Tropical Swamp

[David]

Was in Sitiawan, Perak last week and decided to visit the swamps there... Also with ulterior motive to see if there are ant plants growing there... Haa, haaa... No luck tho'.

Just some pictures to share.

I just love how the roots grow out of the earth and above the waterline. It was low tide when I was there. when it is high tide, half the roots will be covered with water.













Monkeys....











Crab... Can't get a clear shot of the crabs. Camera can't zoom that far. If I get closer, they will dissapear into their holes in the mud. This is the only shot that came out better a little.

[Khoas]

I do love mangrove swamps. I am just glad I live in Southern Australia and don't have to play with Mr. Saltie.

[kentosaurs]

Hi David

Nice pics......I've only sat on boats around mangrove swamps.....The roots always face upwards.....In fact the tour guide actually said those trees played a little role in blocking the tsunami waves from affecting much of langkawi island....True or not i don't know...And also saw those colourful crabs the males with one extremely large hands and the females looking less colourful and normaly looking...Nice...And no Mr Saltie there too

Ken

[Amelie.Poulain]

David, wonderful shots, especially love the crab

errhh... what's Mr.Saltie (sorry a bit ole' skool)

[Amelie.Poulain]

ok ok.. got it!

See ya later alligator!

[David]

It is true that the trees act as a wall to break the waves from the tsunami. Those are fiddler crabs that you saw. I like to watch the males when they are trying to attract the females. They would use move their huge claws around trying to show off to the females. Kinda like telling the females, I have a bigger claw. It is also funny when they try to fight with another male.

[David]

Just saw your post funkychips. Thanks for the info. Good to know what species of mangrove trees they are. Actually I am also at a lost on what Mr. Salties are. What are they?

[David]

Oh, Mr. salty is salt water crocodiles is it?

[funkychips]

David, if I may add, the mangrove tree species is a Brugueira species. It inhabits the higher levels of the mangrove coastline. Known locally as 'bakau putih', this mangrove species is distinguished from the others by its greyish thick and dense roots.

These photos remind me of those bygone fieldtrip days when we wore latex boots and squelched and waded through the mudflats. The fiddler crabs were the first to dart out of sight but the mudskippers are easier to spot.

Ken: Yeah you are right, the mangrove roots act as a barrier to minimise impact of the waves.
Khoas: We have our own version of mr salties here in the Peninsular but he is not so big compared to mr salties of Borneo. :P