LATEST SHOOTS 2024

Nov 2024

BIDA CAFE OPENED

OCT 2024

Red-breasted Parakeets at Bukit Merah

Stork bill Kf in action at SQ

Sunda Scops Owl at SBG

SEPT 2024
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Blue Crown Hanging Parrot feeding on fruits and flowers of the Red Powder Puff (Calliandra haematocephala)

Blue-crown hanging Parrot and Ornate Sunbird

Banded Woodpeckers nesting at Sbg

SBWR revisited

Low tide at the Wetlands. Brahminy Kite, Lesser Adjutant, Otter

Great-billed Heron, Juvenile White-bellied Fish Eagle, Lone Otter feasting

AT SQ

The Darter returns (at SQ). Last week it escaped from the clutches of the Gray-headed Fish eagle. Traumatized, it went into hiding and recently had its confidence restored by appearing at SQ again.

At Pandan River

AUG 2024

GHFE diving for fish in the hot afternoon at Ulu Pandan

Otters (3 came that day), Darter with Arowana and a family of Macaques the SQ

Stork-billed Kf many dives

Slaty-breasted Rail on its morning breakfast routine at Jurong Lake Gardens. It is identified by the red beak, barred back and slaty-grey breast.

This is joined by the Red-legged Crake

Savannah Nightjar at JLG (my lifer). Appears to be a juvenile and did not seem to be bothered even when humans are centimeters from it; much unlike the adult which tends to fly off when it senses humans meters away.

Oriental Darter fishing in Singapore Quarry. Like last year, it came so close but only for a few days and not seen again.

Cantonese Opera 3 Aug 2024 -Cantonese show staged at Kreta Ayer to celebrate Singapore 59th birthday (see OPERA MUSINGS for more).

The Siege of Hangzhou -Mui Guiying and husband teamed up to break the siege of Hangzhou in order to rescue their patriach.

Lady Dongfang – She led an army to war after the death of her husband.

JULY 2024

SINGAPORE QUARRY

Civet Cat at Bukit Merah View

The linkways between blocks of flats and to other areas give shade from inclemental weather conditions. They also provide shelter to Singapore’s urban dwelling mammal – the Civet Cat.

Blue-eared Kingfisher at Dairy Farm. The small pond at Dairy Farm has been the feeding spot for the nesting Blue-eared Kf for many years. However, this is the first time that the fledged chicks stayed around to be fed by its parents at the pond area

June 2024

Tuas South Ave 16 -a small stretch of water are where Whistling Ducks and Black-winged Stilts congregate to feed.

At Hampstead

Brown Hawk Owl at Windsor Nature Park

At Singapore Quarry

May 2024

My favourite haunt – at the Singapore Quarry. Juvenile Crimson Sunbird (male) and the Orange-bellied Flowerpecker (female and male).

Plantain Squirrel, the Commander and Common Bluebottle

Diving Stork-billed Kf and Pink-necked Pigeon

Gray-headed Fish Eagle on a successful dive at Singapore Quarry

Cuties at Telok Blangah Rise. I was away when news of these Owls nesting were splashed on social media. The nest hole of the Sunda Scop owlets were low and very accessible as they were in the heartlands instead of the forests. The hordes of people were a deterrent but to miss such a rare opportunity was not in my mind. So I joined the crowd and waited for hours after dust when the action starts. And they appeared to be ready to fledge.

Day of fledging

April 2024

Grey-headed Fish Eagle diving for fish at Pandan River

NESTING. April seems to be a good time for birds to nest. Yellow-vented Bulbul at Singapore Botanical Gardens.

Laced-wing Woodpecker at Kranji Marshes.

Long-tailed Nightjar nesting at the SBG. Its impeccable camouflage makes its almost impossible to spot. Can you spot its chick?

The kid has grown bigger and will fledge soon.

Mandai Bird Paradise is an option when you have nowhere else to go. The Northern Carmine Bee-eater.

Magpie Robin at Hampstead. I rarely have a chance to see the Magpie Robin nesting

Testing the Sony 300mmf2.8 (Dollarbird, Pink-necked Pigeon, Grey Heron, Laced Woodpecker, Cattle Egret and Dollarbird)

Slaty-breasted Rail at Pandan River edge

Coppersmith barbet at Ghim Moh link delighting photographers. The carpark location offered different tier shooting and eye-level approach to subject.

The Rain Tree at Hampstead – a heritage site. The tree is also the abode of the Pied Hornbills; they have been nesting there for the past three generations.

The fruiting Umbrella tree at Ghim Moh has been attracting a number of visitors – like the Coconut Lorikeets, Plantain Squirrel, Red whiskered Bulbuls and Lineated Barbets

Coppersmith Barbet is found nesting at Ghim Moh too

March 2024

Peregrine Falcon at Kranji Loop

The Osprey at Kranji Loop

Intermediate Egret keeping returning to the same area (in front of photographers at Pandan River) and it seemed quite successful with its food resource -the skink. Two skinks within 20 minutes.

Another day, one skink.

Feb 2004

GHFE at Pandan River. Seems like there is a nest nearby

At Singapore Quarry. Olive-winged Bulbul, Darter and Crimson Sunbird

At Hindhede Quarry. Colugo, Straw-headed Bulbul, Blue-throated Bee-eater (taking a bath), Oriental Darter, LT Parakeet, Brown Hawk Owl and Blue-eared Kf

Oriental Darter and LT Parakeet

Mating red-eared Terrapins, Brown Hawk Owl and Blue-eared Kf

Happenings at Kranji Loop.
Peregrine Falcon -super fast and often far

Brahminy kite in action.

Purple Heron on the prowl. I was watching the PH for a while and it was swaying its head as if looking for a best position to strike. Suddenly it caught a snake and 10 minutes later it caught another!

Banded Woodpeckers on flypast at the Singapore Quarry

Buffy Love at Pasir Ris Park

Juvenile Goshawk is blind in one eye (left eye). Its parents have been catching prey for its young beyond the normal duration.

Courtship dance of the Intermediate Egrets

Stork-billed Kingfisher diving for fish

Peacock running free in Labrador Park. Seems it has been there for years.

Jan 2024

Purple Heron at Aerospace – eels galore

Gray-headed Fish Eagle at Pandan River

Cattle Egret with Skink (Pandan River)

Crested Goshawk (juvenile) waiting for food to be delivered. Since it was late, it chewed on left-overs.

Eye in the sky. At Pasir Ris – Black Baza, Parakeet, WBSE

Red breasted Parakeet?, Blue-tailed Bee eater

Buffy has grown so big. I was surprised that its parents still hunt for food for its young.

Season of the Blue-tailed Bee-eater at Seletar. Shaped like a torpedo as it flies to capture insects.

Nankeen Night Heron at MBP

Looking for B & W Flycatcher in SBG but only got Tiger Shrike and Hill Myna

Was at S’pore Botanical Gardens looking for Hooded Pitta. Only managed other birds instead. Asian Brown flycatcher, Common Flameback and White-throated Bee-eater.

More shots from Tuas. Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pier Harrier and Zitting Cistacola

The grasslands of Tuas – a last horizon and soon a lost horizon when port facilities are expected to expand to full capacity in 2030. There goes the last of our grasslands.

Where predators hunt for prey. The Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite and Pier Harrier are able to sustain themselves with food found in the grasslands.