Carlson88: Ecology Camp

Time flying really fast. There has already been a long time since my last post. In these few weeks, things happened around me even cannot be said uncountable, but also quite number. However, in this post, I am going to share with you guys about my latest camp which was compulsary for everyone in my course. The camp was in Ulu Gombak. Perhaps, this is the most meaningful camp that I have joined.

Since the duration of the whole camp was 6 days 5 nights, the post definitely will be very lengthy if I write every single things. Therefore, I decided to share with you guys with pictures.

FIRST DAY

Everyday, 6 meals will be served and most imporatantly, the meals were good. =) Picture above was our very first meal.

Based on our seniors, this river used to be a very clean and clear river. However, when we been there, we have noticed that the river was abit muddy. Anyhow, we have a lot fun here. Haha...

Jungle walk session on the first day. Throughout the session, Prof. Rosli (person stood at the front most) has shown us alot of new things. He is really an excellent lecturer. =)

This is the most difficult terrain in jungle walk. One of my coursemates even slipped down to the valley. Luckily, she managed to catch a root and no injured.

Have you seen this before?? This is a leech; somemore, this is a full leech. This creature is plenty around the camp. Lolz...

SECOND DAY

Butterfly sampling. One of the precious skills that I have learnt in camp. =)

This bird is called Kingfisher. Really a nice bird. This was caught by the staffs by using mist-net.

Ants are so common around us. But this is special because is the Queen. Seriously, this was my first time to see the Queen. I believe same goes to everyone. The person in the right photo is our lecturer from German specialized in ants. He was the one showing us the Queen.

Night walk in jungle on the second day. Actually, we were looking for lizards, snakes and Slow Loris (search google if don't know what is this). However, we only found this. Anywhere, this is nice, right? =)

Another beautiful creature in the forest.

This is nothing to do with ecology thing. But it is frightening right if you see this in a forest.

THIRD DAY

Bird Watching Session- We were trying to observe the lifestyle of birds. But so sad, we couldn't find much. Perhaps, it is another effect of environmental problems.

The greeny-view. One word-NICE!! Haha...

The binocular that we used for bird-watching.

All of us set a rat trap each to catch the small mammals like squirrel. Unfortunately, 22 of us has failed. =(

This is the mist trap that I mentioned before. Don't think we are cruel. We catched it for research purposes only. After that, the bird will be released back.

I believe you must wonder what is this. Actually, this is a stingless bee nest. Another gorgeous work in nature. Nice, right? =)

Anyone of my friend has seen such a gigantic milipede? This is the king species of the milipede family.

River Profiling - We were looking for aquatic invertebrate. This is a very important lesson in the whole camp.

Photos below were the invertebrates that we caught and captured under the microscope.

I only remember the name of this. Stonefly, a bioindicatior. Their existence indicates that the river is clean.

FOURTH DAY

River Investigation - first stop is at the lower stream of Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak which is at the middle-heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Prof. Halim was explaining the procedures of river investigation which are checking the dissolved oxygen, pH, etc etc. He is another marvellous lecturer.

Lecturer was showing us the way of collecting water sample. The water sample will be used to check the amount of chemical substances contained.

Second stop is the upper stream of Sungai Klang which is around Taman Melati. For your information, the origin of Klang river is a reservoir which named as Klang Gate Dam. This is an usable water storage dam. Hence, we were not allowed to visit in case of any negligence happen.

Is this nice? They look like coral reef. However, it is a type of algae and can only live in shallow water as sunlight is maximum at the surface.

The piping above is for transmitting water. Klang Gate Dam is one of the most important dams in Klang Valley especially during the drought season.

This area is near to the landslide area-Bukit Antarabangsa.

Our third stop is the origin of Gombak river. The water here is the best as no any development taking place around the area.

Can you notice something at the picture above? This is a stonefly, another bio-indicator. They are plenty at the origin of Gombak river, indicates that the water there indeed very clean.

We were required to perform something on the fourth day. One of my very creative coursemates, Xinle suggested that we sing with some unidentical instruments accompany. I told to shake a plastic bottle filled with sand. Haih... Really a music noob. Mistakes here and there.