is today: not only the official recognition of it as an international and regional natural heritage site, but also all the new animals which have been making Buloh their home these years.
It's been an honour to be a part of the family, and it's what's been helping me nurture my passion in nature since the early ages. At the banner-writing session, someone recommended that I write, "I grew up here!" - which wasn't far from the truth.
A group of volunteers enjoying their ride
Mangrove crabs are good climbers
A Puff-faced watersnake. There were hordes of these at the aquatic plant pond!
A beautiful little moth - ID t.b.c.
Hatched spiderlings
There was a sleeping tailorbird by the path… didn't wanna flash it so just took a record shot
Saw a few Ornamental treetrunk spiders
A spikey Lynx spider
An ant-mimicking crab spider eating the weaver ant it mimics
Chrysalis of the Short Banded Sailor
And more photos of animals and people on Zoto.
