Visiting The Jurong Birds, Series One

After smitten and awed by the beauty of the Philippine wild birds from Romy Ocon’s blog site, I decided to post my recent photographs taken from a past visit to Jurong Bird Park (Bus 194 or 251 from Boon Lay Bus Interchange, Boon Lay MRT Station - green line).

Jurong Bird Park is one of the animal related attractions that Singapore offers (besides Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari) to tourists, visitors, and even locals who wants to get away with family and friends from the hectic city life they have. Even the OFWs like me can spend some time to relax and admire the wondrous nature of different species of birds such as the first group I’m introducing below.

The following are some the African wetlands birds I encountered near the entrance of the park.

The big ones, such as the odd Saddle-billed stork above with bright red and yellow beak, can’t be easily missed out as most of them seem to stop and gamely pose before enthusiastic photographers like me.

Maybe you would like to have a staring match against this large, grumpy looking Shoebill (c’mon punk, make my day). Honestly, it really looks menacing at it seems to eye visitors from a distance as they stand motionless. This bird is also known as the Whalehead.

One of the small birds (above) that I commonly see silently passing through the grasses. I don’t know exactly the name of this fowl, but this is one of my favorite photographs I took from this section of the park. I saw this silently perched and minding something from afar.

I also like the photograph above of a Blue Crane in a stance as if daydreaming. Its head and long slender neck complement well with the surrounding tall grasses.

I moved out towards the next area nearest to the African wetlands - the cove of the flamingos. The species of flamingos gathered here are the Caribbean Flamingos with pink and dark orange-red plumage. The following images are two of the best photographs I took of the flamingos.

Below is a Crowned Pigeon. Crowned Pigeons are the largest members of the pigeon family. When they sit, they look more like bluish plump turkeys instead of a usual pigeon. And look, they have blood red eyes. I would always find one sitting on top of the wooden fence inside the cages where these birds were enclosed. Visitors can enter the cages and watch these big pigeons at a closer distance.

Tags: African birds, birds, flamingos, Jurong Bird Park, pigeons

13.May.08 Interesting Places, Photo Series Comments (0)

Mother’s Day Dedication

On Mother’s Day today:

• May the blessings of God nurture the souls of our ever dearest beloved mothers whom we owe our precious lives.
• May everyone continuously love and respect, give thanks, and provide joy to our beloved mothers whom we cherish their everlasting love for us.
• May the coming years of our beloved mothers become more fruitful and wonderful as each year passes by, treasuring precious moments with us, their children, and strengthening bonds till the end of days.

Thanks Mom for everything (you know them). Thanks for the love and guidance you’ve always provided for us in times of abundance and times of scarcity, in times of bliss and in times of grief. I really wonder how you’re still capable of loving us even on days we seem to ignore your love and fidelity for us (really sorry for that). But that’s the wonder and beauty of mothers like you, mom. Dedicated souls to their children. A dedication to life that only (all) mothers would know.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Tags: flowers, Mother's Day

11.May.08 Greetings, Life Events Comments (0)

Small Wonders Come In Macro Pictures

After purchasing my own achromatic close-up lens filter, I started to take pictures of the wondrous world of small creatures and plants. It’s a wondrous adventure alright as one takes photographs of the world of small creatures (mainly insects) and plants (buds and flower close-ups).

I wouldn’t consider these pictures as true macro shots since I didn’t use a lens that provides true 1:1 imaging (or so I learned from several sources; I’m still a beginner in DSLR photography). One day, I may purchase a true macro lens with excellent focus. In the meantime, I’m enjoying using my lens filter to focus on interesting tiny subjects found in parks, beaches, gardens, and even inside the house.

Plant bud. I’m not sure of the name of the plant where this bud protruded from. This photograph taken inside Labrador Park.

I noticed this tiny reddish spider while trekking on the coastal concrete barrier along Labrador Park beach.

It was slightly raining at the time I revisited the Botanical Gardens. I saw this green plant laced with water droplets floating on a pond.

Could this be some species (or cousin) of a fly? I came across this flying creature while exploring the flower buds along the staircase in the Botanical Gardens.

Lots of black ants gather around this red plant bud in the Botanical Gardens.

A closer look at the petals of a flower wet with water droplets inside the Botanical Gardens.

Meanwhile, these platoon of ants busily foraged on the bark of one of the park trees in Changi Beach park.

A flower head with hairy protrusions similar to dandelions. I’m not sure what this plant is called but there are a lot like this under the trees in Changi Beach.

I had some sambal fried rice lunch in a restaurant nearby when I visited Changi Chapel and Museum one Sunday afternoon. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the tomato to test my macro filter while I waited for my drink to be served.

Tags: flowers, insects, macro photography

06.May.08 Food, Photo Series, Small Things Comments (2)