wetlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Vol 10 No 1
Dec 2002

snakes: myth & reality

fell & fly: about poems

finding & growing native plants
merope angulata

glochidion littorale

the kingfisher experience

wetland rainforest
the sungei buloh mangroves

how sungei
buloh 'got' me

world environment
day: 5 jun 02

back home again
   how sungei buloh
'got' me
Awakened by the true beauty of Sungei Buloh, volunteer Tham Pui San discloses how this wetland reserve captivated and captured his imagination, leading him to fulfil his desire to contribute to this unique ecosystem.
I was looking around for suitable spots for my nature photography and outdoor painting. I did not chance upon SBWR, but knew it was there to be visited if I could not find anywhere else to go. That was the attitude I had towards SBWR. There. was no particular reason for me'to return to SBWR, especially after a rather bad episode of an extended period of allergy from our winged bloodsucking friends, on my first visit in 1996.

Now, when I think about it, that excuse was indeed frivolous. To be put off by mosquitoes, forsaking the undiscovered wonders of SBWR is unjustly unthinkable for any nature lover.

My second chance encounter with SBWR came about on a photographic outing with my interest group in Dec 2001. That "rediscovery" of SBWR's attractions changed my mind entirely. From then on, I was there practically every weekend and sometimes, on weekdays, I would take leave from work to enjoy the peace and serenity to sketch and paint.

Taking walks along the various routes, boardwalks and occasional sidetrack enabled me to uncover some wonders every now and then. In early Feb, I was digiscoping at Hide 2A when I witnessed a failed attack by a water monitor on an egret, which managed to escape with apparently only ruffled feathers. At the same pond on the next day, four otters made my day when they appeared out of nowhere, frolicking where I was sketching by the pond. The excitement got me messaging my wife, my children and nature friends. It took me several minutes to get over the thrill of sighting wild otters right here in urban Singapore! What a magical sight and moment of discovery for me!

Were the sightings fortuitous or do they happen all the time, without us humans bearing witness to such excitement? A quiet walk and patient observation could yield some answers. There are the beautiful spiders of various descriptions, providing much interest to Arachnid fans, mantis that could be mistaken for twigs, fish that spit at insects, and the list goes on.

Not forgetting that I was seeking birds and landscape in the first place, which abound in the reserve, how could I become so insensitive to such beauty and wonder that a habitat like this could provide, and not become involved in a constructive way with this wonderful reserve. I decided I must do something.

I approached a helpful counter staff, Andrew, about the volunteer scheme and that afternoon, Keith contacted me, setting the path for me to become one.

Interested to attend an art workshop conducted by Pui San? Call 679 41401.
   
© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve