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Dogged Wanderings has moved!!

No need to change bookmarks or anything... I'll take care of the redirections.

Just know that there's a new blog here (although, depending on who you are, you might be better off bookmarking this other blog instead). :P

More on Project NOAH

There's so much I'm thinking and would like to say but I lack the energy to gather my thoughts and pen them down. Besides, others far more well-grounded in the situation have already spoken. I can only echo their opinions.

Full coverage on wildsingapore.com.

I remain highly skeptical and I do have my reservations. I support the notion that we should put our techonologies and knowledge to the test, but it should NOT be done at the expense of our fragile reefs, at least, not in the field and not at P. Hantu. Say, can't trials be held first, and elsewhere? Forget the commercial incentives for the time being. If they can't then this is, like what others say, businesses just seeing cha-ching-ing opportunities in taking advantage of our marine areas.

Not that the rest of us demand that the project be halted completely, but they shouldn't even think of starting work on it when they haven't fully done their research and laid out their plans proper. As things appear, they have not thought of what exactly will happen and what or how they are going to do it. And what surprises me even more is how a few prominent individuals - scientists and conservationists - are so strongly backing this project. The S'pore Environment Council and Nature Society are supporters as well, no less. If they really see the benefits of this, then I say to them: convince us. They are failing miserably in this aspect, for the reasoning against Project NOAH is overwhelming.

From the press release:

My first thought was... what a load of crap. For many of the points.

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While we're on the subject matter, have a look at some really cool scenes of coral spawning at the waters of the Raffles Lighthouse. :)

Less than two more days...

Why am I so relaxed??! Por que?

I've read and revised but I don't think I can remember. I won't know if I've remembered until until I write them out. I won't be able to write everything out until I'm staring at the actual paper.

2-month-old guppies

Compare them now with a month ago. If genetics are anything to come by, their father should be one which looks like Male#9. (Yes, the tank needs cleaning.)

On my way to the Sandwich Shop

This was from a while back. Just realised I haven't yet published it. More about this 'old English charm' here.

Bird numbers in London

Something I never knew before:

"The number of bird species in London declines from 77 in the outer suburbs to 50 in the inner and 43 in the city centre." (Pullin, 2002)

Species richness in urban areas declines towrds the city centre, but I never knew what the figures were.

It begins

It amazes me. It's almost like raising an underground army. 'Cept that the army is already there, it's always been there, and now they are revealing their faces and dusting the grit from their armour. They are rallying to the call of the horn.

"Cause who knows what the future holds?
(who knows what the future holds? )

Cause who knows what your future holds
(this is what your future holds)"

The President and the Council have written back. Not as One but as Individuals.

Things are getting exciting. Things are staring to happen.

One word: Hope.

Actually, add another: Faith.

And wait.

With that, I slip back into my world of the struggling undergrad.

On conservation - "people, politics and problems"

It was bold move. I wanted to make a statement, not start a revolution. (Although the maverick in me would have been pleased at the latter.) I had originally intended to send it only to the BESGroup mailing loop, but I ended up sending it to all the major mailing lists. To a good many hundred people. I have not yet sent it to the official NSS bird group loop, for I initially lacked the courage. Anyway, I'm sure they'd have heard about this by now.

It started off with Prof Wee's posting on the BESGroup blog regarding the Avifauna. It caused a little uproar, with people speaking out in defence of the NSS, countered by others who believed in revealing the whole truths: "Sweeping it under the carpet does not help."

From there, I dug a deeper hole.

What I wrote:

Many years ago, I was chatting with a fellow nature guide. He asked if I was an NSS member. I said yes. He frowned, and then went on to tell me about why he refuses to (re)join NSS - "Politics, people, problems." At that time, he was the first person I have met to have felt this way. Not having been in the local nature circle long, then I did not understand. But through the years, I came to realise, and know why. Two years ago, I did not renew my membership.

All around us we see 'new-age' conservation and educational groups being formed by enlightened individuals, wisely opting to stay away from the crippling politics of major established bodies such as NSS or NParks. They are bonded to no-one but themselves and a common cause. They are full of youthly vigour - no matter their ages - and best of all, they achieve what they set out to do. To a great extent I'd say they are faring better than the NSS. Have we ever asked why these groups were not, as would have been expected, formed under the wing of the NSS or its specialised subgroups? Why are these groups at the forefront of conservation now, and not the NSS? What has been happening with the NSS?

Sure, the NSS may the 'official' nature conservation body in Singapore, but we must admit that it is getting past its prime. In the past, the way in which it operated might have worked - and its accomplishments are many - but in today's society, imho it should take a step back and face what's happening behind the curtains. Decades of dust and dirt have accumulated and now it's finding it too heavy to move about with? I know that I am in no position to say these things, and I do not claim that I am aware of what exaclty has been happening, but to put it in the simplest words - it does not feel good. Even speaking as I do though, I do not wish to undermine the current efforts of many notable NSS members. The problems do not lie just with the individuals; it's the Society as a whole that needs to address the issues. However that is to be done, I wouldn't know. But something needs to be done, and soon.

Just like in nature, there is the survival of the fittest. New groups have evolved and the NSS is failing to adapt. I do not wish to see it fall apart... it is inevitable that such a big organisation, down its years of existence, will come to be divided into camps, but the greatest sin is to pretend that there is nothing wrong with it.

I deeply admire Prof Wee for his courage to bring this out into the open. I believe it's time all of us talked... openly, frankly, and without fear of repercussions. The hoo-haa with the Singapore Avifauna and the 'betrayal' of hobbyist birders may not seem to be that big an issue with some people but its implications are great. Let's hope it brings about some good.

Responses:

Your letter is very timely and brings out the important issues that NSS has to think about. Bravo. I agree with all your points. They are very well put.

You highlight what many others feel but would not make their feelings public. This is why membership has been on the decline for the last five or more years. I totally agree with you that the society is heading towards irrelevancy, if not already there.

Locally in Singapore leadership rejuvenation is the mantra of the governing party and is good.
Looks like a case of sclerosed leadership in this particular account.
What says the parties ..in this internet era there is no reason to seal the lips.

I am sure others will also be moved to action by it. You may never know the full extent of your influence, but I am sure it has done a lot of good.

Now I know that people have started to write to the NSS President. The NSS Council is afrenzy with meetings. I think the Council must be cursing my name - Who's this young chap who thinks she knows so much? Who dares speak so openly against the NSS?

Nature conservation work has no place for big egos and stagnancy. The NSS should be a partner in our work, not a hindrance.

To quote from a letter I received from someone, a person I have great respect and admiration for:

In NSS, the second type predominates (probably to the exclusion of the first). The social element of NSS is overwhelming. Thus the cliquishness, the obsession with "are you my friend or my enemy?".

People who just want to get work done simply can't get it done at NSS. And if they do want to do at NSS... they have to battle upstream with constant politicking. Nature work is tiring and difficult enough as it is. Having to politick unnecessarily is just too much to deal with for most people.

Allowing a few self-serving, short-sighted elements in NSS to mislead the rest, to speak for the conservation community. This can actually cause serious and irreparable damage to habitats as well as the legitimacy and standing of the community.

If NSS intends to remain a player in conservation, the way ahead is for NSS to remake itself.

That is what we shall wish for. A remaking of the NSS... a new NSS.

Packing again. Caterpillar mysteries, and NSS politics. That's about all for today; no revision done.

Hhaai.

SBG

I picked up my baby from the service centre yesterday. "It was quite a serious problem, we had to replace the mirror box," the technician told me.

Ooh. Orh. The lever, the something-and-something-else... blah blah blah was malfunctioning. She asked if I had still been shooting with it right up till when I brought it in. I nodded. She nodded slowly, "Hmmm..."

Well, all's well now.

Today I've finally obtained a new macro lens - Tamron 90mm f/2.8. It was a tough call between a few contenders and even when at the end my mom agreed to the Nikon 105 micro VR... there's kinda a shortage of it nationwide so I'll hang on to the Tamron first (maybe). It is a legendary lens... tack sharp and almost as good as, if not better than, the Nikon 105.

Hung out for a bit at the Botanic Gardens today. I just couldn't stand it. I needed the outdoors. And of course, I've to test out my new lens just so that I can study in peace. Sky was overcast and the drizzles dampened my spirits a tad, but TH and I were rewarded.

My Tamron's virgin shot was of one of the meanest-looking caterpillars you'd ever come across. Say hi to the caterpillar of a Nawab butterfly. Not sure if this is the Plain Nawab or something else though... (EDIT 18-04-06: this is most likely a Blue Nawab cat)

A cute Pied Fantail zipped past us, and paused for a moment on the fence before darting into some bushes...

Then I found a crab spider...

And saw a Large-tailed Nightjar...

I got up close and personal with a Yellow Bittern. I don't think I'll ever be this lucky again - think 400mm, > full frame! (He likes to do the Punk.)

Nearby, a 1st/2nd instar mantis was feasting on a caterpillar...

And here's a Long-tailed Parakeet to wrap it up.

All the photos from today can be found here, plus a few from yesterday - these are mainly stages from the life history of the Autumn Leaf butterfly; I followed my mom to Bishan in the arvo after picking my camera up... and stumbled upon a horde of these caterpillars by the roadside.

On the P. Hantu blog - NSS Conservation Chat discusses Project NOAH

More news and links -

Reef news from the BWV
on the annotated budak

Happy Easter

I know, I should put aside the chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies and focus on the true meaning of Easter... but I couldn't resist...

Thanks to Tania for the fwd.

More wasps...

Dead ones, though. Fried to a crisp. Their insides have all evaporated/vanished/been destroyed/dried up/leaked out/consumed(by whatever). Nada... emptied.

Five of them were stuck in the middle of the two long bulbs of the kitchen ceiling light. Only saw them when the outer covering was removed to change the bulbs.

I wonder how/why/when...

I wonder for how much longer I can keep this up?

Four folders of notes and handouts to remember, four texts to absorb from front to back, and three for casual reading. Plus extra papers from journals. 4 x single platter of 6 weeks' worth of learning, to be consumed within a week, and regurgitated in a three-hour exam.

Applied Ecology and Environmental Management is the only text to have been brought forward from last year, and I've read that one thrice. I'm fairly confident of Applied Eco, so-so for Population & Community Eco (eek the equations!!) and Biod & Consv Bio, and hmmm for Animal Behaviour.

Two more weeks. My brain's being strangled.

Bug on window

A hemiptera of some sort. 1st, or possibly 2nd... instar? I can't see its other side. Maybe it's those stink bug thingees.

It was waving its right leg. A greeting? A plea for help? (The wasps and their nest are almost right above it.)

On Pulau Hantu and Project NOAH

Lots of links and information on wildsingapore.

There's a conservation chat this Wednesday. Hmm...

The H5N1 virus has been confirmed on a dead Mute Swan up in Scotland, and here's the experts' list of the top 10 birdflu suspects. Among those 10, I do come into contact with eight of them...

Again I should be thankful that I'm not working with birds for my FYP. Not that there is a high possibility of transmission of the virus from tits (erm, yeah, tits... Parus spp... don't laugh...), but at least my parents won't have to worry!

Did a couple (well, more than a couple, but...) of things today, and I'm only just about to start on the day's revision.

I've left myself feeling extremely insecure by parting with my D70. Sniff... no camera for about a week. I've sent it for servicing. It feels like we've done so much together... my camera and I, and as of today I'd have had it for exactly a year.

Shutter count is 30500 in a year, = 2541 photos each month, = 84 clicks per day. :)

Picked up my certificate of citizenship (which 'expires' this year...) the guys at ICA were quick, so I only hope the paperwork'll go the same for the Brit High Comm chaps.

Then... went to watch Ice Age 2 with my sis...

Paid a visit to my camera shop and erm, retrieved some items...

And finally had a quick dinner and meetup with ZF. My first 'social' since my return, and I daresay it'll be my only one.

For a couple of days now, Zoto has been insisting that I brush up my Chinese language skills. English has mysteriously disappeared... and I haven't changed a single setting on it or my computer since the last use. I can't find the language settings... well not that I can't handle it as it is right now (:P) but it's just weird.

Tiktaalik

When I first heard the podcaster mentioning the name of this fish, for a moment my mind held the image of a glass of teh-tarik.

Source: Nature, 6 April 2006

Remarkable Devonian tetrapod-like fish fossils discovered

The transition between fishes and limbed vertebrates, or tetrapods, occurred over 370 million years ago and required changes to virtually the entire body. Sensational fossil finds, and reinterpretations of old ones, have radically altered thinking on this topic in the past 20 years. But the transition itself – the very point where fishes became tetrapods – remains obscure. What fossils there are tend to be incomplete or badly preserved.

All that changes with the discovery of a well-preserved species of fossil lobe-finned fish from the Late Devonian of Arctic Canada that represents an intermediate between fish with fins and tetrapods with limbs, and provides unique insights into how and in what order important tetrapod characters arose.

Find out more:
Special Audio Coverage

Nature Articles:
A Devonian tetrapod-like fish and the evolution of the tetrapod body plan
The pectoral fin of Tiktaalik roseae and the origin of the tetrapod limb
Nature News & Views

For those who do not have access to Nature, here are some other links:

Science Museum news --> must check this out!
Natural History Museum news
BBC News
Nat Geog news
The Economist

How exciting... a real, new missing link... one on par with Archaeopteryx. Say hello to our distant ancestor. :) Casts of the fossil will be on display in the Science Museum until May... might go have a look when I can.

I woke up to a drilling-knocking sound...
Like a bill hammering on wood...
It came from the trees outside my window.
I spotted the little thing swooping from one trunk to another.
I grabbed my binos -
A Golden flameback woodpecker.
The beautiful thing...
makes my day.

Sigh.
I want to be outdoors...
I miss Buloh, and all those places.
Low tides are coming...
I want to be with the Beachfleas on their intertidal trips...
I want to feel the coolness of a sandy reef beneath my feet, a sea star inches away.
I want to be out there guiding, taking people around...
Or with my camera and scope, shooting away.
Don't mind the sandflies and the mozzies...
They're part of the experience...

Drat the exams, drat my sudden hardworkingness.

This is hilarious.

Dr Lamb has sent round the brief outline (outcome) of the whisky experiment.

Here I quote, from the results section:

M1 had somewhat bloodshot eyes soon after the first drink. By 2.03 he had some flushing, especially on the cheeks, but not the uniform strong flush of F1. M2 and F3 showed no visible signs of flushing... ...

F1 said that she felt calm but deliriously happy, and less hot than previously. She felt drunk, almost giddy, and at peace with the world. F2 felt tipsy, half sober, and thought she could walk in a straight line if she had to. Her vision was a bit blurred and she was getting a headache. She felt a bit giddy and tired. She felt peaceful and relaxed, and no longer felt hot although she had done earlier. F3 felt OK and had her fourth drink at 2.15. M1 could see clearly but the images did not come together. He felt hot, was getting a headache, and could fall asleep any time. M2 was not feeling much different from normal, just a bit light headed. He thought he could walk in a straight line.

I declared not long ago that I was a Hong Konger. And now those words have come to hit my in the face?!

I went to ICA for the simple task of renewing my passport. I was bounced from one counter to the next, and the officer behind one of them handed me two letters.

The first letter told me that blah blah "under the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore..." I was supposed to do certain things. And, much to my surprise, that I am a "British citizen". The second letter informed me that I am also a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region citizen... but that is another matter.

"So if you decide that you want to be a Singapore citizen..." the officer repeated.

"Yes I want to, I don't have another choice!"

"You need to renounce your British citizenship."

"I don't have British citizenship..."

"Our records say that you do."

"But I don't... ..."

And so it went.

I don't hold any British papers or anything... but by merit of my country of birth, I am a British citizen, whether I like it or not. I can't get my passport renewed/extended. They say I hold dual nationality, and now that I'm 21, my minor citizenship no longer stands.

I need to take the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty. And to do that, I need to prove that I am not a British national.

And for that, I need to produce a Certificate of Singaporean Citizenship to the British mission. And I don't currently have one. I had to apply for one, and to do that I had to raise my right hand and read a solemn declaration that I 'lost the original'. It usually takes two weeks to process, but they'll try to make it quicker.

Bleah... the whole day wasted for nothing. I'm done with revision for Applied Ecology, but that doesn't mean I can slack my pace.

I wonder what the British Consulate will have to say when I go to them.

"Hello, can you please give me some documentation to prove that I am not one of your people?" lol.

Heck, please don't let them say... "Oh, but you are."

For I would have lived through my life not knowing that I was.

Going through my Applied Ecology notes... the case studies so frequently mention Singapore and its use of Integrated Pest Management systems on agricultural and commercial crops that one unfamiliar to this city-state might be forgiven for thinking that we are a nation of farmers.

Another patrol round the circumference of my apartment found this outside my parents' bedroom window:

It's the ootheca - egg case - of a praying mantis. All hatched, though, not long ago. I wonder how some insects choose their oviposition sites... four floors above ground, on a bare marble wall, with no food in sight (they start hunting upon hatching - a scene of mass cannibalism enters my mind -_-), and there's that additional high possibility of being sighted by a human being whose first instinct upon seeing these six-legged creatures in her house is to call for the insecticide.

The Central Nature Reserves volunteers have started to blog, with accounts of the colugos (flying lemurs) to kick off with. A pity the mom and baby both couldn't make it. Drat the poachers, these thieves and murderers who take away what's so precious to us.

I don't quite know how management is like over there but it's been not an easy task getting Buloh involved in blogging. The closest I could do was to start a forum for them. Even so, it's been months (the proposal was first put forth three years ago, in fact, but they were initially hesitant), and it's due to be launched soon.

The CNR blog has a pretty family-oriented feel to it... I quite like it. And there's a particular poster who's caught my eye - a young boy who goes by the name of Leshon. He's got his own nature blog... and reminds me so much of myself when I first started. If only I started blogging then... there are so many stories, so many anecdotes left untold. He seems like a good guide; I don't know how old he is, but he's an example that there should never be age requirements when it comes to this sort of stuff. *cough* Buloh *cough* Zoo Docents *gentle cough*.

Many more nature-related blogs popping up left and right. A good sign?

Monday, April 24, 2006

Dogged Wanderings has moved!!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

More on Project NOAH

Less than two more days...

Thursday, April 20, 2006

2-month-old guppies

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

On my way to the Sandwich Shop

Bird numbers in London

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

It begins

Monday, April 17, 2006

On conservation - "people, politics and problems"

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Thursday, April 13, 2006

SBG

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Happy Easter

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

More wasps...

Monday, April 10, 2006

Bug on window

On Pulau Hantu and Project NOAH

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Friday, April 07, 2006

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Tiktaalik

Monday, April 03, 2006

Sunday, April 02, 2006

Saturday, April 01, 2006