A monitor lizard at Kruak wetlands

Monitor lizard basking at the edge of Kruak Wetlands

Edible young 'Miding' fern.

The Kruak wetlands has  brought a big surprise today with the sighting of a monitor lizard.  A tall dead tree nearby was a perfect place for it to bask in the sun.  The area seems to be a favourite place for the lizard primarily for its damp and wet ground, thick vegetation to hide and probably for the availability of food.  It is also my favourite place for collecting the "Miding' ferns for vegetable cooked with the popular local paste called 'Belacan' of course! On the sidelines I met a lone Shield Bug clinging to the broad leaf of the 'Simpoh Air' (Dillenia suffructicosa).  The Kruak wetlands is thickly populated with the Simpoh Air plant.

The tall dead tree is seen in the middle of the picture.  In front is seen a section of Kruak Wetlands that is thickly populated with the Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffructicosa) shrub.

Shield bug, many are seen clinging on to the broad leaf of the Simpoh Air.

HelooOO Mr. Monitor

Look somewhere in the middle of the picture." Hello there Mr. Monitor!"
View of typical lowland hill forest landscape and ecosystem
Zone B

Monitor Lizard

 It was a very unusual encounter.  At a section of a preserved area with  thick undergrowth and tall trees typical of the lowland forest ecology, I stumbled upon a Monitor Lizard.  This is the first time I ever see it basking on a long tree trunk.  Previously on two occasions I did see it running swiftly on the ground.  However today's show was unique in that it seemed oblivious of my presence.  I was about 50 meters from the tree it clung to.  What could it be waiting for? So far to the best of my knowledge this area is normally frequented by squirrels, tree shrews, bats on the higher ground and on the swampy and wet areas below are present many types of frogs, snakes etc.  Or was it after some bird's eggs? I wonder .....

View of lowland hill forest integrated with oil palm cultivation
Zone G, looking south.