Luck out @ Semakau

Semakau. I think I broke my record for the least photos taken in an intertial walk. Only 11 photos and barely half of it are of animals! =.= Why? Read on...

My second time as OJT with me tagging with July this time. Less stressful too I guess, hehe. I remember wowing over his laminated script on what he should say, its so damn detail and good!

Upon reaching the island, we hastily get changed and brisk walked to our entry forest area to the intertidals because we were getting late. Also, the sky was glooming pale and dark.

And after the safety briefing, we entered the forest as the last group, with me as the last person. Gee...

My first 'arrow' is to introduce this tubular organism called the sea cucumber. They are actually related to sea urchins and sea stars even though they dun look anything like them, but they all have an endoskeleton and little tube feets. The more interesting fact is that they breath through their butt. If disturbed, some sp can actually vomit out their internal organs to startle or distract predators while they escape. They will not die (although it is likely to cause tremendous stress) and the organs will be regenerated after some time. Some cucumbers like the sandfish cucumber are edible (popular during CNY) but their toxins must be treated first before eating.

Compare two pictures. To an amateur, like me previously, they both look alike to me. But the left is a flatworm. They have amazing powers of regeneration, try cutting anywhere and it probably will regenerate itself. Flatworms are also hermaphrodites and the one playing the male will stab its penis into the other, often causing injuries to it. Talk about rough sex!

As I had pondered with Ron earlier about the little dot at the middle of the worm's 'head' (see below), it seems to be the eye of the flatworm, after surfing on its anatomy (not totally sure though). So its actually a cyclops! But it is said that the eye can only detect light direction and intensity, not proper vision like u and one have. (Note it also have another eyes located elsewhere, refer to Ron's blog)

Back to the other picture on the right, it is not a flatworm but a Bohol nudibranch! One can spot the difference through its naked gills sticking out.

And thats the end of my animal pictures....

Not long later, Luan Keng sounded the signal to turn back due to lightning and rain. July quickly gathered the group to take a photo with the knobbly seastars. Yea, I guess it will be a waste without the this photo right? =) But as we look down, we can see the storm flying fast towards us. O god, I was still bragging to Juan about how lucky I am not to have rain when I'm out. Guess my luck ran out. And somemore totally unprepared without poncho, and ziplock my stuff....

The storm soon envelops over us and my nice little handy notebook was drenched =( luckily, my electronics were still safe... phew. And I hate walking in my wet undergarments...zzz

Still its rather a nice experience to get soaked in the rain, just as many other participants commented too. And np Ron, as u said, I'm a forgiving person ;p Besides, all this cold, trembling and craziness did make me forget my blues for a while.

And back in the canteen for a change of clothes. Gotta be prepared next time!

Please refer to Ron's tidechaser blog, Juan's Ashira blog and Tiong Chin's mountains and seas blog with more photos (as they have weather proof cameras!) and vivid descriptions.

Amazing photos of anemone fish in Samson's Manta blog too!

Update> July's post is up too!

No more OJTs for me lo! Yes I graduate lao. too bad my next trip will be at Sep. O_O Blinks~~