Monday, February 29, 2016

MacRitchie Nature Trail

If you want to start your nature/wildlife photography, Mac Ritchie reservoir is the place that will suit photographer or photographer to be. From landscape, macro to wildlife, you name it, it has it. 
Mac Ritchie reservoir
I always like to start my walk here early in the morning. Beside the cooler weather, the reflection on the water when the sun rise is so beautiful.
Malayan water monitor lizard
As I start my walk, this Malayan water monitor lizard is having it's breakfast too. I have no idea what it was but it took the lizard around 5 minutes to swallow it.
MacRitchie Boardwalk
One of my favorite stretch is this boardwalk. Whenever I pass this area, there sure to have some surprises for me. I usually spotted birds & snake around this area. This place is also good for Instagram... natural green tunnel!
MacRitchie Nature Trail
This is not mirage... but is real. The building at the background is Bishan/Ang Mo Kio area. Isn't it beautiful when this place is still misty? The mist will be gone once the weather get hotter.
MacRitchie Nature Trail
Another Instagram hot spot... photo taken on top of the Jelutong tower.
MacRitchie Nature Trail

MacRitchie Nature Trail
I have no idea what insect is this.
Dragonfly, MacRitchie Nature Trail
This dragonfly almost invisible as the camouflage is really realistic.
Common Parasol
One of the very beautiful and common dragonfly in Singapore - Common Parasol
 Blue-tail bee-eater (Merops philippinus)
When there are lots of dragonfly, there will be bee-eater, such as this Blue-tailed bee-eater
Pink necked green pigeon
A female Pink necked green pigeon
Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis)
A juvenile Asian glossy starling (Aplonis panayensis) feeding on this fruiting tree.
Slender squirrel
Saw this very cute & tiny Slender squirrel while I.m on the way out.
Twin-barred tree snake (Chrysopelea pelias)

Twin-barred tree snake (Chrysopelea pelias)
Another excitement before I leave the forest is this beautiful Twin-barred tree snake (Chrysopelea pelias).

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

New Purple Heron Paradise in Singapore

It looks like Bishan Park is another great location to look for Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). 
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
They are actually not easy to spot when they stay static in the bush. In this case, is just too difficult to miss as there are 2 purple heron so close to each other!
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Just few steps away, I can easily spot another 2 so close to each other.
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
So may of them...
Pond Heron
No... this is not Purple heron but a Pond Heron.
White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
Among so many heron is this White-Breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus). Searching for food along the side of the canal.
Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)
One of the most common bird in Singapore - Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)
Scaly-Breasted Murnia (Lonchura punctulata)
Apparently, Bishan Park is also a good place to look out for Scaly-Breasted Murnia (Lonchura punctulata).
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata)
A not so shy Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata). They can be seen quite easily in the park too.
Black-Naped Oriole(Oriolus chinensis)
Black-Naped Oriole(Oriolus chinensis) a very bright colour bird.
Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator)
Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) using their tongue to taste the air to locate for food. They are always mistaken as crocodile especially when they are in the water.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Longkang Birding at Sembawang

Longkang is a Malay word, it means drain. The last time I came here was about a year ago. So much changes have taken place in this narrow park connector. A lot of new HDB flats has been built beside the connector.
Sungei Simpang Kiri
Back to the longkang... Simpang Kiri is a canal or a river to be exact.
Sungei Simpang Kiri
This canal end at Sembawang beach and I purposely choose this time (low tide) to come here. From experience, more activities can be observed during low tide.
Collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
 This Collared Kingfisher perch near the entrance.
Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
 A rather common Spotted Dove walking on the now dry river bed looking for food.
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
 Another very common bird - Common Sandpiper
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
 A pair of Little Egret wading in the water try finding a best spot to hunt.
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
 This Grey Heron taking a break and just watch others busy feeding from the side of the canal.
Collared kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris)
 Another Collared Kingfisher with either worn out or dirty plumage.
White-throated kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)
Not far from the Collared Kingfisher, this White-Throated Kingfisher also waiting for best time to hunt.
Javan Myna (Acridotheres javanicus)
With the tide going down, this part of the river is now low in salinity thus this myna taking bath in it.
Purple-backed Starling (Sturnia sturnina)
There a lots of myna feeding on the mud flat. Guess what, the migrant - Purple Back Starling also feed side by side with the Javan Myna.
Purple-backed Starling (Sturnia sturnina)
I didn't know Purple Backed Starling other than feeding on insects & fruits, they also feed like waders on the mud flat.
Sembawang beach
Birds are not the only one that is busy during low tide. Lots of  week end fisherman also taking advantage of the low tide to collect green mussel from the mud flat. Although Singapore is a small country, it is still possible to observe wildlife if you visit at the right time...