It was raining cats and dogs when we arrived at Semakau Landfill that afternoon. Fortunately, it was a passing shower. Soon enough, we reached the site where we began our run through the secondary coastal forest. Our plans to dash across were stalled as the soil was flooded. There were not much mosquitoes hunting at this time. Perhaps, the rain had just stopped and there was not ample time to launch an attack. We were greeted with a surprise. Some branches of what i believed to be that of a seagrape hung down low enough to warrant our attention.
 Grapes, anyone?
I snapped this in a rush but reckoned that this should be the Seagrape. It seemed like the leaves were round and large while its fruits appeared in a cluster.  Giant clams spotting a marine creature in action  'Poo' excreted by the Acorn Worm These were the droppings of the acorn worm. Acorn worm are deposit feeders. They take in the nutritious organic matter from sand or mud. Then, they remove the waste through coil-like sediments shown above. Acorn worms are hard to spot.  Sandstars mating? We were able to spot a number of seastars after we crossed the seagrass lagoon. This was one of my stations and it was a little nerve-wrecking. I was fumbling my notes when i started not because i don't know my facts but somehow having the notes in my hand seemed reassuring. And, of course, that was a wrong move. I saw how my visitors lost contact with me. To revive the situation and with Samson's help, i managed to interest them by holding the seastar and pointed to them the anatomy of this creature - its tube feet, its penta-radial symmetry, how it moves via a water vascular system, how it can regenerate its arm, its relation to echinoderms, its feeding processes and how they reproduce. There's a real lesson to be learnt, perhaps i should prepare my notes on index cards. That way, i won't feel so "gan-cheong". 
As we made our way towards the reefs, we also spotted the hairy crab. I was told that the hairy crab is mildly poisonous if consumed because of its diet of zoanthids and seaweed. But it is largely a harmless animal.  Baby Noble Volute At the spot where we saw the resident noble volute laying its eggs, there's a baby volute spotted by one of our hunter-seekers. Alongside this was an empty volute shell and a moon snail.  Moon snail (Front) & empty volute shell (back)
 fan worm
Samson also spotted this fan worm. Perhaps, a keen eye to spot things along the way, is a must for a guide.
 Assortment of sea cucumbers
My next station consisted of three sea cucumbers, the sandfish, the ocellated and one i could not make out. As you know, sea cucumbers are a delicacy amongst Asians especially the Chinese in new year dishes. If you spot a sea cucumber releasing water while it is in water, it is actually taking the oxygen out of the water. Of course, they would also do so and even excrete out their guts when they are stressed or threatened by a potential predator. But not to worry, sea cucumbers can actually regenerate.
 swimming crab
This is a swimming crab that Robert spotted and giant clams spared no time snapping pictures of this creature.
 Giant Clams from Kampong Kapor with a knobbly
Although we spotted the giant clam, unfortunately, some of us (i'm guilty too) actually disturbed the clarity of the waters and made the area muddy. Despite that, Samson's ultra torchlight managed to show the magnifience of this creature as we shared the symbiotic relationship it had with the algae.
Once again, many thanks to Samson & the Giant Clams who enjoyed the trip! |
