We were on our way out of Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve when we saw a lesser coucal (Centropus begalensis) drying its wings after a rain. It had emerged from the grasslands in the adjacent property to the railings after the afternoon showers, as it is wont to do. We watched from the car as it shook itself dry and stretched and preened its wings.
I have loved watching coucals since I first spotted them in the department's garden two decades ago, when they used to emerge in the evening to hunt the changeable lizard where Block S1A now stands.
This was about the first shot I grabbed through the car window. For some reason, there was a hazy sheen that stretched across the Straits of Johor at 2pm. So the early afternoon had instead an early morning ambience. This sure was a lovely reward for the morning's SPROUTS workshop @ Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve.
Otterman speaks... 