The first time I contacted Mr Khew was on May 2008 for his help to identify a butterfly that I photographed at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. It’s Hieroglyphic Flat.
He told me about the blog ButterflyCircle that he has maintained since 2006 until now.
That’s the complete guide for anyone who want to know and learn about butterfly.

Here is our ‘nature talk’ about Butterfly

Mr Khew, we know your passion and your dedication for butterflies. How did it started?
It started a long time ago when I was a 10-year old schoolboy.  Back in those days, we didn’t have all the digital devices and computer games that kids today are so fortunate to have.  After school, we found our own entertainment in the environment around us – catching longkang fishes, dragonflies, beetles and of course, butterflies.  I had a very encouraging Biology teacher in school and she encouraged me to learn more about butterflies.  A neighbour bought me the 1st Edition of “Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula” by Corbet & Pendlebury, and that started me off on a lifelong journey of learning more about butterflies.  

How did you start the ButterflyCircle Blog?
Originally, I had a website way back in the late 1990s.  But I was inspired by a few nature bloggers who kept the community updated through their interesting blogposts.  Examples of these bloggers are Ms Ria Tan (Wild Singapore Blog) and Dr Wee Yeow Chin (Bird Ecology Study Group).  I also visited quite a few local blogs and decided to start on my own blog in Aug 2007.  I started regular weekend blogging later that year, and kept up a minimum of an article per week for 14 years!  Time flies.  These days, I don’t post so often, perhaps one or two articles a month.  Time for younger generation to take on sharing the knowledge in the nature community!

Is there values which you have learnt from butterflies that you can use in your life or work?
My interest in butterflies brought me to understand the plants that are associated with them.  As the knowledge increased, the information was used in conservation and recommending butterfly-attracting nectaring and host plants to landscaping and building projects to promote better butterfly diversity in these projects.  After years of photographing butterflies, it also allowed me to get my weekly exercise and appreciate the nature around us.  It also taught me a lot of patience and to expect the unexpected, as nature can never really be controlled by man.

Any unforgettable experience that you have during your trip to find butterfly?
Each butterflying trip is special, whether local or overseas.  There is always so many new things to observe and learn about butterflies.  

What’s your favourite butterfly?
My Avatar on social media and my websites is the Commander (Moduza procris milonia).  This species holds a special place in my memory when I first encountered it back in the 1970’s.  It was the first time I had seen one, and it took me several days after that first encounter to hunt it down again and chasing it in the forests. That was an unforgettable experience.

What’s your view for Singapore to maintain butterfly population?
Singapore is a good place to cultivate and maintain a good butterfly population.  With the correct plants in our urban landscape, NParks and other community gardeners have brought more butterflies into our city’s green spaces.  Whilst our nature reserves and parks are also important sanctuaries for the forest-dependent species, our urban species have been able to thrive as Singapore’s City in a Garden, and now, City In Nature, strategies have helped in enhancing our biodiversity.

Any tips for us to take butterfly photos, as we know some butterflies are really fast and any guidance not to disturb the nature?
Take some time to observe butterflies and how they behave.  Those that are “distracted” whilst feeding, resting or mating, for example, are easier to approach and photograph.  When you approach a butterfly, do not make sudden movements as they are sensitive to even the slightest movements. They need to be alert to predators and any attempts to move in close too quickly will scare them off.  When out in the field, wear drab or dull coloured clothing so that you do not stand out too much and spotted by the butterflies long before you even see them! 

I heard about your butterfly book. Can you tell a bit about that book?

The two field guides that I wrote was primarily to share a greater awareness of Singapore’s butterfly diversity to the community.  I purposely made sure that it was supported by photos of butterflies in the field, and no dead butterflies were featured as the book was not intended to be a serious scientific taxonomic work.  I hope that through the book, Singaporeans and residents will be able to identify the butterflies that they encounter when out in our parks and gardens, and hopefully appreciate them and to be able to help in their conservation for our future generations to enjoy.


For younger generations who want to follow their nature passion, what’s your advice for them?
Just keep your eyes and ears open, and enjoy Mother Nature’s creations all around us.  Learn as much as you can about all the flora and fauna that share our planet with us, and participate in the conservation efforts to help nature co-exist harmoniously with us! 

Khew Sin Khoon
https://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/

The post The ‘Butterfly Man’ Khew Sin Khoon appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Here is our talk with Serin Subaraj ( Co-founder of the Herpetological Society of Singapore, Wildlife Naturalist and Wildlife Photographer )

What is Herping?
“herping” which comes from the Greek word for crawling.
Herping is the art of looking or searching for reptiles and amphibians
Herping can be done during the day or night.
But mostly frogs and snakes mostly come out at night ( nocturnal critters ) so herping mostly done at night.

Why are you interested in this herping activity?
I have always been fascinated with the natural world. My interest towards herpetofauna stemmed from their beauty, the challenge of finding them and to show the public that they are Severely misunderstood and under appreciated.

As one of the co-founder of The Herpetological Society of Singapore, Can you tell us how this society was formed?
The society was formed by a group of like-minded individuals who have a passion for nature, conservation and herpetofauna. It was formed to encourage and inspire fellow like-minded individuals to pursue their passion. It was also formed to educate Singaporeans on the amazing herpetofauna diversity that exists in Sg and the importance of their conservation

If we want to learn how to ‘herping’ any guidance and any tour that we can follow?
Please Follow the HSS (Herpetological Society of Singapore) Facebook page to join our walks to learn more about the herpetofauna in Singapore.
HSS FB: https://www.facebook.com/herpsocsg/
HSS Website: https://herpsocsingapore.wordpress.com/

Can you tell us the basic things we need to know if we want to do herping?
The simplest and easiest way to go herping is to have patience.
Walk slowly and scan your surrounds. Many species of herps are well camouflaged or hidden in the leaf litter or dense foliage.
Some basic things:
– Please not to touch or handling them as much as possible
– Leave these creature in the place you found it
– Make sure not to go alone, please bring you buddy.
– Don’t forget your handphone and charge it. It’s useful for emergency
– Torchlight is useful tool to find the creatures.

Any tips and guidance for photographer in the process of herping?
Always approach a reptile or amphibian slowly as sudden movement will cause them to flee.
If it is a venomous snake, give it a solid 2m of space for safety.
Ensure that the flash set up as a good and thick diffuser so as to not blind the animal. Refrain from firing off the flash multiple times as it can affect the animals eyes and behaviour.

Note: All the photos above was taken in Singapore

Please visit: https://www.instagram.com/serinnaturephotography/ for other amazing wildlife photos from Serin

Herpetological Society of Singapore
https://herpsocsingapore.wordpress.com/

We are trying to learn and understand our nature and wildlife and try not to disturb them.
“Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!” Chief Si ahl

The post Herping with Serin Subaraj appeared first on Singapore Geographic.

Shore Pit Viper C. Purpureomaculatus was first coined by the original describer John E Gray in 1832 because of the purple spots on the particular specimen he was describing, although we now know that body pattern and coloration is variable in this species.


This is our ‘Nature talk’ with him.

Peter, can you let us know how you met ‘Blu’ and why did you name it ‘Blu’ ?
I first met “Blu” in December 2017, at Pasir Ris. However, I can’t confirm that she is the only viper in Pasir Ris Park (PRP) mangrove that has that bluish stripe.
I named it “Blu” because this viper has a bluish stripe on its flanks.
I gave this name for easy identification and reference. For example, we have a community here in Pasir Ris Park. When we meet each other, we exchange sightings. It’s easier to describe it if it has a name.

Is there many other type of shore pit viper that any other colour than blue?
Many other colour variations of shore-pit vipers were spotted in PRP, other than ‘Blu’ there are also “Olive” and “Rusty” but to-date I have not name all of them yet.

For the visitors to the park, what do they need to do if they encounter snake?
Important for park goers to be mindful when they are walking along the boardwalk of the mangrove. Sometimes the vipers may be resting on wires or the boardwalk. During the walk, please be aware of your surroundings, minimise the noise, and avoid looking at your handphone, as along the boardwalk you may see any wildlife animal or snake.
When you see the pit viper snake, remain calm, and try not disturb them. Most of the  pit vipers are not active during the day, as it is time for them to rest.
Sometimes, snakes may be in a dangerous position such as in the middle of boardwalk. It potentially may cause harm to humans as well as itself, so please kindly contact NParks or ACRES.
Otherwise, leave them alone and they will usually go away at night.

What is the dos and don’ts when visitors want to take photos of the snake?

 If you would like to take photos of the snake, especially for photographers, please capture the photos of what you see and make sure you keep a safe distance. Please do not disturb them by using sticks or by throwing something to the snake.
Some photographers have the habit of prodding snakes with sticks to get good photos. Please don’t do this.
You are stressing the snakes who are resting as well as denying fellow park photographers from shooting the snakes (because if you disturb them, they will move away).

Please note that all tips and advice are based on observations and not scientific studies.

We are trying to learn and understand our nature and wildlife and try not to disturb them.
“Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints!” Chief Si ahl

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