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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.

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

Bright red and yellow beaked Saddle-billed stork

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.

Small white African bird perched on a tree stump

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.

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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.

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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)

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.

Looking Closely On A Water Speckled Green Leaves

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.

Unknown Insect Sitting Quietly On A Leaf

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.

Clear Close-up Image Of A Flower Petal With Dews

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)

How Much Is That Oriole In The Window?

For several days, usually in the morning, I have this black-naped oriole bird (one of the common birds here in Singapore) visiting at my bedroom’s window sill and does its ritual squawking and tapping at the window glass. I usually see this bird flying from one tree to another, gliding and darting in and out of the branches and noisily chirping out to some invisible bird companions. Though a bit noisy, I still welcome this creature on my early mornings. It reminds me that I should be glad I’m seeing this close one of nature’s beautiful and wonderful creations.

Any time I hear that distinct squawking, I know that my yellow visitor has landed at my window sill. It will move from one end of the window’s ledge and slowly flit towards the other end. I would sometimes see it peering inside my room, as if spying on me. If I come closer by the window to take a good picture of the fellow, it would readily sense me (by sudden noise I guess or slight movement it notices by sight) and instinctively fly away towards the nearest tree.