Year of the Dragon: Should we be optimistic?

This statue was placed at the Buddah Tooth Relic temple for the New Year celebration.

The Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year

It is now time to enjoy the seasonal delicacies!

Happy Chinese New Year!

The fox and the crow, South East Asia Cast

‎"Good Day Mistress Stork" said master Monitor. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eyes. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of the Birds."

Extract from Jean de la Fontaine. Free translation.

Monitor lizard at Sungei Buloh

For comparison purpose with the image of the crocodile posted earlier, this is an adult monitor lizard. It had just found a small dead fish on the mud flat of Sungei Buloh.

Crocodile at Sungei Buloh

I was amazed to encounter this crocodile basking under the sun at Sungei Buloh during low tide. While there are many signs around the reserve that warn about the reptile, I had never seen one and thought most sighting were confused with monitor lizards.

Below, the croc in its environment.

Oriental Magpie Robin - Sungei Buloh

Another trip to Sungei Buloh, with some interesting results. Here is an oriental magpie robin taking a bath in shallow water.