Ah, Sungei Buloh. A treasure trove filled with the beauty and wonders of nature. What more can I tell you about it that I had not said before:
How about the announcement of the upcoming expansion of the reserve that will cover over 400 hectares? And that it comprises core habitats, such as mangroves, mudflats, and freshwater marshes.
The extension of the reserve does not just mean more birdwatching and photography spots for nature lovers and shutterbugs.
As Singapore becomes more urbanised, more of these ecological sites will get isolated. The growing fragmentation of habitats will reduce the amount of suitable living space for species, potentially leading to biodiversity loss.
That's why initiatives like the new Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network and the One Million Trees movement are significant. They connect these fragmented habitats and strengthen the conservation of our biodiversity for the long term.
Right now, Singapore is moving from its "City in a Garden" to its new "City in Nature" identity—which is a subtle but crucial transition. The initial mentality of a "City in a Garden" is that of a planned space, where people can manage and enjoy their ideal design of nature.
However, nature is more than a man-made, controlled environment.
It is a thriving ecosystem filled with different habitats, plants, animals, microorganisms, and abiotic components coexisting and interacting with one another. To be able to photograph wildlife and share these moments of ecological interactions with other people is already a gift.
Instead of viewing nature as an entity that we can manage and benefit from, we should also work towards cultivating our relationship with nature and make space for it to flourish in our urban setting.
The irreplaceable silence of nature
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a historic nature paradise for photographers and visitors who want to get away from the bustling city. The value that the reserve brings to our well-being and society is immeasurable.
How do we determine the value of nature?
In modern times, it seems as though we have to put a value on everything to weigh the benefits and costs before making a decision. You have tools like benefit-cost analysis, ecosystem services valuation, and life cycle analysis to help decision-makers determine the best course of action to safeguard the environment.
Coming from a Life Sciences background, I understand that ecological assessment tools are essential. They give information and foster systematic thinking to an otherwise structureless context. It also decreases the likelihood of unanticipated consequences for decision-makers.
Yet, many of these assessment tools approach nature in terms of monetary or economic worth. In other words, we are evaluating nature based on human values and experiences and how it relates to our well-being.
Another way of evaluating nature worth considering is the intrinsic value of ecosystems. Rather than purely seeing nature as a means to our well-being and human benefit, we should also value nature as an end in itself.
Nature has value in its own right, independent of human uses. There's no need to continually put a price tag on it.
How does photography help with environmental conservation?
Why do you do nature photography in the first place?
That's the question that I asked myself when I was brainstorming ideas for this post.
Similar to street photography, there is a meditative effect in appreciating the beauty of the environment and observing the events happening around you. I immediately think of nature photographers like Frans Lanting and Morten Hilmer, whose images and photography videos inspire me to go out and explore what nature has to offer.
The wonderful thing about nature photography—and as with most photography pursuits—is the joy of seeing life's unexpected events and capturing them as they happen. You are not controlling or weighing the value of anything; you are merely present and appreciating nature as a living, breathing ecosystem.
Think back to when you were a child, and you have this innocent wonder of the world. It is this sense of wonder that we should strive to bring out in nature photography.
By exhibiting the intrinsic beauty of nature and wildlife, it raises the awareness that the environment is something worth protecting, and we should conserve it as much as we can.
My favourite nature photography location
There are many nature photography spots in Singapore.
Recently, my friend and his dad brought me to this hidden spot near Changi Business Park bus terminal. After that, we drove to Pasir Ris Park, where we got to see a Collared Kingfisher, Oriental Pied Hornbills, and Crested Goshawks.
There was plenty of action to go around that day. The Hornbills and Goshawks were both fighting for territory, and at one point, the Hornbills chased a lone Goshawk to a low-lying tree, where my friend shot this stellar moment:
But still, my favourite photography location has to be good old Sungei Buloh. Not just because it's a prime location for photography and wildlife, but also because of its historical development and significance towards nature conservation.
My go-to spots within Sungei Buloh are the birdwatching hides, especially Hide 1D:
It's a bit of a walk from the Wetland Centre, but Hide 1D offers an eye-level view of the birds in the area. That's significant as a photographer because you want to capture your subject at eye level to pique people's interest and draw them into the image.
Not to mention, you can usually spot birds—like Storks, Herons, and Egrets—or some form of activity happening at Hide 1D. One morning, I saw this bird swooping down from a distant tree branch and snatching a fish right out of the water (I still can't identify the bird. So if anyone can recognise it, do let me know):
Needless to say, after photographing that priceless moment, I went back home with a smile on my face.
It's these kinds of moments that I live for, and I'm always excited to wake up knowing that I have the opportunity of photographing something new in the morning. And when we do photograph something worthwhile, we should share it with people as an act of appreciation for nature's wonders.
Bonus photography tip: start your day early
The most important nature photography tip I can give is to simply start your day early.
The other advice I would suggest is to look at the weather app the day before. Planning ahead and waking up early to do nature photography has a ton of benefits.
Not only do you get the benefit of the soft, warm natural light, but birds are also more active in the morning and towards the late afternoon. Like us, they do not enjoy Singapore's midday sun; birds are more likely to go out hunting for food in the cool early morning than in the blazing hot afternoon sun.
What's more, you get to enjoy the sunrise and the stillness that comes with being alone amongst the sounds and happenings in the nature reserve.
Check out my video essay on "What is 'A City in Nature': Lessons from Sungei Buloh"
About the author: Darius Tay is a photographer/visual storyteller who loves capturing meaningful moments and uses photography to tell stories and find beauty in everyday life. If you would like to leave a comment or engage him, feel free to email him at dariustay5@gmail.com.
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