On the south-south-west tip of Johor, there lies an island named Merambong. It is not very big. Maybe the size of small football stadium? Despite its size and its proximity to a very busy port, the island holds many surprises. The surrounding areas are rich in marine life! How long this will remain depends on the political powers that be. Conservation efforts and awareness are but a small voice in the gale forces of 'money talks'.
We made a weekend journey down south and these are some of the images captured:
Merambong and its surroundings at low tide. It was difficult to walk without stepping on something that could be a marine lifeform.
Another use for a discarded truck tire. It is now the base for seagrass and other smaller marine creatures to shelter. Further back of the photo you would be able to make out the 2nd Link Bridge from Johor into Singapore.
A Peacock Anemone in the shallow water.
Here's another view from beneath the water surface.
Walk slowly and you will chance upon many interesting creatures. Can you spot the crab in the picture?
Its not that big, but rather brave. Stood up against a monstrous lens that might have 'sucked' its lifeforce away!
Walking in the shallow waters, there are many flower crabs that you can see. There's not one, but two in this picture!
It was defending its mate. All these while, the mate in front never moved the tiniest bit! The one at the back would do its best, even running off to try to draw attention away then zooming back to its defense position.
This was another interesting crab. I was about to take some shots of it underwater but it scooted away before I could get into position. While I was tracking to see where it might have gone to .....
.... this came into my view. WOW! Forget the crab! I've got a more interesting subject now. Maybe it was the crab's ploy to get away... hahaha!
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Hippocampus Kuda - Seahorse
Gorgeous! That itself would have made the whole trip worthwhile.
How the underwater pics of the seahorse were taken:
