I got this link from my dear ol' sister this morning.
Here it is :)
I think frogs/toads nowadays are also in the slimming trend. Talk about peer pressure.
alicia
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
A Film of Photographs
Snap shots of my Anuran friends.
Fellow PGPian Bufo melanostictus
The Bufo melanostictus i caught somewhere at A*Star
A Bufo melanostictus with yellowish colouration of its vocal sac ( unwiped curry)
The malnourished Bufo melanostictus
A random Bufo melanostictus from the field
A Bufo melanostictus
Another Bufo melanostictus, A sian toad
A Banded bullfrog Kaloula pulchra
The brown-coat Bufo melanostictus at a private pool
A Bufo melanostictus
More Asian toads, Bufo melanostictus
And Kaloula pulchra X2
A true urban frog, Rana puralah
alicia.tan
Fellow PGPian Bufo melanostictus
The Bufo melanostictus i caught somewhere at A*Star
A Bufo melanostictus with yellowish colouration of its vocal sac ( unwiped curry)
The malnourished Bufo melanostictus
A random Bufo melanostictus from the field
A Bufo melanostictus
Another Bufo melanostictus, A sian toad
A Banded bullfrog Kaloula pulchra
The brown-coat Bufo melanostictus at a private pool
A Bufo melanostictus
More Asian toads, Bufo melanostictus
And Kaloula pulchra X2
A true urban frog, Rana puralah
alicia.tan
Kent Ridge Park/t II
Date : 18th Febuary 2008
Time : 7.30pm to 8.30 pm
Weather : Cooling
-Amelia, Nigel and i
We took 200 to Kent Ridge Park at around 7ish. The real killer was the sloppy walk up. We went to the similar spot we went the last time. It was right next to the pond, the smaller pond in the park. There, we heard the call of the Rana erythraea. It was this soft sounding chirpy croak. We searched for it/them in that vicinity. Then, Nigel spotted one. He asked me to give it a fast catch, but i guess i have grew too accustomed to the urban frogs/toads, their relatively slow motions. I missed again.
Then, in the midst of searching for the Rana erythraea, i saw this tiny frog. I grabbed the whole chunk of whatever( leaves, grass, soil) around that little frog. It was a Fejervarya limnocharis. It was a little froglet which had just metamorphosed form a tadpole. It had darkish black ridges on its back. Yeah, kinda exciting. Indeed a suprise catch, and maybe a happiness neutralizer and a good consolation for missing the Rana erythraea.I am really pathetic. I WILL catch a Rana erythraea ONE DAY.
Later on, we went to the edge of the pond. Nigel spotted more Fejervarya limnocharis. 3 of them. Amelia had her chance to handle a small frog. A juvenile Fejervarya limnocharis. I think she had fun. I mean i hope she did. Then, towards a narrower path, with lotsa plants growing along the way, i saw some movement. And i later saw a red eye shine. It was another Rana erythraea. We didnt manage to get our friend because we were intruding to the comfort zone of the frog. If only i had 5 feet long arms. And, i missed yet another Rana erythraea.
Then, as i was still trying to get a Rana erythraea, i saw some hopping amongst the leaf litter. It was as if it was some little frog playing on the pogo stick. It was another Fejervarya limnocharis.In total, we spotted 5 newly metamorphosed Fejervarya limnocharisand saw 2 Rana erythraea. We then decided to call it a day as it was not very saturated with frog calls, as compared to the last session. Plus, the weather was rather dry, not entirely but substantially. We then rolled down the hill into another 200 back to school.
Lessons i learnt today
1) Make sure all torches are functioning well.
2) Practice catching frogs before attempting to catch another Rana erythraea
3) Remembered the call of a Rana erythraea.
4) Look out for tiny frogs, those that might not win a grasshopper in a arm wrestle.
Thanks Encik Nigel and Cik Amelia =)
Aliciatan
Time : 7.30pm to 8.30 pm
Weather : Cooling
-Amelia, Nigel and i
We took 200 to Kent Ridge Park at around 7ish. The real killer was the sloppy walk up. We went to the similar spot we went the last time. It was right next to the pond, the smaller pond in the park. There, we heard the call of the Rana erythraea. It was this soft sounding chirpy croak. We searched for it/them in that vicinity. Then, Nigel spotted one. He asked me to give it a fast catch, but i guess i have grew too accustomed to the urban frogs/toads, their relatively slow motions. I missed again.
Then, in the midst of searching for the Rana erythraea, i saw this tiny frog. I grabbed the whole chunk of whatever( leaves, grass, soil) around that little frog. It was a Fejervarya limnocharis. It was a little froglet which had just metamorphosed form a tadpole. It had darkish black ridges on its back. Yeah, kinda exciting. Indeed a suprise catch, and maybe a happiness neutralizer and a good consolation for missing the Rana erythraea.I am really pathetic. I WILL catch a Rana erythraea ONE DAY.
Later on, we went to the edge of the pond. Nigel spotted more Fejervarya limnocharis. 3 of them. Amelia had her chance to handle a small frog. A juvenile Fejervarya limnocharis. I think she had fun. I mean i hope she did. Then, towards a narrower path, with lotsa plants growing along the way, i saw some movement. And i later saw a red eye shine. It was another Rana erythraea. We didnt manage to get our friend because we were intruding to the comfort zone of the frog. If only i had 5 feet long arms. And, i missed yet another Rana erythraea.
Then, as i was still trying to get a Rana erythraea, i saw some hopping amongst the leaf litter. It was as if it was some little frog playing on the pogo stick. It was another Fejervarya limnocharis.In total, we spotted 5 newly metamorphosed Fejervarya limnocharisand saw 2 Rana erythraea. We then decided to call it a day as it was not very saturated with frog calls, as compared to the last session. Plus, the weather was rather dry, not entirely but substantially. We then rolled down the hill into another 200 back to school.
Lessons i learnt today
1) Make sure all torches are functioning well.
2) Practice catching frogs before attempting to catch another Rana erythraea
3) Remembered the call of a Rana erythraea.
4) Look out for tiny frogs, those that might not win a grasshopper in a arm wrestle.
Thanks Encik Nigel and Cik Amelia =)
Aliciatan
For the record... did i mention SRC rox?
Date :17th February 2008
Time :10.00pm to 10.45pm
Weather : Windy, cool
Audrey and i
When the athletes go home, the frogs come out to play. Thats exactly true for the Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC ) field in sChOOL. As planned, i went to SRC at about 10pm. I was so happy when i saw the lights off. I went towards the staircase and just randomly shone my torch on the grassy area. I was not expecting much, so i was just doing it out of routine.
Somewhere halfway through the stairs, i saw a stoner toad. An Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus]. It was of regular size. I took out my camera and took a picture, erm, maybe quite a few pictures of it. Then, i continued walking on the grassy patch parallel to the stairway. I saw another Asian toad (stoner) [Bufo melanostictus]. It didnt even looked like it cared i was staring at it. I should have drooled, to scare it. I took a picture of it and left it by its own.
I went towards the drain, at the end of the staircase. There, i spotted this tiny Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus]. It was soft and obliging. I brought it to the grasland and took a photograph of it. Released the XS fellow and proceeded to look for its kins. Then, almost directly below the staircase, inside the drain, which was filled about 1 to 2 cm high, was this slighly darker Asian toad. It was either wearing a dark brown coat or it was going tanning too much. And somewhere around there, i found another kiddo Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus].
Then, Audrey popped out of no where. And so did this beloved brownish sticky frog. It was a Banded bullfrog [Kaloula pulchra]. I was so happy i almost kissed it. No, i did not because i grew up reading fairy tales. Ok, same procedure, since my camera pro friend came. She was chasing the frog at a moderate distance to get a good shot of that frog.
Audrey and i then continued by walking the path towards the bus stand. Then, near the goal post, we saw a Asian toad-goalie [Bufo melanostictus].It was rather big and it had its fair share of Audrey's scream. We got a few shots on the camera of this goalie wannabe.
After that, we followed the path towards MPSH. There was thick grass on the right and a wonderful (dry) drain on the left. I must say the drain should be the talk of the day. Found another XS Asian toad[Bufo melanostictus] in the midst of the grass. In that (in my opinion) normal looking drain, i found a frog and 3 toads. In total, i found 2 different species in that drain. It was really a great feeling. Finding so many frogs/toads tonight. Coolest frogging session ever. (will publish the pics once i upload them)
Terima kasih Audrey =)
2 words = FROG FEAST
.alicia.
Time :10.00pm to 10.45pm
Weather : Windy, cool
Audrey and i
When the athletes go home, the frogs come out to play. Thats exactly true for the Sports and Recreation Centre (SRC ) field in sChOOL. As planned, i went to SRC at about 10pm. I was so happy when i saw the lights off. I went towards the staircase and just randomly shone my torch on the grassy area. I was not expecting much, so i was just doing it out of routine.
Somewhere halfway through the stairs, i saw a stoner toad. An Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus]. It was of regular size. I took out my camera and took a picture, erm, maybe quite a few pictures of it. Then, i continued walking on the grassy patch parallel to the stairway. I saw another Asian toad (stoner) [Bufo melanostictus]. It didnt even looked like it cared i was staring at it. I should have drooled, to scare it. I took a picture of it and left it by its own.
I went towards the drain, at the end of the staircase. There, i spotted this tiny Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus]. It was soft and obliging. I brought it to the grasland and took a photograph of it. Released the XS fellow and proceeded to look for its kins. Then, almost directly below the staircase, inside the drain, which was filled about 1 to 2 cm high, was this slighly darker Asian toad. It was either wearing a dark brown coat or it was going tanning too much. And somewhere around there, i found another kiddo Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus].
Then, Audrey popped out of no where. And so did this beloved brownish sticky frog. It was a Banded bullfrog [Kaloula pulchra]. I was so happy i almost kissed it. No, i did not because i grew up reading fairy tales. Ok, same procedure, since my camera pro friend came. She was chasing the frog at a moderate distance to get a good shot of that frog.
Audrey and i then continued by walking the path towards the bus stand. Then, near the goal post, we saw a Asian toad-goalie [Bufo melanostictus].It was rather big and it had its fair share of Audrey's scream. We got a few shots on the camera of this goalie wannabe.
After that, we followed the path towards MPSH. There was thick grass on the right and a wonderful (dry) drain on the left. I must say the drain should be the talk of the day. Found another XS Asian toad[Bufo melanostictus] in the midst of the grass. In that (in my opinion) normal looking drain, i found a frog and 3 toads. In total, i found 2 different species in that drain. It was really a great feeling. Finding so many frogs/toads tonight. Coolest frogging session ever. (will publish the pics once i upload them)
Terima kasih Audrey =)
2 words = FROG FEAST
.alicia.
On the run
Date :17th February 2008
Time :8.30 pm to 9ish 10 pm
Weather : Cool
-Alex and I
I was just telling Audrey how i felt like a CID.As i was working on my report just now, at about 8pm, Alex called. I was rather suprised. The phone call went something like this :
Alex : Hey, alicia. Where are you?
me : I am in my room? PGP.
Alex : i heard a frog call.
me : (rather blur) huh? where.
Alex : Near Temasek Life Science centre.
i was so kan jiong i couldnt really remember how the other half of the conversation went.
I gathered my armour for battle (torches, camera and data sheet) and rushed downstairs.Ran and ran, pant and pant. Finally reached S2 area. Then kinda so blur i got lost, Dunno where was i walking. Then out of a sudden Alex appeared.
We then went to that area he heard the sound. Sure enough, we heard the call again. The area is a pretty good area. The vegetation was moderate, with lotsa potted plants, and it was at the edge of a forest. The drains were quite good, looked like it had potential. We tried looking for the frog which called but couldnt spot it. It is this brief, low sounding call which i can remember but cannot identify. (According to the consultation by my mentor, Nigel-the deduction made is that its is the call of a Polypedates leucomystax, the common tree frog @ Four-lined tree frog)
We then went along the ridge, towards Central. Then, at around Research Link, we heard the identical call again. Again, we tried to spot the frog but in vain. A gecko even tried to make us happy by giving us a false alarm. Guess that fellow was too long to look like a frog.But the area was really good and will definitely go there for another frogging session.
After that, we walked towards A*star. Alex, a plantae-and-Geography-pro explained that that the valley-like characteristic of that area made it very waterlogged. Sure enough, there was this badly waterlogged area. There and behold, we found our first Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus] of the night.
We walked towards University Hall, intersecting Ridge View Residence and Central Forum. It was indeed a pleasant night. Thanks Alex.
Tonight- heard 2 frogs + caught a toad
Found a potential area=)
Aliciatan
Time :8.30 pm to 9ish 10 pm
Weather : Cool
-Alex and I
I was just telling Audrey how i felt like a CID.As i was working on my report just now, at about 8pm, Alex called. I was rather suprised. The phone call went something like this :
Alex : Hey, alicia. Where are you?
me : I am in my room? PGP.
Alex : i heard a frog call.
me : (rather blur) huh? where.
Alex : Near Temasek Life Science centre.
i was so kan jiong i couldnt really remember how the other half of the conversation went.
I gathered my armour for battle (torches, camera and data sheet) and rushed downstairs.Ran and ran, pant and pant. Finally reached S2 area. Then kinda so blur i got lost, Dunno where was i walking. Then out of a sudden Alex appeared.
We then went to that area he heard the sound. Sure enough, we heard the call again. The area is a pretty good area. The vegetation was moderate, with lotsa potted plants, and it was at the edge of a forest. The drains were quite good, looked like it had potential. We tried looking for the frog which called but couldnt spot it. It is this brief, low sounding call which i can remember but cannot identify. (According to the consultation by my mentor, Nigel-the deduction made is that its is the call of a Polypedates leucomystax, the common tree frog @ Four-lined tree frog)
We then went along the ridge, towards Central. Then, at around Research Link, we heard the identical call again. Again, we tried to spot the frog but in vain. A gecko even tried to make us happy by giving us a false alarm. Guess that fellow was too long to look like a frog.But the area was really good and will definitely go there for another frogging session.
After that, we walked towards A*star. Alex, a plantae-and-Geography-pro explained that that the valley-like characteristic of that area made it very waterlogged. Sure enough, there was this badly waterlogged area. There and behold, we found our first Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus] of the night.
We walked towards University Hall, intersecting Ridge View Residence and Central Forum. It was indeed a pleasant night. Thanks Alex.
Tonight- heard 2 frogs + caught a toad
Found a potential area=)
Aliciatan
Sunday, February 17, 2008
HOT to SPOT the FROGS? (hotspot of the frogs?)
Question : Where are the frogs in NUS?
I will be doing a really intense frogging session for the whole week. It shall be my frogging marathon.
Sunday -10pm onwards - Sports and Recreation Centre, field, School of Computing area
Monday - 7ish pm onwards - Kent Ridge Park [* Frogging seminar by Mr. Nigel Ng]
Tuesday - 7ish pm onwards - Univeristy Cultural Centre, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Engineering, School of Design and Environment
Wednesday - 7ish onwards - Yusof Ishak House, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University Hall, Ridge View Residence
Thursday - about 9ish /10pm onwards - Sports and Recreation Centre field, SoC, Science, National University Hospital
Friday and Saturday - To be confirmed
Hope things go well, if not, i will just go search for frogs in the well.Very well,,
alicia.
I will be doing a really intense frogging session for the whole week. It shall be my frogging marathon.
Sunday -10pm onwards - Sports and Recreation Centre, field, School of Computing area
Monday - 7ish pm onwards - Kent Ridge Park [* Frogging seminar by Mr. Nigel Ng]
Tuesday - 7ish pm onwards - Univeristy Cultural Centre, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Engineering, School of Design and Environment
Wednesday - 7ish onwards - Yusof Ishak House, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University Hall, Ridge View Residence
Thursday - about 9ish /10pm onwards - Sports and Recreation Centre field, SoC, Science, National University Hospital
Friday and Saturday - To be confirmed
Hope things go well, if not, i will just go search for frogs in the well.Very well,,
alicia.
Friday, February 15, 2008
DRAINed...but gained
Date :14th Febuary 2008
Time :7.30pm to 9.00pm
Weather : Cool
Mr Siva and i
Yesterday, Mr Siva and I went to check out the drainage system at the border of NUS, along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). We walked along the drains all the way towards the end of it. We then walked inside a parallel(sub) drain which was dry. It was about 6ish feet high. We found an Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus] in the junction between the 2 drains. It became panicky when it saw us coming, trying frantically to escape, but in vain. Snap pics then let our friend go.
We then continued our journey all the way in that dry drain, semi to frog-hunt semi to recce the place. We realised the drains(both the sub and main drains) were rather deep and i was wondering whether this may affect the anurans' choice of inhibiting the place.Plus the area was noisy with the bustles of the city along the AYE. We found 2 Asian toads [Bufo melanostictus] that night.
After the previous session from PGP to Temasek/Eusoff Hall, i am in the opinion that urban toads/frogs may not inhibit areas with thick grass. However, i have yet to bring a toad to test out this hypothesis. Shall do it one of this days. I hope the frogs/toads are not reading this because i am sure none of them wanna be my experimental specimen.
And who said its boring hunting for frogs/toads in an urban area like NUS?
Frog sandwich?
90-degrees-inverted Mud pie?
Romeo and Juliet? Sea almond delight?
Aliciatan
Time :7.30pm to 9.00pm
Weather : Cool
Mr Siva and i
Yesterday, Mr Siva and I went to check out the drainage system at the border of NUS, along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE). We walked along the drains all the way towards the end of it. We then walked inside a parallel(sub) drain which was dry. It was about 6ish feet high. We found an Asian toad [Bufo melanostictus] in the junction between the 2 drains. It became panicky when it saw us coming, trying frantically to escape, but in vain. Snap pics then let our friend go.
We then continued our journey all the way in that dry drain, semi to frog-hunt semi to recce the place. We realised the drains(both the sub and main drains) were rather deep and i was wondering whether this may affect the anurans' choice of inhibiting the place.Plus the area was noisy with the bustles of the city along the AYE. We found 2 Asian toads [Bufo melanostictus] that night.
After the previous session from PGP to Temasek/Eusoff Hall, i am in the opinion that urban toads/frogs may not inhibit areas with thick grass. However, i have yet to bring a toad to test out this hypothesis. Shall do it one of this days. I hope the frogs/toads are not reading this because i am sure none of them wanna be my experimental specimen.
And who said its boring hunting for frogs/toads in an urban area like NUS?
Frog sandwich?
90-degrees-inverted Mud pie?
Romeo and Juliet? Sea almond delight?
Aliciatan
12 ekor after discount
This is the checklist of frogs, mainly toads i have spotted so far from the National University of Singapore Kent Ridge campus vicinity. All of them are unique individuals which will make up my data. I have caught 11 Asian toads[Bufo melanostictus] and a Banded bullfrog [ Kaloula pulchra] minus the 2 [Microphyla heymonsi + Rana erythraea] from Kent Ridge Park.
These are some of their captured memories of these Anuras,
Let them be in your hearts and not in anyone's intestines.
Aliciatan
These are some of their captured memories of these Anuras,
Let them be in your hearts and not in anyone's intestines.
Aliciatan
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
IT made my day
As i was writing the previous post, i was just stoning in front of my comp, thinking frogful thoughts. Then, i got a call from Tiffany. She sounded like she was in trouble or somthing. She went ," Eh, Alicia..Can you come over to R1 right now?" Then, i was like. Yeah,okay....(long pause) why? She more calm and went....
Drumrolls : There's a BIG TOAD HERE.
I said : ok.Going over now.
She said :ok..hurry..RUN
Being my obedient self, i ran. From R3 to R1.Not to mention i waited for the lift for half a forever plus my running which took another half.
When i got there(panting), i saw this BIGGIE. It was this fatso toad lurking near a drain.
It is such a fat Bufo melanostictus (Asian toad), that it actually forced itself against my fingers when i was holding it. It was really fun. Plus, it secreted a yellowish sustance which was quite alot compared to the others i caught, due to its large size. It was almost as big as my palm.
Here's pic of it..
Notice the yellow substance
-Thanks Tiff =)
Aliciatan (Pest of the Pest)
Drumrolls : There's a BIG TOAD HERE.
I said : ok.Going over now.
She said :ok..hurry..RUN
Being my obedient self, i ran. From R3 to R1.Not to mention i waited for the lift for half a forever plus my running which took another half.
When i got there(panting), i saw this BIGGIE. It was this fatso toad lurking near a drain.
It is such a fat Bufo melanostictus (Asian toad), that it actually forced itself against my fingers when i was holding it. It was really fun. Plus, it secreted a yellowish sustance which was quite alot compared to the others i caught, due to its large size. It was almost as big as my palm.
Here's pic of it..
Notice the yellow substance
-Thanks Tiff =)
Aliciatan (Pest of the Pest)
Still Waiting
Date : 10 Febuary 2008
Weather : Cloudy
Time : 7.30pm to 8.00pm
Location : Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Dad and i
The frog (toad) prince in my garden back home sure has a better story to tell than i do now. On Sunday night, i went out to check on the toad. It was still nicely nestled in THE flower pot. I didnt want to miss it leaving the pot this time, because i did yesterday. So, my dad and i waited patiently by the pot for the toad to leave. The sky grew darker and darker. And there were slight movements from the toad. We waited and waited, as if we were waiting for the cow to come home.
Then, as we were kinda running late, and that fella seemed to have noticed us in the first place(making it a little uncomfortable and intimidated), we decided to carry out Plan B. I guarded the toad while my dad went to get some talcum powder. We sprinkled the whole area around the pot with powder and went indoors to give the toad some private moments before taking flight. When we came out, the toad had left the pot and left slight frog paw marks. And i found it under the fence. It then leaped inside the drain, where my dad spotted a smaller unrelated one. (They must be meeting for a pre-valentine date) We then took a pic of the both of them.
Presenting the drain and the 2 toads, Bufo melanostictus
To spot the toads, strain hard. Both the toads are directly in front of the slippers. The smaller on on the left while the bigger one on the right.
Ps:Definitely miss my homies.
Will be meeting Mr. Siva for a frogging session tmr after Biochem tuts.
Aliciatan :::Beg(Back) In Singapore for Frogs:::
Weather : Cloudy
Time : 7.30pm to 8.00pm
Location : Batu Pahat, Johor Malaysia
Dad and i
The frog (toad) prince in my garden back home sure has a better story to tell than i do now. On Sunday night, i went out to check on the toad. It was still nicely nestled in THE flower pot. I didnt want to miss it leaving the pot this time, because i did yesterday. So, my dad and i waited patiently by the pot for the toad to leave. The sky grew darker and darker. And there were slight movements from the toad. We waited and waited, as if we were waiting for the cow to come home.
Then, as we were kinda running late, and that fella seemed to have noticed us in the first place(making it a little uncomfortable and intimidated), we decided to carry out Plan B. I guarded the toad while my dad went to get some talcum powder. We sprinkled the whole area around the pot with powder and went indoors to give the toad some private moments before taking flight. When we came out, the toad had left the pot and left slight frog paw marks. And i found it under the fence. It then leaped inside the drain, where my dad spotted a smaller unrelated one. (They must be meeting for a pre-valentine date) We then took a pic of the both of them.
Presenting the drain and the 2 toads, Bufo melanostictus
To spot the toads, strain hard. Both the toads are directly in front of the slippers. The smaller on on the left while the bigger one on the right.
Ps:Definitely miss my homies.
Will be meeting Mr. Siva for a frogging session tmr after Biochem tuts.
Aliciatan :::Beg(Back) In Singapore for Frogs:::
Friday, February 8, 2008
New homie?
Came back home for the CNY yesterday. I was quite excited because of this new buddy i will meet when i touch down. Sure enough, when we reached home at about 6ish, my dad introduced me to his "ecological friend". Here is a picture of our dear fellow. Proudly presenting 'it" and "its home-cum-our porch"
The Toad
Its Home
This Bufo melanostictus(Asian toad), has been living in my family garden for about as long as i was in this project. Not to mention it has not brought up the matter of rent. Anyway, i found out that it will be home by morning and leaves its lil 'nest' shortly after the sun sets. It was sleeping soundly when i saw it this morning. Will definitely check on it later.
Alicia- Happy year of the Frog
The Toad
Its Home
This Bufo melanostictus(Asian toad), has been living in my family garden for about as long as i was in this project. Not to mention it has not brought up the matter of rent. Anyway, i found out that it will be home by morning and leaves its lil 'nest' shortly after the sun sets. It was sleeping soundly when i saw it this morning. Will definitely check on it later.
Alicia- Happy year of the Frog
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Double happiness
Date : 5th Feb 2008
Time : 7.30pm to 10.00pm
Survey Site : From PGP Res. to Bus stop near AS3 and AS7.
Weather : Cool, was drizzling for about half an hour earlier in the afternoon.
Hypothesis : There are DEFINITELY frogs/toads in NUS Kent Ridge campus
In the beginning, i was reluctant to go frogging today. Little did i realise this will be my last night before the short cny break. So, i decided to "qiong" all out tonight instead of (highly likely to stone and idle away my night)just wasting the night away. So, i did. I just hung around the Puddle(checked), waterlogged(checked), Good drainage system (checked), Park-like (checked) area. [read: PGP, dun blame me, i was just hanging out at the compound of my home] There, i saw this little one. An Asian toad. A Bufo melanostictus. It is by far the smallest toad i have caught. It was just stoning there when i 'approached' it. Got a pic of it and released it.
Then, as i was about to leave, i heard this croaking which was pretty distict. Then i walked(rolled) down the slope towards the drain. There, i saw this big guy,another Asian toad, [Bufo melanostictus] starting at me. Grabbed it, chucked it into a ziplock bag and brought it up. Took a picture of it and let it go. And yeah, before that, another piece of good news. I saw some more jelly-bubble-like things. I felt it and it was quite sticky. Hope its some spawn this time. Plus, the waterbody looked like it was either permanent or semi-permanent.
After that, I walked all the way from PGP Residence, right down Prince George's Park, towards Biz, frogged around A*star and Biz, went around KR Hall and continued walking. I walked and hunted along the way. Along the way, i Step 1 (walked, shined and hunted). Repeat Step 1 until a frog/toad is found. Along the way, somewhere around Temasek Hall and Eusoff Hall, i thought i heard a croak. i thought i was just being too hopeful. But, once in about 3 minutes, the call came back, for a split of a second.
So, when i went down into the Temasek and Eusoff carpark, i tried to follow the sound, the sound of hope(the toad's call la). I didnt know exactly where it was coming from. So, I just walked along the curb of the parking lots. Then, there and behold, my 3rd Asian toad[Bufo melanostictus] of the day. It was pretty blur like the previous 2. Same procedure, grab, chuck into ziplock bag. Take pic. I found it at lot 395 of the Temasek/Eusoff parking lot (opposite AS7).
That was pretty much what i did for tonight. Started at about 7.30pm and got back at around 10pm. Indeed a very cool night.
There are DEFINITELY frogs/toads in NUS Kent Ridge campus.
Aliciatan
Time : 7.30pm to 10.00pm
Survey Site : From PGP Res. to Bus stop near AS3 and AS7.
Weather : Cool, was drizzling for about half an hour earlier in the afternoon.
Hypothesis : There are DEFINITELY frogs/toads in NUS Kent Ridge campus
In the beginning, i was reluctant to go frogging today. Little did i realise this will be my last night before the short cny break. So, i decided to "qiong" all out tonight instead of (highly likely to stone and idle away my night)just wasting the night away. So, i did. I just hung around the Puddle(checked), waterlogged(checked), Good drainage system (checked), Park-like (checked) area. [read: PGP, dun blame me, i was just hanging out at the compound of my home] There, i saw this little one. An Asian toad. A Bufo melanostictus. It is by far the smallest toad i have caught. It was just stoning there when i 'approached' it. Got a pic of it and released it.
Then, as i was about to leave, i heard this croaking which was pretty distict. Then i walked(rolled) down the slope towards the drain. There, i saw this big guy,another Asian toad, [Bufo melanostictus] starting at me. Grabbed it, chucked it into a ziplock bag and brought it up. Took a picture of it and let it go. And yeah, before that, another piece of good news. I saw some more jelly-bubble-like things. I felt it and it was quite sticky. Hope its some spawn this time. Plus, the waterbody looked like it was either permanent or semi-permanent.
After that, I walked all the way from PGP Residence, right down Prince George's Park, towards Biz, frogged around A*star and Biz, went around KR Hall and continued walking. I walked and hunted along the way. Along the way, i Step 1 (walked, shined and hunted). Repeat Step 1 until a frog/toad is found. Along the way, somewhere around Temasek Hall and Eusoff Hall, i thought i heard a croak. i thought i was just being too hopeful. But, once in about 3 minutes, the call came back, for a split of a second.
So, when i went down into the Temasek and Eusoff carpark, i tried to follow the sound, the sound of hope(the toad's call la). I didnt know exactly where it was coming from. So, I just walked along the curb of the parking lots. Then, there and behold, my 3rd Asian toad[Bufo melanostictus] of the day. It was pretty blur like the previous 2. Same procedure, grab, chuck into ziplock bag. Take pic. I found it at lot 395 of the Temasek/Eusoff parking lot (opposite AS7).
That was pretty much what i did for tonight. Started at about 7.30pm and got back at around 10pm. Indeed a very cool night.
There are DEFINITELY frogs/toads in NUS Kent Ridge campus.
Aliciatan
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Splendidnot
Date : 2/2/2008
Time : 8.20pm to 9.00pm
Weather : after a rain
-Audrey and i
I changed plans. I didnt go to FASS like planned. Audrey and I walked along Prince George's Park. We started off at the PGP terminal, all the way towards Business. It was raining at about 7ish to about 8. And the weather was just nice for frogging.
The whole place smelled like HOPE, but was hopeless. There were areas, the compounds of the mansions and research centres which were potential frog dwelling sites. However, i didnt find anything for the night. Neither did i hear any calls, just a sound of some machinery which was quite similiar to some frog croaking.
But, i will definetely go back to that place for a 2nd search.
Alicia
Time : 8.20pm to 9.00pm
Weather : after a rain
-Audrey and i
I changed plans. I didnt go to FASS like planned. Audrey and I walked along Prince George's Park. We started off at the PGP terminal, all the way towards Business. It was raining at about 7ish to about 8. And the weather was just nice for frogging.
The whole place smelled like HOPE, but was hopeless. There were areas, the compounds of the mansions and research centres which were potential frog dwelling sites. However, i didnt find anything for the night. Neither did i hear any calls, just a sound of some machinery which was quite similiar to some frog croaking.
But, i will definetely go back to that place for a 2nd search.
Alicia
Gone Frogging
I will be going frogging at FASS area later in the evening. I saw a few potential areas. However, it only rained for a little while earlier in the afternoon. Hope Saturday is the day all frogs/toads come out to party.
Wish me luck, frogging =)
Alicia
Wish me luck, frogging =)
Alicia
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Caught a roach
Last night, when i was just stoning in my room, something exciting happened. A golden brown cockroach [Periplaneta americana] flew in through the windows( it was wide open). Initially i decided to live and let live. Then, it started getting my attention. It was flying all over the place, so i thought to myself, why not?
I took a ziplock bag and tried to make it fly into it. Yeah, think cockroach nowadays are smarter, considering i found it in uni.
Then, i decided to grab it and chuck it into the ziplock bag, its new home. maybe i should call it Papa roach..
here's a picture of it, with a tiny bitsy piece of marshmellow all my pets get fed.
I went to get ethanol to make my dear "friend" drunk from the labs just now. Hope its ready to end its life. Hope more of its kind, the insects, are ready to die for Audrey. Going on a killing spree soon.
Tentitively, i will be going frogging on saturday(2nd) and monday(4th), both at 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Survey site : Where will the frogs be?
Ps: they were fOGging at KE7 at about 11am.
Alicia
I took a ziplock bag and tried to make it fly into it. Yeah, think cockroach nowadays are smarter, considering i found it in uni.
Then, i decided to grab it and chuck it into the ziplock bag, its new home. maybe i should call it Papa roach..
here's a picture of it, with a tiny bitsy piece of marshmellow all my pets get fed.
I went to get ethanol to make my dear "friend" drunk from the labs just now. Hope its ready to end its life. Hope more of its kind, the insects, are ready to die for Audrey. Going on a killing spree soon.
Tentitively, i will be going frogging on saturday(2nd) and monday(4th), both at 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Survey site : Where will the frogs be?
Ps: they were fOGging at KE7 at about 11am.
Alicia
Double sigh,,
Yesterday, on my way down from my unit, i saw this PGP guy cleaning the drains. I approached him. Cos i felt he is the correct person to enquire about the frog health in the PGP area. This was roughly how our conversation went.
me: Hi, Good morning
him: yeah, Hi (while turning off his high pressure hose)
me: Have you seen any frogs/ toads around PGP?
him : Frogs?
me : Erm, yeah. I am doing this project on frogs/toads around NUS.
him: Oh, frogs? No, i have never seen them here
me : What about calls?
him: Calls. Yes, sometimes. Behind the PGP back gate area.
me: Oh, okay. Thanks.Thanks.
him: I will tell u if i hear or see any.Yeah, u're welcome
me : Thanks again and have a nice day =)
him: *Smiles (gets back to work)
And another sad piece of news to share, went to check out that area which had the foamy gooey stuff. It was so, (triple sigh) i felt like fainting. Haha. That area was all dried up. End of story. (some stories are just more boring than others).
Maybe that may be causing the decline in frogs/toad population?
Anyway, there were only a few possible endings to that story,
version 1- the gooey stuff became tadpoles. Wah very happy
version 2-the gooey stuff were not frogspawn, it was a false alarm
version 3-the area dried up
*maybe there is a story to tell from this, hopefully=)
remains optimistic about the Anurans,
aliciatan
me: Hi, Good morning
him: yeah, Hi (while turning off his high pressure hose)
me: Have you seen any frogs/ toads around PGP?
him : Frogs?
me : Erm, yeah. I am doing this project on frogs/toads around NUS.
him: Oh, frogs? No, i have never seen them here
me : What about calls?
him: Calls. Yes, sometimes. Behind the PGP back gate area.
me: Oh, okay. Thanks.Thanks.
him: I will tell u if i hear or see any.Yeah, u're welcome
me : Thanks again and have a nice day =)
him: *Smiles (gets back to work)
And another sad piece of news to share, went to check out that area which had the foamy gooey stuff. It was so, (triple sigh) i felt like fainting. Haha. That area was all dried up. End of story. (some stories are just more boring than others).
Maybe that may be causing the decline in frogs/toad population?
Anyway, there were only a few possible endings to that story,
version 1- the gooey stuff became tadpoles. Wah very happy
version 2-the gooey stuff were not frogspawn, it was a false alarm
version 3-the area dried up
*maybe there is a story to tell from this, hopefully=)
remains optimistic about the Anurans,
aliciatan
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
frogspawn?
Date : 29th January 2008 (Tuesday)
It was raining heavily from about 4.00 to 5.00pm. So, i thought i might as well go for a walk around PGP. The area was rather marshy. There were suprisingly more waterlogged areas than i expected. I was walking along the drains/canals, straining hard to find some form of life. Walked rather aimlessly for about an hour, just to give this area another chance to perform.
I was actually looking for tadpoles or at least some form of indicator that there were frog beings around. Anyway, didnt hear any calls. Even the pond was as frogless and tadpoleless as ever. I saw quite a few guppies though.
As i was walking near the children's playground, i saw THIS area. This magnificent area. It has this foammy like thing with some gooey stuff. Took a picture of it. Hope its worth the film. I will check out that foamy thing the first thing tomorrow. I really hope its some frogspawn.
Alicia
It was raining heavily from about 4.00 to 5.00pm. So, i thought i might as well go for a walk around PGP. The area was rather marshy. There were suprisingly more waterlogged areas than i expected. I was walking along the drains/canals, straining hard to find some form of life. Walked rather aimlessly for about an hour, just to give this area another chance to perform.
I was actually looking for tadpoles or at least some form of indicator that there were frog beings around. Anyway, didnt hear any calls. Even the pond was as frogless and tadpoleless as ever. I saw quite a few guppies though.
As i was walking near the children's playground, i saw THIS area. This magnificent area. It has this foammy like thing with some gooey stuff. Took a picture of it. Hope its worth the film. I will check out that foamy thing the first thing tomorrow. I really hope its some frogspawn.
Alicia
Monday, January 28, 2008
A Frogful night
Date : 28th January 2008
Time: 7.20pm to 8.00pm
Weather : fair
-Nigel, Shinyee and I
Today, I caught the smallest frog, I have ever seen. It was so small, I didn't even think it was a frog. It was a Microphyla heymonsi, more commonly known as the dark-sided chorus frog. We heard the call all over the place. Being such a noobie, I was just frantically trying to spot one. Nigel then asked to to stay at one spot to spot carefully and patiently. Yeah, then we managed to get one of those lil creature. It was brownish, with a distinct blackish brown line at its side. It was really cool. =). Couldnt get a picture of it though, due to a technical setback of my camera.
Then, we proceeded near a pond, to spot the Rana erythraea species. Shinyee spotted one. Sigh, when i tried to grab it, (i think i wasn't using enough brains), i let it slipped through my hands. And leaped to dunno where. Anyway, i enjoyed this session quite a lot. I learnt how to handle a small frog, and also to act faster the next time (the Rana erythraea incident).
After that, at about 8ish to about 9.30pm, we went from KE7, down to Medicine and then back. Typically urban, found nothing. Then, as we were heading back, we heard this frog call. The area was quite wet, with a few puddles. However, the croaking stopped as we went closer. I will definitely go back there for a 2nd search. At least, there's hope. =)
Alicia
Time: 7.20pm to 8.00pm
Weather : fair
-Nigel, Shinyee and I
Today, I caught the smallest frog, I have ever seen. It was so small, I didn't even think it was a frog. It was a Microphyla heymonsi, more commonly known as the dark-sided chorus frog. We heard the call all over the place. Being such a noobie, I was just frantically trying to spot one. Nigel then asked to to stay at one spot to spot carefully and patiently. Yeah, then we managed to get one of those lil creature. It was brownish, with a distinct blackish brown line at its side. It was really cool. =). Couldnt get a picture of it though, due to a technical setback of my camera.
Then, we proceeded near a pond, to spot the Rana erythraea species. Shinyee spotted one. Sigh, when i tried to grab it, (i think i wasn't using enough brains), i let it slipped through my hands. And leaped to dunno where. Anyway, i enjoyed this session quite a lot. I learnt how to handle a small frog, and also to act faster the next time (the Rana erythraea incident).
After that, at about 8ish to about 9.30pm, we went from KE7, down to Medicine and then back. Typically urban, found nothing. Then, as we were heading back, we heard this frog call. The area was quite wet, with a few puddles. However, the croaking stopped as we went closer. I will definitely go back there for a 2nd search. At least, there's hope. =)
Alicia
Sunday, January 27, 2008
More Frog Ramblings..
It has been a pretty busy week. I amended my proposal and did a schedule for my frogging sessions. I will try to do more frogging this week. Just to see how things go. i am also hoping for "good" WEaTher. And, i will be meeting Mr. Siva on Tuesday.
Tomorrow night(monday), I will be going to Science and NUH area, just to check out the place. Hope to find some frogs/toads in the midst of the saturation of concrete and tiles. Wonder how the night will turn out.
Anyway, if there are frogs/toads, good for that area. If not, hope it's worth a 2nd "visit".
Alicia
Tomorrow night(monday), I will be going to Science and NUH area, just to check out the place. Hope to find some frogs/toads in the midst of the saturation of concrete and tiles. Wonder how the night will turn out.
Anyway, if there are frogs/toads, good for that area. If not, hope it's worth a 2nd "visit".
Alicia
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Katak ke kodok?
Random pictures of frogging sessions..
My first Asian toad of the Year Bufo melanostictus
My "legendary" Banded Bullfrog ,Kaloula pulchra
Bufo melanostictus
Alicia
Pictures by Audrey
My first Asian toad of the Year Bufo melanostictus
My "legendary" Banded Bullfrog ,Kaloula pulchra
Bufo melanostictus
Alicia
Pictures by Audrey
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