Monday, January 4, 2010

Hello Southern Ridges! [21/12/09]

On my maiden journey to the Southern Ridges, starting from Alexandra Arch.The snaking boardwalk of the Forest Walk that stretches for miles is the first thing that a visitor would see. This Elevated Walkway stands at 50m high through the secondary forest, the Adinandra Beluka, of Telok Blangah Hill and connects Alexandra Arch to the Hilltop Walk. Adinandra Beluka refers to a secondary forest on degraded soil.
The Elevated Walkway offers the visitor an eye-level view of the forest canopy layer, whereas the Earth Trail, an alternative to the Elevated Walkway, allows the more adventurous to trek through the undergrowth. I'm gonna try that another day! =D
The deep blue sky with wisps of clouds after a rainy day
I spotted this birdhouse on a tree, wonders what bird does it accomodate?
One of the many signboards along the Elevated Walkway. I dont think i can remember all those! >.< A pretty-looking cricket; its legs are rather fat haha
another signboard and an accompanying picture of its leaves below..
can you spot a ring on a twig on the near right side?
the mysterious ring... how did it appear on the plant anyway?
a spider, iridescent green in colour
and some ants in the midst of building an ant nest i think.




the snaky walkway only goes higher and higher and higher!


look how far i've come..
and the highlight of the trip was this amusing little Plantain Squirrel (Callosciurus notatus) that seemed oblivious to the attention it was getting, and busied itself eating the fruits of the tree. This is common squirrel that also feeds on insects and bird eggs.
An up-close shot of the White-crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucotophus). What amazed me was that the animals there weren't that shy of humans and even allowed a up-close distance of about one metres.
Henderson Waves! A perfect hangout for family, friends and couples.
The vegetation of Mount Faber Park as seen from the bridge.
There goes the sun... goodbye day hello night!

Other birds I spotted were:
1. White-vented Bulbul (Acridotheres cinereus)
2. Pink-necked pigeon (Treron vernans) [a flock of them at Forest Walk]
3. Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

And other animals which i weren't able to identify or take photos of. We ended our hike with Marang Trail and took a bus back home. It was a fun late afternoon and i'd want to go back there again! =D