Red leaves and critter spottings at the Hong Kong Wetland Park :) (Photo-essay)

I'm loath to have my final post of 2022 be a depressing one.  So here's going ahead and sharing some photos from my most recent excursion to the Hong Kong Wetland Park along with the following (true) story: On my most recent visit to this Tin Shui Wai facility before this one a few years ago, I encountered a larger number than previously of loud Mainland Chinese/Putonghua-speakers and, perhaps coincidentally, fewer birds.  There also was construction going on nearby and I got to worrying that the wildlife that was free to go as they please would stop visiting the area.  

Fast forward to this week's visit; with my first impressions being one of shock at how many more residences and shops there now were nearby; with work on the first phase of Wetland Seasons Park having completed earlier this year.  Also, even while the Hong Kong-Mainland China border has yet to fully reopen (though that is due to happen very soon), this was the first I had to queue for several minutes to buy admissions ticket to the Hong Kong Wetland Park!

 

Still, a few minutes after I got into its grounds, I was able to get away for the most part from the crowds.  And best of all: this 2022 visit may well be my best yet for bird watching; with my seeing a great many more birds than I remembered doing so on my most recent visit before this one as well as quite a variety!  So my fears about the birds staying away from the area look to be unfounded, and maybe nature -- and the world in general -- is more resilient than we realize... :)

 

Pui Pui, the saltwater crocodile that is the Hong Kong

Wetland Park's most famous resident

 

This clump of red-leaved trees appeared to be the Hong Kong 

Wetland Park's biggest attraction this time around!

 

While many cameras were trained at the red leaves, I think

 mine was the only trained at the water lilies in the nearby pond ;b

 

Lots of great cormorant spottings to be had at the park :b

 

Lookit the long legs on the black-winged stilt!
 

The easily recognizable black-faced spoonbills 

and one gray heron in the mix for good measure :)

 

I don't know the name of this bird because I couldn't

find a picture of a member of its species on the

Hong Kong Wetland Park website! :O

 

The critter I was most excited to have spotted (and on

a red leaf, no less!): some kind of mantis whose face

I think cartoonishly cute! :b

And for the last time in 2022: Hong Kong is really beautiful, and I still really f**king love this place I call home!