Simpang Kiri Park Connector

Is been about 3 years since I last visited Sembawang and Simpang Kiri Park Connector. I have my first encounter with a wild cobra during my last visit.

Carry only with a compact camera, I go for a jog this evening.

It was high tide, so I wouldn't be able to see any waders if they do already arrived for their migration.

Follow this park connector, will be able to reach Sembawang park and the beach.

Since, my purpose today is here for a jog. I only simply take some photo that I came across and if the subject are kind enough not to move when I trying to take a picture without long lens - such as this pair of Spotted dove.

Little heron, also known as Striated heron slowly move to the water edge and prepare to hunt for fish.

Managed to take a shot before this noisy Collared kingfisher fly away.

Javan myna are introduced species and is now one of the most common bird in Singapore.

Not difficult to take a decent shot of this big Grey heron with my compact camera. :)

Glossy Swiftlets Collect Lichen

While I was having a walk in the garden of my resort in Tomohon, Sulawesi 2 weeks ago, I saw some familiar birds flying around a palm tree. It didn't cross my mind that they are collecting nesting material (lichen).  When I saw it again the next day, I decided to take out my camera & trying to capture some flight shot. After looking at the image than I realize the small swiflets indeed are Glossy swiftlets (Collocalia esculenta). They are actually collecting lichen.  Below are some of the photos that I have taken.

The swiftlet started to slow down and hover about 50cm away from the palm tree.

The swiftlet approach the palm tree without physically get contact with the palm tree!

The swiftlet pull the lichen while still hover in the air.

The swiftlet continue to hover and move away from the palm tree.

This is another series of photo coming from a different angle.

Again, the swiftlet just "touch and go". Since swift spend most of their time in flight and hardly or never settle on the ground voluntarily. That explain why they have a very short legs and they use their leg only for clinging to vertical surfaces.

I'm not sure why the swiftlet turn the head upside down. Glossy swiftlets can be found from India all the way to Australia. Hopefully I can capture some video the next time if I see them in Singapore.

Kawangkoan - the peanut city

Another city not to be missed when visiting Tomohon is the Kawangkoan - also known as the peanut city. This city is famous for its roasted peanuts. You can get a packet of roasted peanut everywhere at Kawangkoan but we go straight to the factory for fresh roasted peanut.

Worker spreading the peanuts to dry it under the sun.

 
The peanuts look good even before roasted.

The difference between the peanuts here and other country is the way the peanuts was roasted. Here, the peanuts are roasted using the black sand from the river nearby here at Sulawesi.

Roast peanut is not an easy job but somebody got to do it. Hats off to this lady.

The peanuts are sorted/graded according to their size.

The traditional horse cart or is called Bendi, Andong, or Delman locally is one of the very common mode of transportation in Tomohon.