Yesterday on my lunch break I took a walk past the lakes at the university I work at. It was a glorious day and the sun was rather warm. I walked across a small wooden bridge and looked down at the murky water beneath. I was thrilled to not only spot one, but two other turtles, and about three eels swimming past. The animals became more visible as they passed from the darkened waters beneath my shadow into the sunlit water. I observed one particular turtle that surfaced beneath my shadow and poked its head out of the water (with eyes clearly visible) as if looking at me – maybe the turtle thought I was going to throw some food in. I also observed two turtles swimming together. The eels as they swam past moved gracefully. They are fascinating animals I thought.
Further on my walk to the other side of the lake, I observed a Little Pied Cormorant perched on a tree branch over hanging the lake and also later one in the water (it may have been the same individual that I observed). And I was also lucky to observed and photograph what I think was an Oriental Darter (due to the bird’s long neck) perched on a submerged branch/log. I watch the bird clean its feather with its bill and then open its beak and squark. This was the first time I had heard an Oriental Darter make a sound.
And along with these animals, I observed a myriad of water birds (Moorhens, Swamphens, White Ibis and duck) on or around the lakes.
What an awesome way to spend your lunch break – observing wildlife!
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