Things I should not be seeing...

Iguanas look soooo out of place in Singapore. It's like all of a sudden you don't know if you've just been teleported to the zoo iguana exhibit.

What's this island coming to? Iguanas aren't native animals. They couldn't even be found in 'the wild' before, unlike their distant cousins the Red-eared sliders (terrapins), which are now found in every lake and pond thanks - or no thanks - to irresponsible pet owners from yonder years. So ok, that iguana at Sungei Buloh made one. And now, out of nowhere, appears another one (which makes two) at the Botanic Gardens. I asked the NParks staff there. He seemed quite proud that the Gardens is home to the metre-long reptile. It was first spotted there three weeks ago, he said, and they have no plans to relocate it elsewhere. Hmmm... I'm not sure if that'll be wise. They should. True, this lizard looks quite happy and healthy and at ease amongst the reeds and ducks and dragonflies of Symphony Lake, but I doubt if it'll live long feeding on grass and soil and plastic bags and rubber bands and dried bread. The little kids were screaming and wailing and their parents were constantly warning them not to go near the iguana. "It's dangerous, later it bite you ah." Heh... they're missing out man. That iguana was quite friendly... I played with it for a while, feeding it leaves and berries from my hand, and I think the parents who were watching half-hoped that it would claw at my hand and chomp off a finger... just to show their kids they were right. Heh, they don't know any better. They're such gentle giants.

Aside from that odd reptile, I didn't see anything else special. They're upgrading some parts of the Gardens and Swan Lake and so the birdlife there is no longer as interesting.


Iguana


Close-up


Spotted dove - adult


Spotted dove - juvenile


White-vented mynah. Juvenile on the left - note its bluish iris, sloppy posture and messy feathers. Also... it keeps its bill open and calls for attention often - typical begging behaviour.


Eurasian tree sparrow


Male Changeable lizard in breeding colours


The chopper-like Slender skimmer (Orthetrum sabina sabina)

posted by Husky @ 4/27/2005 09:07:00 AM  |