tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55265575648076368222024-03-05T15:38:21.849+08:00Big Bunny TrailsCity Wilderness with Big BunnyMs Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-21256452013422939902021-07-11T18:14:00.003+08:002021-07-11T18:31:32.828+08:00A White-bellied Sea Eagle's nest<p>The White-bellied Sea Eagle is one of the largest resident raptors (bird of prey) found in Singapore. The markings on this bird are unmistakable. It has a white head, neck and underparts, with white upperwing-coverts contrasting sharply with blackish flight feathers. The juvenile may be a bit more confusing to the untrained eye but still easily identifiable.</p>
<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x0a4VtDfgQFKFSK6vBbWrA-l0uBOhVJ0_7F2_G4Cib65L6e856BysOWF5JPAu3m5s9MPXZi5sga3nBPDBgyCFOV-BMtJZSunmnuvWnPSESE-2TiIszb-g3aztQW04k2yz-FPcMKhUoo/s1200/190624-IMG_9989.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="White-bellied Sea Eagles" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x0a4VtDfgQFKFSK6vBbWrA-l0uBOhVJ0_7F2_G4Cib65L6e856BysOWF5JPAu3m5s9MPXZi5sga3nBPDBgyCFOV-BMtJZSunmnuvWnPSESE-2TiIszb-g3aztQW04k2yz-FPcMKhUoo/w400-h266/190624-IMG_9989.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied Sea Eagles. The female is the bigger one.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_W1imrYDxWj4P4DrhN3i3tECexfT7wgm4DR-KOZ88z4AGPlev5udFOsh9KKLs-mIorlzubboYknhGVpHCIc7NRg3HgFdj3GcujBkI4kACjnTJ1wT5ENGcZ5yX7eMJ1wziaIK28_oc8g/s1200/190627-IMG_0177.jpg"><img alt="White-bellied Sea Eagle in flight" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_W1imrYDxWj4P4DrhN3i3tECexfT7wgm4DR-KOZ88z4AGPlev5udFOsh9KKLs-mIorlzubboYknhGVpHCIc7NRg3HgFdj3GcujBkI4kACjnTJ1wT5ENGcZ5yX7eMJ1wziaIK28_oc8g/w400-h266/190627-IMG_0177.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was very fortunate to have spotted this nest. The parent birds have chosen to build their very large nest on a dead tree at the edge of a big field, which happened to be right next to a busy expressway! Food was not a problem because this was near a reservoir with plenty of fishes.</p><p>When I found them, the eggs have already hatched and I could see two chicks. The parents usually came back with food for them in the mornings. Maybe they fed them in the afternoons too but I was not there to witness it. As the nestlings grew bigger, they stood up more when eating their food and it gave me more opportunities to photograph them. Most of the time, one parent would be perched on a nearby tree to keep an eye on the young ones. I have seen crows trying to harass them and the parent would swoop down to drive them away. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWtaFt064W7iWr6hcY5C9CZ147J31gihj1G4EbwJ4-lzlZjXiKZl3svgqn0pAbU6ZM_TO7TgDRan0AXMTipMarvu1JHagwHtH7TGh2OSLeYGU1RkvW-3TqK_O8Z7n8FjuBYxea-iaCNE/s1200/190604-IMG_9612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="White-bellied Sea Eagle's nest" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWtaFt064W7iWr6hcY5C9CZ147J31gihj1G4EbwJ4-lzlZjXiKZl3svgqn0pAbU6ZM_TO7TgDRan0AXMTipMarvu1JHagwHtH7TGh2OSLeYGU1RkvW-3TqK_O8Z7n8FjuBYxea-iaCNE/w400-h266/190604-IMG_9612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult caught a fish and came back to feed the chicks.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p></p><p>As the nestlings grew stronger, they frequently flapped their wings while standing on the nest to build their wing muscles. It soon progressed to the point where they were able to lift themselves several inches off the nest and they may spend time perched on nearby branches.</p>
<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY-39kikvfdReSUDTiryNZ_H3R_wriz64qQEKT5Ay8Yv52QKlTQ0c1iN8sws2xQloMfDnIEjZxpPtoePP-4PIvdMHtPqmjIC6VPG1lPSPHQNQWW5v8F9ILTCgO-Da66bnEzDbbxYVi-I/s1200/190624-IMG_0051.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="White-bellied Sea Eagle chick" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZY-39kikvfdReSUDTiryNZ_H3R_wriz64qQEKT5Ay8Yv52QKlTQ0c1iN8sws2xQloMfDnIEjZxpPtoePP-4PIvdMHtPqmjIC6VPG1lPSPHQNQWW5v8F9ILTCgO-Da66bnEzDbbxYVi-I/w400-h266/190624-IMG_0051.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing testing...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p></p><p>I am very happy to say that these two chicks fledged successfully. White-bellied Sea Eagles are known to mate for life and reuse their nests. Unfortunately, this particular host tree was not a very large one. There was some construction going on nearby and over time, the nest fell apart and is no longer there. Hopefully, the parents have found a better location the following breeding season and the juveniles are doing well.</p>
<p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9qDcK2R3ga8152aJtWmiUdY6eWJ-lPG5IrLXvOySXthJBUXySRwu89QCicTTWY1UJvi2rn0-0j_9gDc0tXeRa_XMvPXybFwXqojmZlAUCd4BTGPSdekvTYScsZPwCoRQp8lR0sWr3kk/s1200/190627-IMG_0252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9qDcK2R3ga8152aJtWmiUdY6eWJ-lPG5IrLXvOySXthJBUXySRwu89QCicTTWY1UJvi2rn0-0j_9gDc0tXeRa_XMvPXybFwXqojmZlAUCd4BTGPSdekvTYScsZPwCoRQp8lR0sWr3kk/w400-h266/190627-IMG_0252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile learning to fly.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXra4hhhhnGKWx-HX03MQYY86HAGJA3Rb9hFI2JU1UhEGN-_IuMkcbs2BiB9058KgranFwDQI16DGelAVcuMrnaZhtiFqS090YRpQl8Qbp3kwrpwufauJO4QlXa6pOgd0dhV1jOHJUsZg/s1200/190726-IMG_0720.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXra4hhhhnGKWx-HX03MQYY86HAGJA3Rb9hFI2JU1UhEGN-_IuMkcbs2BiB9058KgranFwDQI16DGelAVcuMrnaZhtiFqS090YRpQl8Qbp3kwrpwufauJO4QlXa6pOgd0dhV1jOHJUsZg/w400-h266/190726-IMG_0720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spending more time out of the nest.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BI19NOIytZo" width="320" youtube-src-id="BI19NOIytZo"></iframe></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-87132889886141306212020-07-09T01:15:00.005+08:002020-11-30T13:32:28.098+08:00The Joo Chiat HornbillsI first saw an Oriental Pied Hornbill at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park. I had never seen such a large bird before and it was amazing! That was in 1995/1996 when I got interested in birdwatching and joined the Nature Society Bird Group. In those days, you had to know where to look for these birds.<br />
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Fast forward 25 years, they seem to be everywhere. I see them at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Sungei Buloh, Pasir Ris, Pulau Ubin and many more places. They were supposed to have disappeared from Singapore in the mid-1800s and made a comeback, all thanks to the Singapore Hornbill Project. This project was so successful that we now have more than 100 of these beautiful native birds. The best part is, I do not even have to travel to parks and reserves to see them. I frequently see a few of them at the Telok Kurau / Joo Chiat area where I live. I have not been tracking them closely, so I am not sure if they are a family.<br />
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Most Asian hornbills are omnivorous. It seems like they have a preference for fruits, especially figs, and small animals. During the breeding season, however, they may even go for other animals such as lizards, bird nestlings and eggs, beetles and insects.<br />
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Thanks to the recent Covid-19 lockdown period, I am home more often and have more opportunities to photograph them.</div><div><br /></div><div>There were 5 of them when last seen in the area on 3 Aug 2020, 6.30pm.</div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwltYsXgEO9Kp8cQn1zUGxsLjcA1ot3JiIy6xtFvdE8bU5bFHwT1ujUXuDS1uctPHb3UVx36mdshQiaUsGC3Wv6hA_fvRpDfWh_vTTGLH2sxGmO0t6N8OwnnOswX-GlEDd7eVmJUHWUs/s1600/200515-IMG_5610.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwltYsXgEO9Kp8cQn1zUGxsLjcA1ot3JiIy6xtFvdE8bU5bFHwT1ujUXuDS1uctPHb3UVx36mdshQiaUsGC3Wv6hA_fvRpDfWh_vTTGLH2sxGmO0t6N8OwnnOswX-GlEDd7eVmJUHWUs/s400/200515-IMG_5610.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like they like palm fruits too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling from the top of an apartment block.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGliIk1En_rIhJEQSm5BLO_8ORyqFuzxuQs-1j6nkfs3pi_9m1D4UA3qGuIUBMDMD24lKGD51B8hbkjMyUXKNs5f4J_HuXTfhQ2lD2nmyl_BTTUlzDK-STOV9AAiEgeyZ_vHly1I1eMf8/s1600/200517-IMG_5703.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGliIk1En_rIhJEQSm5BLO_8ORyqFuzxuQs-1j6nkfs3pi_9m1D4UA3qGuIUBMDMD24lKGD51B8hbkjMyUXKNs5f4J_HuXTfhQ2lD2nmyl_BTTUlzDK-STOV9AAiEgeyZ_vHly1I1eMf8/s400/200517-IMG_5703.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Oriental Pied Hornbill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i4fufGfnEKtNh7qp73oRKNs-uP2l8lzZyJIhALAMzFO55nidDsLd6eX8zhsJpSbkv50yTyH91kflL_pG0SJiIK63gaLfULAj11Sn1Q3tumXh19kwlTq5xPvig5_UQltXIDPEPKMNn-A/s1600/200517-IMG_5709.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i4fufGfnEKtNh7qp73oRKNs-uP2l8lzZyJIhALAMzFO55nidDsLd6eX8zhsJpSbkv50yTyH91kflL_pG0SJiIK63gaLfULAj11Sn1Q3tumXh19kwlTq5xPvig5_UQltXIDPEPKMNn-A/s400/200517-IMG_5709.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female hornbill at neighbour's balcony.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl2BjjhpbfVAPHLiydsFuOBzxR5omEZv0-5Ye-zr56hSJov_whFgyaObTd4swh2f8kgXiI88aRXvJLbNesQgQkaJs7RnebZ_W7LeBy_wQFWprxupsaOvZUMN31L9ZXv5r518BgsElL8M/s1600/200517-IMG_5745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl2BjjhpbfVAPHLiydsFuOBzxR5omEZv0-5Ye-zr56hSJov_whFgyaObTd4swh2f8kgXiI88aRXvJLbNesQgQkaJs7RnebZ_W7LeBy_wQFWprxupsaOvZUMN31L9ZXv5r518BgsElL8M/s400/200517-IMG_5745.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exchanging news?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4cWQFdeiQGru14ZDH2PPmmdgVzzSGDgS5PjvA6Ng0_r0pWBq9mJ_nDoXfWyH9DZ0rKMyP6drZr8m0qK3YIfqxOIZFzMU-lpWt33Sz3shItafPPYSpouphIX5kLpstXcp45mfV1-v7eY/s1600/200517-IMG_5771.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4cWQFdeiQGru14ZDH2PPmmdgVzzSGDgS5PjvA6Ng0_r0pWBq9mJ_nDoXfWyH9DZ0rKMyP6drZr8m0qK3YIfqxOIZFzMU-lpWt33Sz3shItafPPYSpouphIX5kLpstXcp45mfV1-v7eY/s400/200517-IMG_5771.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out their own reflections in the window.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj1RZa1EvfwD1f7F8cvmnBc8wmEVhmIQ1XOTV0t4ne3aj6EEd-ZlNx9psqtMqiLRUrX62NnGvev6w5igUuKTKv6X-4zUZCJXQnmZTnx43SZrAyEWQs3ZYOPHXz6x-gKNeAXc_BbEW4ac/s1200/201124-IMG_9371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWj1RZa1EvfwD1f7F8cvmnBc8wmEVhmIQ1XOTV0t4ne3aj6EEd-ZlNx9psqtMqiLRUrX62NnGvev6w5igUuKTKv6X-4zUZCJXQnmZTnx43SZrAyEWQs3ZYOPHXz6x-gKNeAXc_BbEW4ac/w400-h266/201124-IMG_9371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing the other hornbill away from his platform.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZCNIe9itKGMmTgsd5puVqk8dDYifHqKPZVrG5E4Dc2vc2cWBGOx8mQ5F06AtVrA_oxUdJXyP1iiqkTbybfXKNiIOwgDR-1WZnn_De_A-U2ZZ9h7cFJoDobqgAQljvdnTF9lZfHKXqig/s1200/201124-IMG_9396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZCNIe9itKGMmTgsd5puVqk8dDYifHqKPZVrG5E4Dc2vc2cWBGOx8mQ5F06AtVrA_oxUdJXyP1iiqkTbybfXKNiIOwgDR-1WZnn_De_A-U2ZZ9h7cFJoDobqgAQljvdnTF9lZfHKXqig/w400-h266/201124-IMG_9396.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-52757446849659552362020-04-21T14:54:00.001+08:002020-04-21T15:04:12.877+08:00Birdwatching at Tampines Eco GreenTampines Eco Green is a 36-hectare park bordered by Sungei Tampines (Tampines River), Tampines Expressway (TPE) and Tampines Ave 12. As the human traffic in this park is low, it is an excellent place for birding. With the exception of the pathways, many parts of the park are left as is. There is a secondary forest, freshwater wetlands and open grasslands. This is a green oasis among the housing estates in the Tampines/Pasir Ris area. It is not uncommon to see raptors perched on some of the dead trees found all over the park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kikQvdaR5YE-QAzY8BrkwCBa2NhpjWkdcgI2A4n3tWijNEg7Cn1OzMIcOmmHxJr_SbzFacRDqyaMjIPW6QVOeoiFoAbVdaqFyx1kFiNJ5gVjwscUv9848qTzqPYYlZ0OwDO9dbYgCAA/s1600/190211-DSC05904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kikQvdaR5YE-QAzY8BrkwCBa2NhpjWkdcgI2A4n3tWijNEg7Cn1OzMIcOmmHxJr_SbzFacRDqyaMjIPW6QVOeoiFoAbVdaqFyx1kFiNJ5gVjwscUv9848qTzqPYYlZ0OwDO9dbYgCAA/s400/190211-DSC05904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of trail near main entrance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQc-dnuGdrRDXfCMyATr0fC8W0zg0xEjbkYfLmNRVqBUZAUt4ShFn4oQYrPDjA3byn-H2gGY7SBV9EulimE6lbDoR0Ex2wiEJWyntbngdLC8jUlJbneRJ58Gw4Byu_NG-d-wfYbl7DCM/s1600/190211-DSC05899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQc-dnuGdrRDXfCMyATr0fC8W0zg0xEjbkYfLmNRVqBUZAUt4ShFn4oQYrPDjA3byn-H2gGY7SBV9EulimE6lbDoR0Ex2wiEJWyntbngdLC8jUlJbneRJ58Gw4Byu_NG-d-wfYbl7DCM/s400/190211-DSC05899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open grassland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIK1_j1aucjU4Y8HTcu0ghzsyrAFg860QeP2y-fmx0uuf0lv-hih3f3kutdVeSHxHiZXZlEKpAJ3j4oC7xEqhyIhv8Z_92_YjYqAMz6raQQGfsHClWA3IH8NhcWtL93_IAIXX9dL4wk8/s1600/190211-DSC05897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIK1_j1aucjU4Y8HTcu0ghzsyrAFg860QeP2y-fmx0uuf0lv-hih3f3kutdVeSHxHiZXZlEKpAJ3j4oC7xEqhyIhv8Z_92_YjYqAMz6raQQGfsHClWA3IH8NhcWtL93_IAIXX9dL4wk8/s400/190211-DSC05897.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaded trails.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8OOVYGuLH4oucjPGVpYxNnE0zzz7UIJ1HNERMd-fBm21CGEYpWNEoeUrd_tnZLHI6IAIuinR62Bs2lu5MgPXsknTLZBoJu5d7Z99jn01iYjhgB3tO-r0WgMviRn9IcaLK58LW1f1rDE/s1600/200217-IMG_4607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8OOVYGuLH4oucjPGVpYxNnE0zzz7UIJ1HNERMd-fBm21CGEYpWNEoeUrd_tnZLHI6IAIuinR62Bs2lu5MgPXsknTLZBoJu5d7Z99jn01iYjhgB3tO-r0WgMviRn9IcaLK58LW1f1rDE/s400/200217-IMG_4607.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashy Minivet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHTh1bI7Zau39oleUusjXmzqenN9Ca64ntoVCGVDtCdfTzcfyfv7vx7EkQ4nXS3iUjhW6DS0OuWDYf9z_Tl3tySmPFCj7uGvhbTHjTnu-NuM7wscTkl7Bjc-t7hfnZh-iEKIJmPA0Mp8/s1600/200217-IMG_4615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHTh1bI7Zau39oleUusjXmzqenN9Ca64ntoVCGVDtCdfTzcfyfv7vx7EkQ4nXS3iUjhW6DS0OuWDYf9z_Tl3tySmPFCj7uGvhbTHjTnu-NuM7wscTkl7Bjc-t7hfnZh-iEKIJmPA0Mp8/s400/200217-IMG_4615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Coucal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEI2BBOdpGv7GQjozf6s_SQuiAvFqnPoOxvrOjaYn6oTowg6LdOsCJ-DlyBvDPuGmBP76epQpFWjbx0rkbIS6q5aDmAH_D_J3YQyIcIBvgBxzoU6ntaTwr2GMlDSEbpoOnXu22-3uvxk/s1600/200217-IMG_4640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEI2BBOdpGv7GQjozf6s_SQuiAvFqnPoOxvrOjaYn6oTowg6LdOsCJ-DlyBvDPuGmBP76epQpFWjbx0rkbIS6q5aDmAH_D_J3YQyIcIBvgBxzoU6ntaTwr2GMlDSEbpoOnXu22-3uvxk/s400/200217-IMG_4640.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Woodpeckers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0plzvEU42xm547uekFWl-zHPrWFJ5bcyUSpyLcOUemreNhOFJ_DDJN1X4rOxo1uLSm2lzhBxdWzqk2yTrYkQb7dRdvCUBH1m0uh0bkzuLMXHrADTpO8-JBr-nKuBhqmGAgtVle9e1_us/s1600/200217-IMG_4645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0plzvEU42xm547uekFWl-zHPrWFJ5bcyUSpyLcOUemreNhOFJ_DDJN1X4rOxo1uLSm2lzhBxdWzqk2yTrYkQb7dRdvCUBH1m0uh0bkzuLMXHrADTpO8-JBr-nKuBhqmGAgtVle9e1_us/s400/200217-IMG_4645.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental Honey-buzzard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoLBzSoCvPTqEk-tcsWZJGFyPPLSwQTDfc42Rnp9Ln6SfpYJbVOKAI2FBeZhYnH2qGCbI4XjSPmmKDpTB-E7ljl7hTth9Tmh4LSJ9F_RcwMdKxHu-saoSLLVxlZbnkjZdFpzL7QMVLgk/s1600/200217-IMG_4648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoLBzSoCvPTqEk-tcsWZJGFyPPLSwQTDfc42Rnp9Ln6SfpYJbVOKAI2FBeZhYnH2qGCbI4XjSPmmKDpTB-E7ljl7hTth9Tmh4LSJ9F_RcwMdKxHu-saoSLLVxlZbnkjZdFpzL7QMVLgk/s400/200217-IMG_4648.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-winged Kite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhwBIAA2iT0zOQLjJvxjASzZhAOJnwg9SW3-orknJ_nqd6jI2Oc_4p8n2hJb3t4GlJXyKtCaXIUWGxKIMIsW6iRQsOvZuPDSGThAohglaKD25C5794AUgaLbwVsbEAi4CcwJNpFGJ6HM/s1600/200217-IMG_4675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhwBIAA2iT0zOQLjJvxjASzZhAOJnwg9SW3-orknJ_nqd6jI2Oc_4p8n2hJb3t4GlJXyKtCaXIUWGxKIMIsW6iRQsOvZuPDSGThAohglaKD25C5794AUgaLbwVsbEAi4CcwJNpFGJ6HM/s400/200217-IMG_4675.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-throated Bee-eater.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some of the birds I have seen here are:<br />
<br />
Red-breasted Parakeet<br />
Rose-ringed Parakeet<br />
White-breasted Waterhen<br />
Sooty-headed Bulbul<br />
Yellow-vented Bulbul<br />
Common Flameback<br />
Laced Woodpecker<br />
Sunda Woodpecker<br />
Rufous Woodpecker<br />
Brown Shrike<br />
Yellow-bellied Prinia<br />
Dollarbird<br />
Blue-throated Bee-eater<br />
Blue-tailed Bee-eater<br />
Black-winged Kite<br />
Brahminy Kite<br />
Oriental Honey-buzzard<br />
Jerdon's Baza<br />
Malaysian Pied Fantail<br />
Oriental Magpie Robin<br />
Javan Myna<br />
Ashy Minivet<br />
Asian Brown Flycatcher<br />
Little Bronze Cuckoo<br />
Plaintive Cuckoo<br />
Large-billed Crow<br />
Common Kingfisher<br />
White-throated Kingfisher<br />
Olive-backed Sunbird<br />
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker<br />
Common Tailorbird<br />
Baya Weaver<br />
Pied Triller<br />
Common Iora<br />
Black-naped Oriole<br />
Zebra Dove<br />
Pink-necked Green Pigeon<br />
Rock Pigeon<br />
<br />
<h3>
How to get there</h3>
The main entrance is located at the junction of Tampines Ave 9 and Ave 12. There are no car parks here. If you are driving, please park at one of the public car parks near Sun Plaza Park.<br />
<br />
If going by train, alight at Tampines MRT and make your way to Sun Plaza Park and follow the MRT track. After crossing Tampines Ave 9, walk a short distance along Tampines Ave 12 and you will find the entrance to the park.<br />
<br />
There are buses from the bus interchange at Tampines MRT that will take you a little closer to the park entrance, but I find that the wait for the buses are not worth it and the walking distance saved is not very much.<br />
<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-91774311864821710622019-09-25T16:42:00.002+08:002020-04-21T14:59:02.080+08:00Birdwatching at Gardens by the Bay - Migratory birdsOctober to March/April are good months for birdwatchers and bird photographers. Some migrants will stop by Singapore for a few weeks in October/November before flying further south to their final destinations for winter. Some will find Singapore good enough for winter and stay here until it is time to return home for summer. Birdwatchers and photographers will be out in full force with their gear, hoping to get a glimpse or photo of these not-so-frequently seen birds.<br />
<br />
I love visiting Gardens by the Bay to take bird photographs because it is only about 50 minutes from home by public transport and I get to enjoy breakfast at my favourite stall at Satay by the Bay. Prata and Teh Tarik!<br />
<br />
These are some of the birds I have photographed over the last few years and these birds (who knows, they may be the same ones!) still show up every year during the migratory period.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvBKuCvFmut30XWesnTAhuHsZH0hcayLBlFXrrN2dbKutVBSj53oFEcoPCgBHroJP9ggG0FyNc3ZWfzb9t-1knjBTXyfTidY_IjHL33nS6-ReAop6rt_pc4pLqBBgPkBQ493qB75FtRs/s1600/161206-IMG_0786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvBKuCvFmut30XWesnTAhuHsZH0hcayLBlFXrrN2dbKutVBSj53oFEcoPCgBHroJP9ggG0FyNc3ZWfzb9t-1knjBTXyfTidY_IjHL33nS6-ReAop6rt_pc4pLqBBgPkBQ493qB75FtRs/s400/161206-IMG_0786.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental Reed Warbler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HIkSkzmzQBZ7OC1SYK8rA8y5novCGcCY_45BeqE_sSUHazeIxTGdzf3pvNT-I4475S2AdICjJjRLrdpI9D-gNGQMM-_yCtNNefQgQFXB6RbNGwkX7i4eOtW3MYSM74fpRCBqV67kQcI/s1600/190915-IMG_1052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HIkSkzmzQBZ7OC1SYK8rA8y5novCGcCY_45BeqE_sSUHazeIxTGdzf3pvNT-I4475S2AdICjJjRLrdpI9D-gNGQMM-_yCtNNefQgQFXB6RbNGwkX7i4eOtW3MYSM74fpRCBqV67kQcI/s400/190915-IMG_1052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-rumped Flycatcher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwnAlQ_R99F_PaThNV_jrRsOQkzIZ1VJPTYY2VTNLLavoIUBCalDjEOIXTg8g6ebHHOjWvjKwjpOaHUoGEN6FFitrfss3wRiBLCbGiX49piu2iT1zouiNuGV3hqXFvfW-7nsufoQJtSk/s1600/180928-IMG_3741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwnAlQ_R99F_PaThNV_jrRsOQkzIZ1VJPTYY2VTNLLavoIUBCalDjEOIXTg8g6ebHHOjWvjKwjpOaHUoGEN6FFitrfss3wRiBLCbGiX49piu2iT1zouiNuGV3hqXFvfW-7nsufoQJtSk/s400/180928-IMG_3741.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian Paradise Flycatcher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mXYPf3mr02f2XJEPBSo7dZGhfY4d0dDKmx-nLXWyyobMDMZQO2UvU62gMkodgOwiSicoWs__Km8yLOVu232DhhjXRHDQtPzhONzAproNOcCleNAf4gMB91UKR1bI8l7qZ-bfPL6Y1t4/s1600/181019-IMG_4040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mXYPf3mr02f2XJEPBSo7dZGhfY4d0dDKmx-nLXWyyobMDMZQO2UvU62gMkodgOwiSicoWs__Km8yLOVu232DhhjXRHDQtPzhONzAproNOcCleNAf4gMB91UKR1bI8l7qZ-bfPL6Y1t4/s400/181019-IMG_4040.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Kingfisher. Common elsewhere but uncommon in Singapore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CiZO5S3IhaISgBJPpmfUPE0-LM_O7ISi1BfLzfDWnb4TXaGax8gf2aQa8fZqe29MSXdBWA4AdgF1zKkS-eCELFc2gwRMK6vhK-Demn_KFn04IX4BnxYHJdxRliEzOQH2F-jA5KzJX_o/s1600/181019-IMG_4300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CiZO5S3IhaISgBJPpmfUPE0-LM_O7ISi1BfLzfDWnb4TXaGax8gf2aQa8fZqe29MSXdBWA4AdgF1zKkS-eCELFc2gwRMK6vhK-Demn_KFn04IX4BnxYHJdxRliEzOQH2F-jA5KzJX_o/s400/181019-IMG_4300.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic Warbler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvcq6qlY22l3hyphenhyphenbq4jtXE1fiMd65kWV5knWKmXFshm2cgsQ5o8xNwrW3V1QlBqT80V8pNsjaUufQ_aAQRC19TcqLuLymsV6I6P0TJMo2nrKRKrnkhQXjGHqioQ_87wWT8jJ3n62cphVg/s1600/181030-IMG_4409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvcq6qlY22l3hyphenhyphenbq4jtXE1fiMd65kWV5knWKmXFshm2cgsQ5o8xNwrW3V1QlBqT80V8pNsjaUufQ_aAQRC19TcqLuLymsV6I6P0TJMo2nrKRKrnkhQXjGHqioQ_87wWT8jJ3n62cphVg/s400/181030-IMG_4409.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asian Brown Flycatcher.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bLmtZHx8V1wC-bqh-2OMP2kzUXjdmAGNsEmvOe8Srurgh8ve8Ers3QaIsoq_VEII1ZBiZdrLWNh_2litmK393xtEmuqVV5luLAXSuPXcAJ2UKSWU0I7GIiiaUGtSMIA2bT7dzbVldSI/s1600/190227-IMG_6387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4bLmtZHx8V1wC-bqh-2OMP2kzUXjdmAGNsEmvOe8Srurgh8ve8Ers3QaIsoq_VEII1ZBiZdrLWNh_2litmK393xtEmuqVV5luLAXSuPXcAJ2UKSWU0I7GIiiaUGtSMIA2bT7dzbVldSI/s400/190227-IMG_6387.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger Shrike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodpi8NJ6jJMLChJPcCXMGmURGstkbAcWG67Zdzrc-36eihkPm8vu2ez1nv3vIVQdgiD1TRtw7xNiHNGteHGYNe0uu952zXjp11STmDXNmpq3SODoJxmhuoG61-6TkO9mNx1ao3rEwI28/s1600/190227-IMG_6518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiodpi8NJ6jJMLChJPcCXMGmURGstkbAcWG67Zdzrc-36eihkPm8vu2ez1nv3vIVQdgiD1TRtw7xNiHNGteHGYNe0uu952zXjp11STmDXNmpq3SODoJxmhuoG61-6TkO9mNx1ao3rEwI28/s400/190227-IMG_6518.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Swallow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmKPMFYqXI_o2twnOOHHhD103eR_0RfVzoRLZyZmncmcMjHeGsvlUwlnVUxDLQTpk3zhExDiDst3n4TsztWHlHyw4yIKS2fIpAeOAR7igvZPhFLDvuu-OH0xpA19OyeidQ9eDYqqT9n4/s1600/190321-IMG_6818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmKPMFYqXI_o2twnOOHHhD103eR_0RfVzoRLZyZmncmcMjHeGsvlUwlnVUxDLQTpk3zhExDiDst3n4TsztWHlHyw4yIKS2fIpAeOAR7igvZPhFLDvuu-OH0xpA19OyeidQ9eDYqqT9n4/s400/190321-IMG_6818.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Chinese Pond Heron.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQXnHGn3cApr2XijCOAdW8ktbM9Yp7U60aFwkHnLOXUIAYzcknrNbmRIvKZ9YwoCHXlrp9fti97uGB2CJl21LTYSIApR_pOjM5_a8Vt7BEx4i7vjMEyESbnuj4rroCMupqtktZrpJroY/s1600/190927-IMG_20190927_095810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQXnHGn3cApr2XijCOAdW8ktbM9Yp7U60aFwkHnLOXUIAYzcknrNbmRIvKZ9YwoCHXlrp9fti97uGB2CJl21LTYSIApR_pOjM5_a8Vt7BEx4i7vjMEyESbnuj4rroCMupqtktZrpJroY/s400/190927-IMG_20190927_095810.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Part of the fun is looking for these birds and in my case, photographing them. Most of them are very shy and the best time to see them easily is before the busloads of tourists start arriving at the Gardens from 9am. I usually go to the quieter areas, stop, and wait for the birds to appear. Seeing bird photographers is also a good sign there are interesting birds nearby. I follow some of the local Facebook bird groups. Some birders are so helpful that they even post the locations online.Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-49497473074721748102019-06-15T10:56:00.000+08:002020-04-21T14:06:00.642+08:00Birdwatching at Nam Sang Wai, Hong KongIn April this year, I visited some popular birding places in Hong Kong with the intention to photograph the birds rather than just watch them. I brought along a 300mm F4 lens, a 1.4x extender, an APS-C camera body and a monopod. This setup fits nicely into a compact photo backpack and allowed me to walk pretty long distances without getting very tired.<br />
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<b>Nam Sang Wai</b><br />
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This is a wetland area located in Yuen Long and very popular with birdwatchers and photographers during low tide, especially if it coincides with the early morning or late afternoon hours. The Inner Deep Bay, Mai Po Nature Reserve and the Hong Kong Wetland Park are nearby and it is not surprising to find shorebirds moving between these few areas for food.<br />
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This scenic area, consisting of mainly fish ponds and farms, is bordered by Kam Tin River and Shan Pui River. It became very famous in 2003 when a 1.5m saltwater crocodile (most likely someone's pet) was found here and evaded capture for many weeks! Pui Pui is now residing at the HK Wetland Park.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fxI7tHL8zBim6C6Wb9LqZudl9lYQk6obRdeICbzL0DJXtQKHYLk-gXKMmV032cdNgvItUzDLuIDnTj9cfUxpTQ3ywdyeKbI63QOHduaNcJDDNN5hIW7rd3kzPyCYC5TtToxcWepq_Tk/s1600/map-nam-sang-wai.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="696" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fxI7tHL8zBim6C6Wb9LqZudl9lYQk6obRdeICbzL0DJXtQKHYLk-gXKMmV032cdNgvItUzDLuIDnTj9cfUxpTQ3ywdyeKbI63QOHduaNcJDDNN5hIW7rd3kzPyCYC5TtToxcWepq_Tk/s400/map-nam-sang-wai.jpeg" title="Nam Sang Wai map" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you wish to walk the entire Nam Sang Wai Road, it is doable and about 5km long. The best place to start birding is at location A. Walk towards B and end at C. Look out for birds on both sides of the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddBFv71eAAPebcXclt7b1beQLO9lg-YGYbFOd6PD6UYcga0DcK8KfcmiQPvPVdua3Zs55LcIUlnuIkRdhoWF7LJPS9BZCZfPubuFddg-FRX3MBWmdt9qOSHBNt08Y72DHBjWw9Whmchg/s1600/131123-_MG_0534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddBFv71eAAPebcXclt7b1beQLO9lg-YGYbFOd6PD6UYcga0DcK8KfcmiQPvPVdua3Zs55LcIUlnuIkRdhoWF7LJPS9BZCZfPubuFddg-FRX3MBWmdt9qOSHBNt08Y72DHBjWw9Whmchg/s400/131123-_MG_0534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What you will see on a good day at location A. This was taken a few years ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsd3fl7pI6_Ym71XLqr-UY-Et97CHnHs6urp47JpUXlIdebwGR87DAusn4BUmLHOBVmUkebQBREjFGIdTC8SjWECqzNBIfS3GAzZzJ7clN8DHI81U3SoH6wz-Vyg_RWwCObmqoM_Fbk4/s1600/190405-DSC06190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsd3fl7pI6_Ym71XLqr-UY-Et97CHnHs6urp47JpUXlIdebwGR87DAusn4BUmLHOBVmUkebQBREjFGIdTC8SjWECqzNBIfS3GAzZzJ7clN8DHI81U3SoH6wz-Vyg_RWwCObmqoM_Fbk4/s400/190405-DSC06190.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I saw recently on a not-so-good day at location A.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpEwE3XSMHPyRlGXXFMIw-UDufD09nmCuoo2K3SPRWB434NO4WizRt34e_eh_DtPjHjderSghyphenhyphenX9h1g7Vcj6VEdY6fKB0OTWFRG8mKKee7G_WarQWSbbUW_xcblGdu6GSWQKjr12LqVU/s1600/190405-IMG_7386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpEwE3XSMHPyRlGXXFMIw-UDufD09nmCuoo2K3SPRWB434NO4WizRt34e_eh_DtPjHjderSghyphenhyphenX9h1g7Vcj6VEdY6fKB0OTWFRG8mKKee7G_WarQWSbbUW_xcblGdu6GSWQKjr12LqVU/s400/190405-IMG_7386.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Kingfisher. This kingfisher hovers before diving to catch fish.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Oz5WHA0L5IDrxDlhiQfZcJsSovMl1YLXPbkVNhv3MsqsviJCLwZO87ujgWM7wX95cx1WcbLgoZnJcng_RH6_UqanrG7vv0P7pE2kWG8ZdVRBAlZbYVG7SZhUmZyG4wXp3YTyaPnD6oA/s1600/190405-IMG_7405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Oz5WHA0L5IDrxDlhiQfZcJsSovMl1YLXPbkVNhv3MsqsviJCLwZO87ujgWM7wX95cx1WcbLgoZnJcng_RH6_UqanrG7vv0P7pE2kWG8ZdVRBAlZbYVG7SZhUmZyG4wXp3YTyaPnD6oA/s400/190405-IMG_7405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Pond Heron flying off with a mudskipper meal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIonwWnPHn2SV3_CLEN7rkooxi8t80Rf0VuYZgs2HUg7NDFxpJ-7HTnpjK8iXonEEjdW16DAkaQCv7I6KxP6DCd8t6xRR2qMgJQsoVdrT69ltf1RJ7NjfdqQ_k_4xL8F0oS7XfJISXwA/s1600/131123-_MG_0613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIonwWnPHn2SV3_CLEN7rkooxi8t80Rf0VuYZgs2HUg7NDFxpJ-7HTnpjK8iXonEEjdW16DAkaQCv7I6KxP6DCd8t6xRR2qMgJQsoVdrT69ltf1RJ7NjfdqQ_k_4xL8F0oS7XfJISXwA/s400/131123-_MG_0613.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-faced Spoonbill with catch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXj6XZwsgUsDPCqw8k8wIyaQU-8kJngeM6vQH_y57IiS6g1x9paBM3t2I3HdpMUB7PXBFESVh7mqps7T1rk-gaik2dn2Ub_YlPIXhxpq36UriyOp1cHFmh5dwq46N1SrwDRkcHcp0IGGY/s1600/190405-IMG_7384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXj6XZwsgUsDPCqw8k8wIyaQU-8kJngeM6vQH_y57IiS6g1x9paBM3t2I3HdpMUB7PXBFESVh7mqps7T1rk-gaik2dn2Ub_YlPIXhxpq36UriyOp1cHFmh5dwq46N1SrwDRkcHcp0IGGY/s400/190405-IMG_7384.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plain Prinia.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYpc62EasvcKsF8zmZ6YxMNuZhgNf1G6UGeSa644osGHTonFe8k7DI_-QFrI69s-6O2LAW6brfZfQT0P64WIhI6aHbfuKnqp6qtETYFeOIBz7jdvQxD9THoMoAyLqBw3TDtcvH0YLRYQ/s1600/190405-IMG_7698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYpc62EasvcKsF8zmZ6YxMNuZhgNf1G6UGeSa644osGHTonFe8k7DI_-QFrI69s-6O2LAW6brfZfQT0P64WIhI6aHbfuKnqp6qtETYFeOIBz7jdvQxD9THoMoAyLqBw3TDtcvH0YLRYQ/s400/190405-IMG_7698.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-bellied Prinia singing its heart out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwyUclOgn98W-MJKkw4yG_lVdGKq-sfPFz4Xy3gTEjPN_W-Q7F1rHW6Qifa_uoW_RHj1T4hq08HdBSsmhCU2-wQtgGBuMYQ9ITz1pUtWmQZa_2F4EzewultDPx0-hm9vvl-ztuaVR0GA/s1600/190405-DSC06198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwyUclOgn98W-MJKkw4yG_lVdGKq-sfPFz4Xy3gTEjPN_W-Q7F1rHW6Qifa_uoW_RHj1T4hq08HdBSsmhCU2-wQtgGBuMYQ9ITz1pUtWmQZa_2F4EzewultDPx0-hm9vvl-ztuaVR0GA/s400/190405-DSC06198.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie hotspot known as the Nam Sang Wai Little Wooden Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUt01EwAdRfz_v5BXnZbANP2r1APM7SnZcVY6zrO6Y2ojJRgVjsfmhJy0xd5gpimW0mBU2eLSNQHbFjn5V3KT5RszscgauBG0j3zjDHC85H7Y2KD_uZjzLkHNlFf4aWXKsUFhr2F5ywE/s1600/190405-DSC06200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUt01EwAdRfz_v5BXnZbANP2r1APM7SnZcVY6zrO6Y2ojJRgVjsfmhJy0xd5gpimW0mBU2eLSNQHbFjn5V3KT5RszscgauBG0j3zjDHC85H7Y2KD_uZjzLkHNlFf4aWXKsUFhr2F5ywE/s400/190405-DSC06200.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the river the old-fashioned way at Location C.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSukIdunxzg-m7UK69vkGo9fJINqt_Ej_MJUfA4Ruxd-MNa-q68CIiWMJ_p2Ek7DZNCCNghqCvkj2el8Nfvm_l8GD_5ihe1-Q71JaKGPzmyp-HQcb3FNACpL4rGUqbyvLdy2mIOhlQo1Q/s1600/190405-DSC06203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSukIdunxzg-m7UK69vkGo9fJINqt_Ej_MJUfA4Ruxd-MNa-q68CIiWMJ_p2Ek7DZNCCNghqCvkj2el8Nfvm_l8GD_5ihe1-Q71JaKGPzmyp-HQcb3FNACpL4rGUqbyvLdy2mIOhlQo1Q/s400/190405-DSC06203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press bell for ferry.</td></tr>
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<b>How to get there</b><br />
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The quickest way to get to location A is by taxi (green ones) from nearby Yuen Long MTR Station. This will save you a lot of walking unless you plan to do so. Please make sure you get the taxi company's telephone number if you wish to call them to pick you up after the walk. When you get to location C, you may want to consider taking the one and only river-crossing ferry in Hong Kong. After crossing the river, follow the signs to Yuen Long MTR Station. You will arrive at a bus-stop for mini buses. Ask for help if you do not know which bus to take to the station.<br />
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This was my bird list at Nam Sang Wai on 5 Apr 2019 morning. I was there to look for a pair of rare Glossy Ibises not seen in Hong Kong since 1994. Unfortunately, they chose to feed elsewhere that morning.<br />
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Common Redshank <br />
Spotted Redshank <br />
Common Greenshank <br />
Common Sandpiper<br />
Marsh Sandpiper <br />
Pied Avocet<br />
Black-winged Stilt <br />
Little Egret<br />
Great Egret <br />
Grey Heron<br />
Chinese Pond Heron <br />
Black-crowned Night Heron <br />
Black-faced Spoonbill <br />
Plain Prinia<br />
Yellow-bellied Prinia<br />
White Wagtail <br />
Pied Kingfisher <br />
Black-capped Kingfisher<br />
Common Kingfisher <br />
Black Kite<br />
Chinese Bulbul<br />
Red-whiskered Bulbul <br />
Common Koel<br />
Cormorants <br />
White-breasted Waterhen<br />
Common Moorhen<br />
Spotted Dove<br />
Collared Crow<br />
Masked Laughingthrush <br />
Oriental Magpie Robin <br />
Greater Coucal<br />
Swallows<br />
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<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-51217772812484067392018-12-27T22:05:00.000+08:002019-02-24T00:44:08.483+08:00Birdwatching at Hong Kong Mai Po Nature Reserve (2018)If you wish to learn more about Mai Po Nature Reserve, you may want to read my first article <a href="http://www.bigbunnytrails.com/2015/09/hong-kong-mai-po-nature-reserve.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>, or visit their <a href="https://www.wwf.org.hk/en/centres/mai_po_nature_reserve/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a> for more information.<br />
<br />
After an interval of 4 years, I re-visited Mai Po this year in the second half of November. Not just once, but 3 times! My sister, who lives in Hong Kong, managed to book me on 3 different tours:<br />
<ul>
<li>WWF - Exploring Mai Po (3 hours)</li>
<li>WWF - Mangrove Boardwalk (4 hours)</li>
<li>Birdwatching at Mai Po with the Hong Kong Birdwatching Society (6 hours)</li>
</ul>
The first 2 tours are conducted by World Wildlife Fund - Hong Kong volunteers. You pay a fee, which should be considered more of a donation to the reserve. The 3rd walk with the HK Birdwatching Society includes birding at one of the Mangrove Boardwalk hides and priority is given to members. This is a highly popular walk with serious birders. I was on the waiting list for quite long and lucky me was given a spot a few days just before the walk!<br />
<br />
Exploring Mai Po is a walk that introduces the visitor to the main features of Mai Po - the intertidal ponds, fish ponds and bird hides. You get to do a little bit of birdwatching at the only 3-storey hide in the reserve. The walk takes you to the Education Centre and back. Look out for a Pied Kingfisher that shows up frequently at the pond next to the Centre. The Pied Kingfisher has a habit of hovering before diving for fish!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw9G7ASvp15aa3BIa54r54avLVQmLr3ArLznZ2pULuSs3irkohrMn5jD8u_IHw6GJqaQZRzp0oPUyVjgT_07De9byxkmErR9OYW68064cs4lqQOxSmIPBuREO7w3jLTDGNcalu956rV0/s1600/181118-DSC05361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitw9G7ASvp15aa3BIa54r54avLVQmLr3ArLznZ2pULuSs3irkohrMn5jD8u_IHw6GJqaQZRzp0oPUyVjgT_07De9byxkmErR9OYW68064cs4lqQOxSmIPBuREO7w3jLTDGNcalu956rV0/s320/181118-DSC05361.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intertidal ponds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic96y1Q0_4vUFm0p6W7sMAysa-gJXkeaWaebRAXMADkbmzUM77VKAQImzg0gN1zgiJQv3QBj7BJeqETJLQCE7NdsFLLDR5PJ-SPQ4vv6lj0qN-i26uoPEXkYlmhsdPHRbiSN17DNPt5JU/s1600/181125-DSC05703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic96y1Q0_4vUFm0p6W7sMAysa-gJXkeaWaebRAXMADkbmzUM77VKAQImzg0gN1zgiJQv3QBj7BJeqETJLQCE7NdsFLLDR5PJ-SPQ4vv6lj0qN-i26uoPEXkYlmhsdPHRbiSN17DNPt5JU/s320/181125-DSC05703.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the 3-storey bird hide.</td></tr>
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The Mangrove Boardwalk takes you to the famous floating boardwalk in the middle of the largest mangrove forest in Hong Kong. This boardwalk was built by volunteers and floats according to the tide levels. The boardwalk 'floats' because it is supported by floating drums on both sides which are anchored to the ground by chains. On this particular day, it was low tide when we visited the hide and there were not many birds to be seen. But it was still a good day with 36 bird species in my list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBD_f_VXX5dFHTTeAMq3shiZ4Rc0vYbItekCcRLyW-2XtRNGSY96MZ3SBH_yGwuQuqpD_stfATPbp4R46wKbyl71PRXU-tNcQ8cOQch4VdaIKR5PDLMo8ReLFDjd8icWULp8dQemWDnE/s1600/181118-DSC05370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBD_f_VXX5dFHTTeAMq3shiZ4Rc0vYbItekCcRLyW-2XtRNGSY96MZ3SBH_yGwuQuqpD_stfATPbp4R46wKbyl71PRXU-tNcQ8cOQch4VdaIKR5PDLMo8ReLFDjd8icWULp8dQemWDnE/s320/181118-DSC05370.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volunteer guides, Peter and Judy, for the Mangrove Boardwalk tour.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUPWWvgXbUzG93suUmxbN7ixvwlhfByjpTifmPKl0RL4M11zY1tkSvzDyNl3EFBXxwfw8KTk-kz-2KWL93EgxO_d0tTlQQjEydcFO-Cc0DesMwDhJ9c9aSdnvzvxZwU5oXuSUTrEXPmk/s1600/181118-DSC05378-Pano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="1200" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUPWWvgXbUzG93suUmxbN7ixvwlhfByjpTifmPKl0RL4M11zY1tkSvzDyNl3EFBXxwfw8KTk-kz-2KWL93EgxO_d0tTlQQjEydcFO-Cc0DesMwDhJ9c9aSdnvzvxZwU5oXuSUTrEXPmk/s320/181118-DSC05378-Pano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner Deep Bay mudflat on a low tide day.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhoz_v60jl7nq0K41fdzEeAVe1yfMsg0fxn2K_ko08om4MlmgoLkzG3r8cxSCiMPfkIr_jLd_3NyVAgJUMEqm64rhXhmXN0Lnvf5COkDmO1K-G3WiR-NfnS_Do2xwObXkfuRfnhsnotY/s1600/181118-DSC05384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhoz_v60jl7nq0K41fdzEeAVe1yfMsg0fxn2K_ko08om4MlmgoLkzG3r8cxSCiMPfkIr_jLd_3NyVAgJUMEqm64rhXhmXN0Lnvf5COkDmO1K-G3WiR-NfnS_Do2xwObXkfuRfnhsnotY/s320/181118-DSC05384.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Mangrove Boardwalk birding hides.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The last session in late Nov with the HK Birdwatching Society was the most exciting for me because we spent almost 2 hours at the mangrove hide looking at migratory birds feeding at Deep Bay. It was high tide at noon and was a suitable time for watching shorebirds when we got there. It was such an experience for me because most of the shorebirds were not commonly seen in Singapore and I got to learn from the experts how to identify them. I saw 53 bird species on this day! See list below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQSk8VkWgaT7Y5VwdlSxnO-v9CIi1mXJjySdEfREWhTPylE3T0m9yEeRBnkTiDbfev44ZZlfKdglLRZbvDx6PxWCL-4tkNp7sCr6CecCZ4uMv1vmyq3g1HtQZdVOi7_m4kOsQVr71Bfw/s1600/181125-DSC05714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQSk8VkWgaT7Y5VwdlSxnO-v9CIi1mXJjySdEfREWhTPylE3T0m9yEeRBnkTiDbfev44ZZlfKdglLRZbvDx6PxWCL-4tkNp7sCr6CecCZ4uMv1vmyq3g1HtQZdVOi7_m4kOsQVr71Bfw/s320/181125-DSC05714.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migratory birds feeding close to the hides during high tide.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk1xy_E5vdZwI7mAHqub86_PaWeXMvxuJBQTb6ItfslTo7qtsfVfdVVxMn95BT5303nqC-xY-ojKn3OEOfXknXBvIpkIqD1GOB5L3bbJTcHs9uji-12DAY7v7lFRHh4Cp5hBU2OUpKnc/s1600/181125-DSC05723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVk1xy_E5vdZwI7mAHqub86_PaWeXMvxuJBQTb6ItfslTo7qtsfVfdVVxMn95BT5303nqC-xY-ojKn3OEOfXknXBvIpkIqD1GOB5L3bbJTcHs9uji-12DAY7v7lFRHh4Cp5hBU2OUpKnc/s320/181125-DSC05723.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Floating Boardwalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Most of these tours are conducted in Cantonese. It does help to speak their language or have someone with you who does. Otherwise, look out for the English tours, which may not be so frequent.<br />
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NOTE: This is a restricted area and permits to visit are required, especially to the Floating Boardwalk. Please book the tours in advance or look for professional birding guides who can make all the necessary arrangements for you.<br />
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This is my birding list for the 25 Nov 2018 tour with the HK Birdwatching Society:<br />
<span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5c24daf430eea9151277058">
Spotted Dove<br />
Eurasian Collared Dove<span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
Asian Azure-winged Magpie<br />
Oriental Magpie Robin<br />
Siberian Stonechat<br />
Little Bunting<br />
Yellow-browed Warbler<br />
Japanese White-eye<br />
Masked Laughingthrush<br />
Plain Prinia<br />
Cinereous Tit<br />
Common Koel (female)<br />
Chinese Pond Heron<br />
Grey Heron<br />
Purple Heron<br />
Black-crowned Night Heron<br />
Great Cormorant<br />
Collared Crow<br />
Black-collared Starling<br />
White Wagtail<br />
Red-whiskered Bulbul<br />
Chinese Bulbul<br />
Little Grebe<br />
Common Moorhen<br />
White-breasted Waterhen<br />
Common Kingfisher<br />
White-throated Kingfisher<br />
Yellow Bittern<br />
Little Egret<br />
Great Egret<br />
Black-faced Spoonbill<br />
Eurasian Spoonbill<br />
Common Sandpiper<br />
Wood Sandpiper<br />
Marsh Sandpiper<br />
Common Greenshank<br />
Common Redshank<br />
Eurasian Curlew<br />
Pacific Golden Plover<br />
Grey Plover<br />
Little Ringed Plover<br />
Kentish Plover<br />
Bar-tailed Godwit<br />
Temminck's Stint<br />
Pied Avocet<br />
Black-winged Stilt<br />
Dunlin<br />
Black-headed Gull<br />
Northern Shoveler<br />
Northern Pintail<br />
Garganey<br />
Tufted Duck<br />
Osprey</span></div>
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<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-23994663226682179592018-09-05T16:57:00.001+08:002020-04-21T14:58:12.354+08:00Birdwatching at Pasir Ris Park<br />
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Pasir Ris Park is a very large park, with a 6.6km stretch of coast and is located at the North-eastern part of Singapore. It has 3 sections. The first section stretches from the Pasir Ris Farmway area until Sungei Api-api (Sungei means river in Malay). The 2nd section is located between Sungei Api-api and Sungei Tampines. The 3rd section is connected to Downtown East, a playground with holiday chalets.<br />
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My favourite section of the park is the 2nd section, where there is a small plot of mangrove forest next to Sungei Tampines. This area has been very happening for the last few years because many bird species have been spotted here. They include the Spotted Wood Owl, Buffy Fish Owl, Sunda Scops Owl, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Red Junglefowl, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Black-crowned Night Heron, Malaysian Pied Fantail and a Grey Heron heronry. If you are really lucky, you may even see wild boars and Smooth-coated Otters! It is not unusual to find bird photographers with their bazooka lenses looking for their favourite birds there at any time of the day.<br />
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Getting here is easy. Take the MRT East-West line to Pasir Ris Station and walk towards Pasir Ris Park. Look for Car Park B or Car Park C. These two places are good locations to start your birdwatching.<br />
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Happy birding!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mr95KkIEYvzDJKhVQxKMI7IcsKRSKjMd7iDWsJboL6jwt4ktMabKm-hZt50SpnqFk12oAQ2dqwrup5E4CsVit26DFouibkD0g5uL8aVJRDN30yKxuG430N6tdz-KgLcgYwS-7ePnmLc/s1600/DSC04096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Mr95KkIEYvzDJKhVQxKMI7IcsKRSKjMd7iDWsJboL6jwt4ktMabKm-hZt50SpnqFk12oAQ2dqwrup5E4CsVit26DFouibkD0g5uL8aVJRDN30yKxuG430N6tdz-KgLcgYwS-7ePnmLc/s320/DSC04096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove forest at Sungei Tampines.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43tAYhI-hkzYBKG2IMOtvr0viV0SPJyGcgOrLOKKWM1jrMfkc-zoWP0vP0ZQqofAfIewx2kYWXR_Jgd3AzFBTsS7pRGOXhdj7SK6F-u0MDrRDIMwe9tAQYv0eHQe54xyBllsr4rIZkzk/s1600/180406-IMG_8683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43tAYhI-hkzYBKG2IMOtvr0viV0SPJyGcgOrLOKKWM1jrMfkc-zoWP0vP0ZQqofAfIewx2kYWXR_Jgd3AzFBTsS7pRGOXhdj7SK6F-u0MDrRDIMwe9tAQYv0eHQe54xyBllsr4rIZkzk/s320/180406-IMG_8683.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Junglefowl. Isn't he handsome?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXfGjYLhYWbTssgGTaajJxNlZoI91WroUMLj7UhrhXzoxR7IU-i1nB93G508a0K2B7fsos7f62AEiB3fUwb_wfAtcPe4WlRats1op2uZujwmwkH1S5TZD_S8-GvNtXRwAsMoV3hFU1xU/s1600/180508-IMG_9531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXfGjYLhYWbTssgGTaajJxNlZoI91WroUMLj7UhrhXzoxR7IU-i1nB93G508a0K2B7fsos7f62AEiB3fUwb_wfAtcPe4WlRats1op2uZujwmwkH1S5TZD_S8-GvNtXRwAsMoV3hFU1xU/s320/180508-IMG_9531.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nesting Malaysian Pied Fantail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE0QG54m4eBdFEYlje21-AHKj_4oJZMpCf2Uzq-h1bVFlKN3gPWRIDyA07cqLaFMoi14T6sPUvJ4xVVmyBeWAxWhjL4MzB4GQvDEesyjmGblkWG4rZkc8KAFQEDCZ6Mq1F7YyVU7MQt0/s1600/180808-IMG_2122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE0QG54m4eBdFEYlje21-AHKj_4oJZMpCf2Uzq-h1bVFlKN3gPWRIDyA07cqLaFMoi14T6sPUvJ4xVVmyBeWAxWhjL4MzB4GQvDEesyjmGblkWG4rZkc8KAFQEDCZ6Mq1F7YyVU7MQt0/s320/180808-IMG_2122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-crowned Night Heron.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZrJwN9HVTcEzBgdnTtkYgzf6pHbmMvv0FNBxiLhQUJlb4dXiiJB-v1gxL2q4MSAe_JPOllq8uMJtTHtx5tEerUCkMa0h953n1cNeTJXyxT1uBdl0DhuYKfplJs3bRiz2mXQWfbfDwgw/s1600/180406-IMG_8616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZrJwN9HVTcEzBgdnTtkYgzf6pHbmMvv0FNBxiLhQUJlb4dXiiJB-v1gxL2q4MSAe_JPOllq8uMJtTHtx5tEerUCkMa0h953n1cNeTJXyxT1uBdl0DhuYKfplJs3bRiz2mXQWfbfDwgw/s320/180406-IMG_8616.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laced Woodpecker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcn05-NTmXXE4I5UXNiS-FkwlrTY2i2nOLnLDcL5X0jn-WSry26873RfabvBr8sTg8aVO_rWT0RFZZsgS0XxwS79ghR5PmPRgcehFPYJchnJ2JfH7SQLTxp0ZSLO4De7twend36VhTHE/s1600/180606-IMG_0367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikcn05-NTmXXE4I5UXNiS-FkwlrTY2i2nOLnLDcL5X0jn-WSry26873RfabvBr8sTg8aVO_rWT0RFZZsgS0XxwS79ghR5PmPRgcehFPYJchnJ2JfH7SQLTxp0ZSLO4De7twend36VhTHE/s320/180606-IMG_0367.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated Kingfisher.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT-oiWODKjHlgfauZjpLfmNMRVactdB3opKeLK9zBB6YkLb756xIhKGRK5G90loTYK0U8Hw5_21iKbx7_J01OmxwClp-O-7cXwkMa2tm4yfjGOMxk6O9OvYIoy-OsiijvI9cpd3cUrHA/s1600/180808-IMG_2157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT-oiWODKjHlgfauZjpLfmNMRVactdB3opKeLK9zBB6YkLb756xIhKGRK5G90loTYK0U8Hw5_21iKbx7_J01OmxwClp-O-7cXwkMa2tm4yfjGOMxk6O9OvYIoy-OsiijvI9cpd3cUrHA/s320/180808-IMG_2157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth-coated Otters.</td></tr>
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<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-33027243431038621972016-11-11T15:28:00.002+08:002020-07-09T01:15:56.906+08:00Birdwatching at Gardens by the BayIt may surprise many to hear that Gardens by the Bay is quite a good location for birdwatching, considering the fact that it is right in the heart of the city. The many water features at the Gardens are attractive to both local residents and migrants. On a good day, one can see as many as 25 to 30 species of birds during a morning birding session.<br />
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My favourite site at the Gardens is the area near or at the Satay by the Bay. There is a lotus pond right next to the food centre and a larger Kingfisher Lake nearby. Standing on the bridge overlooking the Kingfisher Lake can yield local residents such as the White-throated Kingfisher, Ashy Tailorbird, Oriental White-eye, White-breasted Waterhen, Asian Koel and Olive-backed Sunbird. During the migratory months, you may even see the Brown Shrike, Common Kingfisher and Asian Brown Flycatcher.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQngUQXE_pHwp8dTzERyovcGSlISc_7jXIr2pVgs4D59pgITJWzlp91QlHsHEG3hNZ3gcXaolP8fUTEjmkbJBW2kyZQUDNl8qybh4k-6OVhCJhP6jBVWqJhFRwKXOKCKkJ3z7-k6g6IgI/s1600/160719-DSC00172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQngUQXE_pHwp8dTzERyovcGSlISc_7jXIr2pVgs4D59pgITJWzlp91QlHsHEG3hNZ3gcXaolP8fUTEjmkbJBW2kyZQUDNl8qybh4k-6OVhCJhP6jBVWqJhFRwKXOKCKkJ3z7-k6g6IgI/s400/160719-DSC00172.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdwatcher in action at the lotus pond.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuHGG0xDHGJ4djHOHJolpr_7hsa7M-b2avap72F429I97OmiDfih-xqzm2MDQPfjYC0BLcPDnvXHvYVslBq0AWqA36-M2lNfeZWyPs0qXVxFezpXPk-CnK4bLQ-GBjVl_yRBecvarZw8/s1600/160719-DSC00184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuHGG0xDHGJ4djHOHJolpr_7hsa7M-b2avap72F429I97OmiDfih-xqzm2MDQPfjYC0BLcPDnvXHvYVslBq0AWqA36-M2lNfeZWyPs0qXVxFezpXPk-CnK4bLQ-GBjVl_yRBecvarZw8/s400/160719-DSC00184.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHrDCNsdzDXIRsBwv_Ic2rC6aQnclO7bA0FU-1KrIXk0sw0h3xQoc-uztDKn_nzyUvWV7_9HvM-uO3_HSTx6MU4uvTebLa0fpehZ6jjF4VFR647FNcXKA9CXZms6nvTiHbYMHSZlmbFk/s1600/160908-IMG_9679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHrDCNsdzDXIRsBwv_Ic2rC6aQnclO7bA0FU-1KrIXk0sw0h3xQoc-uztDKn_nzyUvWV7_9HvM-uO3_HSTx6MU4uvTebLa0fpehZ6jjF4VFR647FNcXKA9CXZms6nvTiHbYMHSZlmbFk/s400/160908-IMG_9679.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea).</td></tr>
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</div>The Asian Koel is a noisy bird, often calling at the break of dawn. The easily recognisable male territorial call is a very loud KO-EL, with emphasis on the second note and repeated with increasing emphasis. The male bird may be mistaken for a crow, except that it has glossy blue-black plumage, a stout greenish bill and red eyes. An increase in the population of House Crows in Singapore also means more Koels because they are brood parasites. The female Koel lays her eggs in another bird's nest, usually the House Crow's, and lets the other bird bring up her chicks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJenfEFjYgq3q_IAenlzEQ3takA043fCpVuKj_SeVwulnEXNWPmCdECGnnx-mJ2UrpLd0zKulFKAPPKepIz0mx-g6AssQGdeVt2K6latJ-5oPwXZahRH70L2pO35tWIHOXYGgdAZLXVE/s1600/160908-IMG_9683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJenfEFjYgq3q_IAenlzEQ3takA043fCpVuKj_SeVwulnEXNWPmCdECGnnx-mJ2UrpLd0zKulFKAPPKepIz0mx-g6AssQGdeVt2K6latJ-5oPwXZahRH70L2pO35tWIHOXYGgdAZLXVE/s400/160908-IMG_9683.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental White-eye (Zosterops palpebrosus).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSw-LIkshSmfdy-vMxUkFIud4QIW7Xgob3rDjYLSVT4Er5pP1SwLe71TJPlfLVzxY_Nqh2wKoEnCOSzFLV5aTT_z02ZS14yG-CbzRG2TXnqfkWKF6sDI9z_1XlYLv8xL9ydJmUADr98Y/s1600/IMG_9880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSw-LIkshSmfdy-vMxUkFIud4QIW7Xgob3rDjYLSVT4Er5pP1SwLe71TJPlfLVzxY_Nqh2wKoEnCOSzFLV5aTT_z02ZS14yG-CbzRG2TXnqfkWKF6sDI9z_1XlYLv8xL9ydJmUADr98Y/s400/IMG_9880.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Fantail (Rhipidura javanica).<br />
This bird is easy to recognise because it has a habit of fanning out its tail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7127cgd4b5le7pd7LyYeBz9Po5wS7I0A-E9eRMhCDcjZec9_2TJNlH7ToEFtvUDfdpJ76YiDsskUCwq6U5WklWiGULv0z3ockOVOgwCkHfkzpGLs1bj8SuPs4eVCGKx0MvRUeSUrhyphenhyphenc/s1600/IMG_9895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7127cgd4b5le7pd7LyYeBz9Po5wS7I0A-E9eRMhCDcjZec9_2TJNlH7ToEFtvUDfdpJ76YiDsskUCwq6U5WklWiGULv0z3ockOVOgwCkHfkzpGLs1bj8SuPs4eVCGKx0MvRUeSUrhyphenhyphenc/s400/IMG_9895.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Triller (Lalage nigra) .</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN5PyzyYU2_A7uJNZRrkJF6HkGjH-U1pG8DgOw9pZndJ7AOuBiDxHVy-AOSfhxrVCjupsQmx26qy1_G8Zh0AlbHOYB2IsWadTUuu74rYE0z3FIjmADdLng_Z1ccx6zbRYdO03-KrONvY/s1600/IMG_9971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN5PyzyYU2_A7uJNZRrkJF6HkGjH-U1pG8DgOw9pZndJ7AOuBiDxHVy-AOSfhxrVCjupsQmx26qy1_G8Zh0AlbHOYB2IsWadTUuu74rYE0z3FIjmADdLng_Z1ccx6zbRYdO03-KrONvY/s400/IMG_9971.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Olive-backed Sunbird (Cinnyris jugularis).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n9et3iNCkfAQzSW_Qod8RqaQV33A3bOBzNMjAco_nGbei17G5UBV9FGb_MXQWdDXZjHwmgLqQdYfyZatR-rkO-a9DeUwAnfwGWaYqLu8Npa5OdCNSQG121PVqkjo8pMrCATiVN_le-k/s1600/160908-IMG_9729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0n9et3iNCkfAQzSW_Qod8RqaQV33A3bOBzNMjAco_nGbei17G5UBV9FGb_MXQWdDXZjHwmgLqQdYfyZatR-rkO-a9DeUwAnfwGWaYqLu8Npa5OdCNSQG121PVqkjo8pMrCATiVN_le-k/s400/160908-IMG_9729.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Olive-backed Sunbird feeding from the Scarlet Spiral Flag flower.</td></tr>
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</div>The Olive-backed Sunbird is commonly found in our parks and gardens. One can easily find them at the Gardens, busily drinking nectar from the Scarlet Spiral Flag (Costus woodsonii) flowers. Their call sounds like <i>tswi-tswit-tititititi</i>, or <i>twit-twit-twit-twit</i>. Small bird, loud voice!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2LVIfcCrhJq36F1hHzHHTi5shy44yvb-9nFnmX1in7jEH_VCqxd8l1AJgUOuG3-UpdJ0tTS5h9AGFstyKxhySV2_mCqKJEn-bwUMq16Z3KYm7FvJhn1Zkj0j3sMQaPXPtV7pkERYTcI/s1600/180219-IMG_8155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2LVIfcCrhJq36F1hHzHHTi5shy44yvb-9nFnmX1in7jEH_VCqxd8l1AJgUOuG3-UpdJ0tTS5h9AGFstyKxhySV2_mCqKJEn-bwUMq16Z3KYm7FvJhn1Zkj0j3sMQaPXPtV7pkERYTcI/s400/180219-IMG_8155.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-bellied Sea eagle. Often found soaring above Marina Bay area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP725qYcPLrvbsj5IZm1ok3G8MMxCQTViUSoxlcfhbFDJamdEzdDuug2ZBLgZsI0tLhr_kRDirHSZEbTSIWoJCEHdcWHlhcoNzzB_uBEpGmFjDvUMwrtOKVGInGtmtzgGwJyiktHWyoo0/s1600/180223-IMG_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP725qYcPLrvbsj5IZm1ok3G8MMxCQTViUSoxlcfhbFDJamdEzdDuug2ZBLgZsI0tLhr_kRDirHSZEbTSIWoJCEHdcWHlhcoNzzB_uBEpGmFjDvUMwrtOKVGInGtmtzgGwJyiktHWyoo0/s400/180223-IMG_8185.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This particular male Laced Woodpecker likes to peck on metallic lampshades.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4jK-i7tWq-PoDbrMSlA-XCufvBgECJEd1gyN3rNl6I2-FSEpEfC8QDvGc03cwRTMvvq9qQENfD5ZoxmN1FEuRe2ZQndld8YI-l_0FMXcaZ71hpVtbONV7saGXVN3-q7c65n5OGP48hQ/s1600/180425-IMG_8927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4jK-i7tWq-PoDbrMSlA-XCufvBgECJEd1gyN3rNl6I2-FSEpEfC8QDvGc03cwRTMvvq9qQENfD5ZoxmN1FEuRe2ZQndld8YI-l_0FMXcaZ71hpVtbONV7saGXVN3-q7c65n5OGP48hQ/s400/180425-IMG_8927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elusive resident - Ruddy-breasted Crake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7vMBUKp9dIlTCI7aPyj_AHM6M2wnWlFZAedchOKFz_YxzoezEMqLLU_cBuhHfkj1AA9qlUlJagB8Bp1H0daWAeE5WuL4SzmI9pr1po-vCNNjUF4J-8XG98jPCikoD-kR3zh1C9FMp5U/s1600/190208-IMG_6152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7vMBUKp9dIlTCI7aPyj_AHM6M2wnWlFZAedchOKFz_YxzoezEMqLLU_cBuhHfkj1AA9qlUlJagB8Bp1H0daWAeE5WuL4SzmI9pr1po-vCNNjUF4J-8XG98jPCikoD-kR3zh1C9FMp5U/s400/190208-IMG_6152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another elusive resident - Red-legged Crake.</td></tr>
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</div>Some of the birds I have seen at the Satay by the Bay area were:<br />
<br />
Javan Myna<br />
Common Myna<br />
Asian Glossy Starling<br />
Pink-necked Pigeon<br />
Rock Pigeon<br />
Olive-backed Sunbird<br />
Brown-throated Sunbird<br />
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker<br />
Oriental Magpie Robin<br />
Asian Koel<br />
Yellow-vented Bulbul<br />
Common Tailorbird<br />
Ashy Tailorbird<br />
Common Iora<br />
Red-breasted Parakeet<br />
Rose-ringed Parakeet<br />
Eurasian Tree Sparrow<br />
House Crow<br />
Spotted-necked Dove<br />
Zebra Dove<br />
Greater Coucal<br />
Little Bronze Cuckoo<br />
Plaintive Cuckoo<br />
Little Tern (at the reservoir)<br />
Grey Heron<br />
Great-billed Heron<br />
Yellow Bittern<br />
Pacific Swallow<br />
Barn Swallow<br />
White-breasted Waterhen<br />
Red Junglefowl<br />
Pied Triller<br />
Pied Fantail<br />
Large-tailed Nightjar<br />
White-throated Kingfisher<br />
Collared Kingfisher<br />
Stock-billed Kingfisher<br />
Black-naped Oriole<br />
Scaly-breasted Munia<br />
Yellow-bellied Prinia<br />
Sunda Woodpecker<br />
White-bellied Sea-eagle<br />
Brahminy Kite<br />
Changeable Hawk-eagle<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bigbunnytrails.com/2019/09/birdwatching-at-gardens-by-bay.html" target="_blank"><b>Migrants</b></a><br />
Common Kingfisher<br />
Tiger Shrike<br />
Brown Shrike<br />
Asian Brown Flycatcher<br />
Yellow-rumped Flycatcher<br />
Asian Paradise Flycatcher<br />
Arctic Warbler<br />
Oriental Reed-warbler <br />
Black-browed Reed-warbler<br />
Common Sandpiper<br />
Oriental Honey Buzzard<br />
<br />
Happy birding!<br />
Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-67933575441887569982015-11-07T16:07:00.000+08:002015-11-23T01:17:21.909+08:00Camera Settings Tips for Better Photos<h3>
Beyond Auto - Camera Settings Tips for Better Photos</h3>
<br />
Many of us buy expensive camera equipment and smartphones only to use the P or Auto function to take photos. Yes, I am sure you got great photos most of the time. But what about those occasions where the whites were not quite white, the blacks not black enough, and the colours seemed a little off? With some simple change of settings, you can take control back from the camera to get that photo you want.<br />
<br />
My sister owns a good compact camera. She enjoys taking photos but doesn't know why I could get the camera to do that extra bit to make the photos a little nicer. This guide is based on some notes I wrote for her and it is applicable to smartphones, compacts and even DSLRs. I have been using SLRs in the manual mode for many years. These are some of the settings which I would check on before tripping the shutter button and it has worked out rather well for me. I will also attempt to explain the concept as simply as possible. If you wish to learn more about the individual topics, I am sure you can find lots of info out there on the Internet.<br />
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<h4>
1. Use the gridlines</h4>
<br />
Have you ever taken lots of photos at the beach or in a beautiful city and then realised when you got home the horizon was slanted, ships were on a slope, or the buildings were slanted when you wanted them to be straight? You can correct that in most photo editing software but isn't it better not to have to do that in the first place? The secret here is to use the gridlines! This can be easily switched on in most DSLRs and smartphones to display in your viewing screen and it doesn't distract from your photo-taking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK5j8t-qLODSZdd2Qz-lYPLYWbEJJZPu8pDkHMQurnlXH4NRsNvshh6qCxn01_POMeeodT4mMkQo6vCXg-X4D6mYrRQwadbYozwaEo_-0XHnbtX9CRT_u7n2oGBdQjUQWvBoB63pkMPw/s1600/settings-gridlines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Camera gridlines display" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK5j8t-qLODSZdd2Qz-lYPLYWbEJJZPu8pDkHMQurnlXH4NRsNvshh6qCxn01_POMeeodT4mMkQo6vCXg-X4D6mYrRQwadbYozwaEo_-0XHnbtX9CRT_u7n2oGBdQjUQWvBoB63pkMPw/s400/settings-gridlines.jpg" title="Camera gridlines display" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use gridlines as guidelines to straighten the buildings in your photos.</td></tr>
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<h4>
2. Auto white balance (AWB)</h4>
<br />
Have you ever had photos where the skin tones didn't look quite right? Or maybe it was an indoor shot and the whole image had an orange or bluish tinge to it? This has something to do with the colour temperature of visible light. To correct it, we need to adjust the white balance in the camera. Why? This is because different sources of light have different colour temperatures and we do not notice them because our eyes automatically compensate for it.<br />
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<i>If you want to read up more about this, please google "white balance" and "colour temperature".</i><br />
<br />
The camera can select the correct white balance most of the time. However, when you find the image tinted with a colour which is not quite what you want, try changing the white balance setting.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgu3pG8CZa2yNGa2jb9Pdk2Cm3KvhZylhjyg2p0Qw-W5lJ7oUqsjWkxMFAeuzS20gCr7v9BY6eDzXQSGs6YrOY67mDhBQ5Vvd5Sd8NhTCv4IWJe99p-HcaJt4cj2VSB8jBtlXAhyphenhyphen8Vzs/s1600/150722-_MG_7382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="White balance example" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgu3pG8CZa2yNGa2jb9Pdk2Cm3KvhZylhjyg2p0Qw-W5lJ7oUqsjWkxMFAeuzS20gCr7v9BY6eDzXQSGs6YrOY67mDhBQ5Vvd5Sd8NhTCv4IWJe99p-HcaJt4cj2VSB8jBtlXAhyphenhyphen8Vzs/s400/150722-_MG_7382.jpg" title="White balance example" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A daylight image with white balance set to Tungsten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The most common options are:<br />
<br />
AWB - auto white balance - the camera decides<br />
Daylight - outdoors and sunny skies<br />
Cloudy - outdoors and cloudy or in the shade<br />
Tungsten - light with heated filament<br />
Fluorescent - usually tube-shaped electronic lights<br />
<br />
If changing the camera white balance still does not give you what you want, you will have to tweak it in photo-editing software. <br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Depth of field (DOF)</h4>
<br />
When your camera is focused at a single point, there is an area that stretches in front of and behind the focus point which appears to be sharp. This area is known as the depth of field or DOF. Photographers like to talk about <i>shallow</i> DOF or <i>deep</i> DOF.<br />
<br />
A very good example of a shallow depth of field is a portrait. The area in front of or behind the person or face is usually thrown out of focus because we want to emphasise on the subject. We prefer deep depth of field for landscapes because we want everything from the foreground to the horizon to be sharp.<br />
<br />
For smartphones, compact cameras and entry-level DSLRs, look for the Portrait or Landscape icons, usually represented by an image of a face or mountain respectively. The Portrait setting gives a shallow DOF while the Landscape setting provides you with a deep DOF.<br />
<br />
For camera owners with more options, select Aperture Priority and adjust the aperture (f-stop number). Aperture adjustment could be a ring on your lens, or you may have to turn some dials. The smaller the f-stop number, the shallower the DOF and vice versa. The camera will decide on an appropriate shutter speed. If the "camera shake" icon appears, make sure you put your camera on a tripod.<br />
<br />
I can't tell you exactly which f-stop number to use because the amount of zoom, distance from the subject affects the DOF too. Just play around with different f-stop numbers and see what works best for your equipment.<br />
<br />
<h4>
4. Exposure compensation (+/-)</h4>
<br />
When a smartphone camera frames an image, it automatically calculates how much exposure is required. The same goes for our compacts and DSLRs when we half-press the shutter button. Our cameras are very smart, but not smart enough to know whether we are shooting, for eg. a white piece of paper or a dark piece of cloth. Since it always tries to give us a balanced exposure, it will expose the image as a mid-tone grey. And that is the reason why our whites appear greyish, and blacks appear dark greyish.<br />
<br />
This is where exposure compensation comes in. To make the image brighter, you need to increase exposure (+). To make it darker, you decrease exposure (-). Since most new digital cameras give live feedback, you can stop increasing or decreasing the exposure once you get what you want.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtGKhAW1342nvMWf0ZFU_CXYI7PvJMsactmPtqE37LUYg88kGU4hnr2qeISnN-7l7xBiBHJEt7fjs4bD-OghyphenhyphenJcsE7Rwwys8jioaCiiOxr-aZYe1Wfp28r6DEMKxx1hTF7kaW6Ytgvec/s1600/IMG_20151102_161345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtGKhAW1342nvMWf0ZFU_CXYI7PvJMsactmPtqE37LUYg88kGU4hnr2qeISnN-7l7xBiBHJEt7fjs4bD-OghyphenhyphenJcsE7Rwwys8jioaCiiOxr-aZYe1Wfp28r6DEMKxx1hTF7kaW6Ytgvec/s400/IMG_20151102_161345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White balance card and mid-tone grey.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
White balance cards like the one above are useful for DSLR photographers who are trying to understand more about exposure. If you can make the mid-tone grey in your image match what is on the real card, the rest of the exposure will fall into place. This means exposing for the grey card and the exposure meter should be at the +/- 0 mark.<br />
<br />
The supplier of the above <a href="http://michaeltapesdesign.com/whibal.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WhiBal</a> card has a few excellent <a href="http://www.whibalhost.com/_Tutorials/WhiBal/01/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">videos</a> on white balance and how to use the card.<br />
<br />
<h4>
5. Fill Flash</h4>
<br />
If you leave the camera on Auto and take the following photo, this is most likely what you would get:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D7gEV9rdIdqF48HRkLBmypdQR2qnBJMs8QdpTdA9EVsYQsUkSEInWVSYVEI1NX-F_47D3REr_zuRTm1hfzWgYmromOHgWTItfPobpQPUi1Qg03r6r-JnS2fS3hKMgoDy3RwH7Rjh3oA/s1600/_MG_8170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D7gEV9rdIdqF48HRkLBmypdQR2qnBJMs8QdpTdA9EVsYQsUkSEInWVSYVEI1NX-F_47D3REr_zuRTm1hfzWgYmromOHgWTItfPobpQPUi1Qg03r6r-JnS2fS3hKMgoDy3RwH7Rjh3oA/s400/_MG_8170.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without fill flash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The background is very bright and the foreground trees appear almost like silhouettes. Like I mentioned earlier, the camera will expose the image as a mid-tone grey. It does not know that there is not enough light from the front to light up the subject given the current exposure.<br />
<br />
You can either:<br />
<ol>
<li>increase exposure to show details in the trees OR</li>
<li>use fill flash</li>
</ol>
<div>
If you choose option 1, the foreground trees will be properly exposed. However, the background will be totally blown out, unless that is the kind of effect you are looking for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Option 2 is the preferred choice because the background will remain the same, and that little pop of flash will supplement the front light and fill in the shadows.</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34l7YifK8ilzJcBEYT89JIEKBjcMaVqZ_AncDmhEw1d6XZXH81C9P_Rj8sreWRXmHK5RMN9ehOg-XNteftCcsY6fJm-7XSOwzmb0eNJXNnCrGqNXNNLe7_TJD5ZkgdDdlMbLGOIYqBZA/s1600/_MG_8171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34l7YifK8ilzJcBEYT89JIEKBjcMaVqZ_AncDmhEw1d6XZXH81C9P_Rj8sreWRXmHK5RMN9ehOg-XNteftCcsY6fJm-7XSOwzmb0eNJXNnCrGqNXNNLe7_TJD5ZkgdDdlMbLGOIYqBZA/s400/_MG_8171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With fill flash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Fill flash is also very useful when taking photos of people where you don't want their facial features casting shadows on their faces, for eg. under the nose, eyes and chin, or if the subject is wearing a hat. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This feature can be turned on by forcing the flash to be ON in most smartphones and compacts. Some cameras would require you to pop the flash up manually.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Experiment and don't be afraid to turn the flash on even in broad daylight!</div>
<br />
<h4>
6. Minimise camera shake</h4>
<br />
If you want sharper photos, use one hand to hold the camera steady and use the other to press the shutter button. Using one hand to take photos looks very cool, but most of us do not have very steady hands and that will inevitably introduce a little camera shake to our photos, especially when light conditions are not good. If you can put your camera on a tripod or some kind of support, that would be even better!<br />
<br />
If you are not convinced, enlarge your photos in a photo-editing software and compare them. You will most often find that those taken with one hand is a little blurry, no matter how steady you think your hands are.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, I think that is all for now. Happy shooting!Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-11560215536253378602015-09-27T02:21:00.000+08:002019-01-12T09:25:45.518+08:00HK Nature Walk - Mai Po Nature ReserveThere is a very important piece of wetland that lies in the north-western corner of Hong Kong - the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site. The Ramsar Convention's mission is <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<i>the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world</i>". Not every wetland qualifies to be a Ramsar site because a number of ecological criterion must be met. Hong Kong was invited to the Convention in 1979.</span><br />
<br />
In 1995, the Hong Kong Government designated the Inner Deep Bay area as a Ramsar site, which means it has an international obligation to protect its valuable wetlands. This 2,700-hectare site is home to a diversity of habitats supporting a wide range of species, and it is a haven for migratory birds to rest and feed. Hong Kong lies at the mid-point of the East-Asian Australasian Flyway and as many as 20,000 to 30,000 shorebirds regularly use the site's inter-tidal mudflats, feeding on the fish, shrimps and crabs among the mangroves.<br />
<br />
Mai Po Nature Reserve is a 380-hectare area in Deep Bay. It has been managed by WWF-Hong Kong (World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation!) since 1983, where staff and volunteers carry out habitat and infrastructure management, research and monitoring, community, wetland training, education and visitor marketing works.<br />
<br />
Access to Mai Po is restricted and you must apply for a permit. To make things easier, <a href="https://www.wwf.org.hk/maipo/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WWF-HK</a> organises guided tours for visitors with different interest levels.<br />
<br />
Last November, I finally made my first visit to Mai Po after talking about it for several years. It was a much bigger place than Hong Kong Wetland Park and had more birds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqGfDwEkBSeAo_jTOuSIiUmYpwLlJYk5VdK-rJMYgldLBhf0OIfLwA4akg11CRI_GD6HiGqIMJXWOFJ7DWkhw1M2kcRaHCakX5w8H9ksdhpheKAviYAGCAR9kcnoQrKdtbRkMfasWH3s/s1600/141109-_MG_5261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqGfDwEkBSeAo_jTOuSIiUmYpwLlJYk5VdK-rJMYgldLBhf0OIfLwA4akg11CRI_GD6HiGqIMJXWOFJ7DWkhw1M2kcRaHCakX5w8H9ksdhpheKAviYAGCAR9kcnoQrKdtbRkMfasWH3s/s320/141109-_MG_5261.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional shrimp ponds called gei wai. Not only do they support lots of aquatic and marine life, they are also a food source for other wildlife such as waterbirds, mammals and reptiles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd_hnTkx2DYtOY3SppG10QAPXrRpzFYFGU4FihP6JhxXSCSBsutZcBH0Y6GtnuqwzL8-T-etxtGESSbpUO6s-DK0hUsi-NUvrjSj9Hr3n_LD8WKHo1Uq_NJ7X6uNhQ82UjoyjveV5j0k/s1600/141109-_MG_5289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd_hnTkx2DYtOY3SppG10QAPXrRpzFYFGU4FihP6JhxXSCSBsutZcBH0Y6GtnuqwzL8-T-etxtGESSbpUO6s-DK0hUsi-NUvrjSj9Hr3n_LD8WKHo1Uq_NJ7X6uNhQ82UjoyjveV5j0k/s320/141109-_MG_5289.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tall buildings in the distance were in Shenzhen. Yes, we were that close.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0Vjc5uyoN-kAekE_wEiXyshQK5eBNz3Rnq4AvV8ybPrtNMsk4eu9nMCiW48TotnH7fXQB6AIDJnUcaLBY0Ik9b1e8TZBUTHh1Br1qngSup8iEMEBRBPE5ZE5I2-MKfTlHcIzYNHt9L4/s1600/141109-_MG_5306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0Vjc5uyoN-kAekE_wEiXyshQK5eBNz3Rnq4AvV8ybPrtNMsk4eu9nMCiW48TotnH7fXQB6AIDJnUcaLBY0Ik9b1e8TZBUTHh1Br1qngSup8iEMEBRBPE5ZE5I2-MKfTlHcIzYNHt9L4/s320/141109-_MG_5306.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting briefed by a WWF-HK volunteer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcGa34_NZGh6qKGLbIKFkm69J6B48SbHf5c3ytHI_aEAYGm0wpwEeZWvl2zwm-bpL-mWTYyWMayKcWz7q9yO9MqVFm0Y2ANY1dS1zDXIJs3iaYmAgBFaC2zHLB33wEmJe5aW_s6g91TA/s1600/141109-_MG_5324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWcGa34_NZGh6qKGLbIKFkm69J6B48SbHf5c3ytHI_aEAYGm0wpwEeZWvl2zwm-bpL-mWTYyWMayKcWz7q9yO9MqVFm0Y2ANY1dS1zDXIJs3iaYmAgBFaC2zHLB33wEmJe5aW_s6g91TA/s320/141109-_MG_5324.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water lily pond.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5nYEsTy2w5m7uCER_awZshXB4on8wx6nwaXH5Nl1aern2MnhyphenhyphenICEJYEATBaJRV73WHi5ojqvRWdgE6FdD1uCn7AMUv3nPlsu-4rasSrT3eoOxuktflfA0SB36ablKO5_jZZZMjtPkB4/s1600/141109-_MG_5383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5nYEsTy2w5m7uCER_awZshXB4on8wx6nwaXH5Nl1aern2MnhyphenhyphenICEJYEATBaJRV73WHi5ojqvRWdgE6FdD1uCn7AMUv3nPlsu-4rasSrT3eoOxuktflfA0SB36ablKO5_jZZZMjtPkB4/s320/141109-_MG_5383.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of waterfowl spend their winter months here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The highlight for me was the Mangrove Forest and the Floating Boardwalk. This was in the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) where yet another permit was required.<br />
<br />
The boardwalk floated because it was not anchored firmly to the ground. It was constructed on top of planks which were secured on top of pairs of plastic drums. During low tide, the drums sat on the mud and the boardwalk was stable and easy to walk on. However, during high tide, the drums floated and the boardwalk became a little bouncy. This was an interesting design because it meant the boardwalk would always remain above the highest tide levels.<br />
<br />
The forest was another surprise for me. I have never seen such a thick mangrove forest where the trees seemed to go on forever. It was definitely quite different from the mangrove forests we have back home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk15F0nePbZCRy0P9DLKLARtqoYvZ7xL4cwF5gAdZovtEY43NXnTKcHIFOmdJTz2ZRGWIHqtJWZbFyigPTtHKw-dmbulYBu-n1P1gdiU4NxwJJgr7xu3WjmOpIBg6s0p0sLk__IbGy1vU/s1600/141110-_MG_5458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk15F0nePbZCRy0P9DLKLARtqoYvZ7xL4cwF5gAdZovtEY43NXnTKcHIFOmdJTz2ZRGWIHqtJWZbFyigPTtHKw-dmbulYBu-n1P1gdiU4NxwJJgr7xu3WjmOpIBg6s0p0sLk__IbGy1vU/s320/141110-_MG_5458.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Floating Boardwalk which lead to a hide facing Deep Bay. The mangrove was within a fenced up area and we entered it under the watchful eyes of a couple of policemen. The distance to the hide was about 1.8km.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKGo74LJZDDr9gFOACTfuaYL_dZvkxYLAFsERD25WkmDTT4NAsibKAsTW34oD_UcWFEamhAKn6UdHo3ghy2PSJAyrRPuhYTbG1PtPe7NuUW3d74ISco4_ZsyNU-zEtxX9bY2WGUweoKs/s1600/141110-_MG_5464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKGo74LJZDDr9gFOACTfuaYL_dZvkxYLAFsERD25WkmDTT4NAsibKAsTW34oD_UcWFEamhAKn6UdHo3ghy2PSJAyrRPuhYTbG1PtPe7NuUW3d74ISco4_ZsyNU-zEtxX9bY2WGUweoKs/s320/141110-_MG_5464.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparring Fiddler Crabs. Did you notice one has a large LEFT claw while the other has a large RIGHT claw?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
At the end of the boardwalk was a floating hide and there was this huge expanse of mudflat in front. There were many small little bumps on the mudflat which I realised later were lots and lots of crabs and mudskippers. I finally understood why so many thousands of birds stop by Mai Po to feed because there was so much food for them there. This place will definitely be on my to-visit list when I visit Hong Kong again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7E7bnmCdf9g9b5cHFr3eHqxQLVnhyphenhyphen7QPap2SWU1iIyE6YiZSdF_g8-V-KaOKcwhHwZNHkNvwlmojPCusuxAaBrObM8gMYtroHeg-Zvsj6gehU2z51IGqCSiQm2AVIawlEkYR6fNKXTk/s1600/141110-_MG_5478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7E7bnmCdf9g9b5cHFr3eHqxQLVnhyphenhyphen7QPap2SWU1iIyE6YiZSdF_g8-V-KaOKcwhHwZNHkNvwlmojPCusuxAaBrObM8gMYtroHeg-Zvsj6gehU2z51IGqCSiQm2AVIawlEkYR6fNKXTk/s320/141110-_MG_5478.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mudflat at Deep Bay facing Shenzhen. There must be millions of crabs and mudskippers and other creatures feeding there during low tide. There were also birds feeding out there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<b>How to get there</b><br />
<br />
From MTR stations Sheung Shui or Yuen Long, you can take a green taxi to the entrance of the nature reserve. The ride is about 15 to 20 minutes and costs not more than HKD80.<br />
<br />
If you prefer to take the public or mini bus, which is definitely cheaper, you have to alight outside Mai Po Village and walk about 20-30 minutes to the reserve entrance. For what buses to take, please refer to the <a href="https://www.wwf.org.hk/en/centres/mai_po_nature_reserve/gomaipo/getthere/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Getting There</a> instructions at the WWF-HK Mai Po web site.<br />
<br />
<b>Admission</b><br />
<br />
Access to Mai Po is restricted and there are daily quotas. Please apply early for your permits to avoid disappointment.<br />
<br />
For overseas visitors, you can become a member of WWF-HK and apply for a one-year permit. Or you may apply for a single visit permit if you satisfy certain criteria. Please check the latest fees and instructions for permits on the website.<br />
<br />
There are guided tours organised by WWF-HK too. Please check the website for the latest information.<br />
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<b>Tip</b><br />
<br />
This is a great place to visit if you are a hard-core nature lover. Spring and autumn are good for watching migratory shorebirds. Winter is a good time to look for waterbirds. Binoculars is a must, having a telescope is even better. Be prepared to do a lot of walking because some of the hides are located at least 2km away from the entrance. If you want to photograph birds, bring the longest telephoto lens you own but make sure you can walk long distances with your heavy equipment.<br />
<br />
Mai Po is not for everyone. If walking long distances to get to a hide, or waiting patiently for a particular bird to appear is not your cup of tea, I suggest you visit <a href="http://www.bigbunnytrails.com/2015/08/hk-nature-walk-hong-kong-wetland-park.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hong Kong Wetland Park</a> instead. HKWP is easily accessible by public transport and the visitor centre has loads of educational information about wetlands.Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-10363466174184114542015-08-30T22:17:00.002+08:002015-09-27T11:32:41.979+08:00HK Nature Walk - Hong Kong Wetland Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Hong Kong Wetland Park has become one of my must-go places whenever I visit Hong Kong. It is a great place to chill out, enjoy the greenery, observe animal behaviour and to practise my nature photography skills.<br />
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The Visitor Centre has a wonderful gallery which explains the importance of wetlands and why we should conserve them. There are also themed exhibits which are changed regularly so there is always something new to learn.<br />
<br />
Outdoors, there are boardwalks that lead to different habitats and bird hides where you can sit quietly to observe or photograph the waterbirds. One of my favourites is the Mangrove Boardwalk which brings you close to the mud level where you can see lots of mudskippers going about their daily business during low tide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrdq7r1b5EFpMex7BGl-6y23M6n2w6qYi-p2m41AbVs0vqZ9bzuxuKhy6iWepl7Zdm_GLTljNnHhMybVNcuHGAwjxGyR583kbQQjqZjYmwYF0RHIZIXPrLXF8-V9w4rWutM23itJ22wI/s1600/_MG_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrdq7r1b5EFpMex7BGl-6y23M6n2w6qYi-p2m41AbVs0vqZ9bzuxuKhy6iWepl7Zdm_GLTljNnHhMybVNcuHGAwjxGyR583kbQQjqZjYmwYF0RHIZIXPrLXF8-V9w4rWutM23itJ22wI/s400/_MG_0238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main entrance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzNy8oT65DX_Jksit73bBHfxdmVZWw6LDj41OY7_Pyr6o6YPWtHcctFwV8nasUTolFs-qhmHxHtHno72NpV3ZRgig-E1xsbQANpFRDd13V_82h9nh4gEyFKt5vgpq9FUZ9rSrVlFEwiA/s1600/141103-_MG_5138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzNy8oT65DX_Jksit73bBHfxdmVZWw6LDj41OY7_Pyr6o6YPWtHcctFwV8nasUTolFs-qhmHxHtHno72NpV3ZRgig-E1xsbQANpFRDd13V_82h9nh4gEyFKt5vgpq9FUZ9rSrVlFEwiA/s400/141103-_MG_5138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park is located right next to a housing estate at<br />
Tin Shui Wai, New Territories.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTUGQWucRu9oFhucTbhO9pwVOk1JTmvaBTQxgoTc8VG5dXrCyON9CXUhdeRYCterwhMFkPout45YLpRPXWSpaTTe5Tt-XZ-4f-upo9q5n6iiDmlNvOKqDTfuFFdl7_5WCLKpQlGI2eg/s1600/141108-IMG_2267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RTUGQWucRu9oFhucTbhO9pwVOk1JTmvaBTQxgoTc8VG5dXrCyON9CXUhdeRYCterwhMFkPout45YLpRPXWSpaTTe5Tt-XZ-4f-upo9q5n6iiDmlNvOKqDTfuFFdl7_5WCLKpQlGI2eg/s400/141108-IMG_2267.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The 2 star attractions - Pui Pui, a saltwater crocodile caught at the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shan Pui River, and Pei Pei, a Black-faced Spoonbill. Hong Kong is an<br />
important wintering place for the endangered Black-faced Spoonbills.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLUr2NWLn1Y3ZwMvQ2u84t_BU69iE-lVEAB58see8RUF576HKThBP2LIbbTcsWBIuYjTY7L3rffqijHVetTaNCikKLtnKIvo2-NzN7BzAygRhwcc3rEcEgniSlOxRKxGaWGugOVVhkw/s1600/141108-IMG_2248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLUr2NWLn1Y3ZwMvQ2u84t_BU69iE-lVEAB58see8RUF576HKThBP2LIbbTcsWBIuYjTY7L3rffqijHVetTaNCikKLtnKIvo2-NzN7BzAygRhwcc3rEcEgniSlOxRKxGaWGugOVVhkw/s400/141108-IMG_2248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove forest exhibit at the Visitor Centre.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvX8Y1wNcorSjDYIZUYFpYBP5RF0XU61ldHncph6h1oawDLcSQkFXaSbk6UG8qhLxH2frLbMUvZj-GMrrJHldGEN8KWTRo9dgcvpvvD7RpvJF6Kuu4t-HDB9MP-F4usHIleKxd_Lg-hk/s1600/140303-_MG_2537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvX8Y1wNcorSjDYIZUYFpYBP5RF0XU61ldHncph6h1oawDLcSQkFXaSbk6UG8qhLxH2frLbMUvZj-GMrrJHldGEN8KWTRo9dgcvpvvD7RpvJF6Kuu4t-HDB9MP-F4usHIleKxd_Lg-hk/s400/140303-_MG_2537.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flock of Black-faced Spoonbills resting at one of the ponds inside the park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m0oa3tzrKxqpT4gsWsXIrECZVYqogUXt36j4soUb5lJpbA7XzX4Jcn9Uv894RdvoxjNB0b0p-Kff0FYQGTxgLSr_gvBjg-XTHtdtZbXmsKxt4COdIeoc7J5zGgCA7NXf1B-PdT9z8v8/s1600/_MG_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m0oa3tzrKxqpT4gsWsXIrECZVYqogUXt36j4soUb5lJpbA7XzX4Jcn9Uv894RdvoxjNB0b0p-Kff0FYQGTxgLSr_gvBjg-XTHtdtZbXmsKxt4COdIeoc7J5zGgCA7NXf1B-PdT9z8v8/s400/_MG_0139.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
An educational exhibit about mudskippers and crabs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the Wetlands Discovery Centre.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA7mhNwAts5plf4JpP1VmQU21YyiZNsrEwrgG7j-jBwxtUmysXeD-uNdJ1Qye6vPOGqiwa5Wxl-UXFt1sbHf2bTzjmPi4daRZ2WyqYxwZ5_JWJEm_2uPwQUeeuSHCulVz1G1c2dFDJSs/s1600/_MG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJA7mhNwAts5plf4JpP1VmQU21YyiZNsrEwrgG7j-jBwxtUmysXeD-uNdJ1Qye6vPOGqiwa5Wxl-UXFt1sbHf2bTzjmPi4daRZ2WyqYxwZ5_JWJEm_2uPwQUeeuSHCulVz1G1c2dFDJSs/s400/_MG_0146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Job's Tears. An important source of food and folk medicine in Asia<br />
and grows in wetlands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NimZn_lXaIoqkfdJpBbd4KMt2nsYUQu0BC7mm_X8yw_w9Ra5CcbGpX98PbVc-yyqWqQsg0-SQdKcDO7QI1RAgwvCZVMcQLddMywJoQx-9XSNxfjTGWX_MyU6hGLlFpU2cy_zC7P6cDA/s1600/_MG_0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NimZn_lXaIoqkfdJpBbd4KMt2nsYUQu0BC7mm_X8yw_w9Ra5CcbGpX98PbVc-yyqWqQsg0-SQdKcDO7QI1RAgwvCZVMcQLddMywJoQx-9XSNxfjTGWX_MyU6hGLlFpU2cy_zC7P6cDA/s400/_MG_0211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the several boardwalks at the park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeOKFVZ6KooajDLLLR-FTOq4NKWLOP522NuOsA0xFDMcYcjNoVOhlDmij8C-ShTdmh3A-ZVd4sHH_txHHlvqhlpr-FQ8bBjS62UeLak7nUXLdcXQwQRHsPlwj80a1MAOGNWPhsIMYlFc/s1600/_MG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeOKFVZ6KooajDLLLR-FTOq4NKWLOP522NuOsA0xFDMcYcjNoVOhlDmij8C-ShTdmh3A-ZVd4sHH_txHHlvqhlpr-FQ8bBjS62UeLak7nUXLdcXQwQRHsPlwj80a1MAOGNWPhsIMYlFc/s400/_MG_0205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bird hide (far right) for birdwatchers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzmYUHa5Mgh38HscYeyuBQUo_v_PyFpk-r_1RXLGNIeBMV3wiPOy6OUnXSC8Fdu-4HDGULhyphenhyphenU2Jg5xsAtC8KgZGZwjJ58TK_JAxtIXHSqPQos5oov2qmQhy2HvMakeNjftj8Ww5Fif_0/s1600/_MG_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzmYUHa5Mgh38HscYeyuBQUo_v_PyFpk-r_1RXLGNIeBMV3wiPOy6OUnXSC8Fdu-4HDGULhyphenhyphenU2Jg5xsAtC8KgZGZwjJ58TK_JAxtIXHSqPQos5oov2qmQhy2HvMakeNjftj8Ww5Fif_0/s400/_MG_0165.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographers and birdwatchers come early to grab good seats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirILehqFdpM2EwA5gln4JLL4T0hyRrkvrUQQ8wHg2QYHj7HN-w46e0qGk_P_-fun9WDPIrNxdMfWQuiYsKPex12BG32BDAkYwI2rTXa6V3Py22fnfWR2zErxUQFA1ZdGQDr5znRdZKyHc/s1600/_MG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirILehqFdpM2EwA5gln4JLL4T0hyRrkvrUQQ8wHg2QYHj7HN-w46e0qGk_P_-fun9WDPIrNxdMfWQuiYsKPex12BG32BDAkYwI2rTXa6V3Py22fnfWR2zErxUQFA1ZdGQDr5znRdZKyHc/s400/_MG_0179.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Fishpond Hide. The city in the distance is Shenzhen.</td></tr>
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<b>How to get there</b><br />
<br />
Depending on where you stay, there are several ways to get to the park. I would normally take the MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station, and board the light rail LRT705 to Tin Shau Station or Wetland Park Station. I prefer to alight at Tin Shau Station because there is a tunnel which brings you right up to the main entrance. For other transportation methods, please check the <a href="http://www.wetlandpark.gov.hk/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hong Kong Wetland Park</a> site.<br />
<br />
<b>Admission</b><br />
<br />
There is an <a href="http://www.wetlandpark.gov.hk/en/information/ticketing.asp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">admission fee</a> and please take note that the park is closed on Tuesdays except on public holidays. Opening hours are from 10am to 5pm.<br />
<br />
<b>Tip:</b> If you wish to see mudskippers at the Mangrove Boardwalk, visit during the low tide hours. If you wish to see waterbirds or migratory shorebirds, it is best to visit when the tide is going up. You can easily google for web sites which give you the tide tables.<br />
<br />
Wear comfortable clothing and bring lots of drinking water. If you are there for an entire day, there is a cafe at the Visitor Centre which serves good and affordable food.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your trip and take lots of nice photos!<br />
<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-64441242451697504902015-06-23T16:16:00.001+08:002015-09-09T16:35:22.992+08:00HK Nature Walk - Sai Kung High Island Reservoir Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For many years, I associated Hong Kong with only shopping and good food. After a short visit in 1991, I passed over Hong Kong in favour of other Asian holiday destinations because it was too 'similar' to Singapore and there was probably 'not much to see'.<br />
<br />
<i>I take my words back</i>. My sister moved to Hong Kong in 2013. My first visit in November 2013 after so many years changed my mind about the place. It was still good for shopping and eating, and there were lots of walking and hiking trails too, not to mention a large nature reserve excellent for birdwatching.<br />
<br />
When I arrived at the airport, a Hong Kong Tourism Board booklet which says "Your Guide to Hiking and Cycling in Hong Kong" caught my eye. Hiking in Hong Kong? I was surprised. The book had trails of different difficulty levels all over the island and on the mainland. Since I wasn't one for shopping, I was thrilled.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydyAkPyJmkg_bkg9L9WgxfE0JKnLO41BOaCB444EeIRqDXMsYzlIYyP-2jf_qu2R2RQwOVg-P_cYTizHmKMZToQMmcWABXf4vjrAqT3FS5SCPCKgfmSKdm9R-PM8zxxP6mIK-4M3F0J8/s1600/IMG_20150623_140451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydyAkPyJmkg_bkg9L9WgxfE0JKnLO41BOaCB444EeIRqDXMsYzlIYyP-2jf_qu2R2RQwOVg-P_cYTizHmKMZToQMmcWABXf4vjrAqT3FS5SCPCKgfmSKdm9R-PM8zxxP6mIK-4M3F0J8/s320/IMG_20150623_140451.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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My sister and friends arranged for a weekend day hike to the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir at the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region, part of the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. The plan was to hike to the East Dam, have lunch, and then hike back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpjO0xJuHFwzqsaL9AcYM-kk6Z14c4d9ARVIspJhkQ-3vwES9MtV6IcucJeMZRKG5gOUQy0udsNZzl22jRR0791N8A3PGVdF_cDRPFG3G5SBY37_R8q9cMo4tDlFGagTH3QWaS-jnf4s/s1600/IMG_20131116_103354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpjO0xJuHFwzqsaL9AcYM-kk6Z14c4d9ARVIspJhkQ-3vwES9MtV6IcucJeMZRKG5gOUQy0udsNZzl22jRR0791N8A3PGVdF_cDRPFG3G5SBY37_R8q9cMo4tDlFGagTH3QWaS-jnf4s/s320/IMG_20131116_103354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take bus #94 from Saikung Town to the start of the trail<br />
near the reservoir. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoH423ElYvhDn8XWFN6Pqd1OXtA-GY7gPKhbW0uJ5TT6b2027Sm54NOyik9JePjxcf3SEh9bNa7z4Nyonk-d7MGrluIDIIH4dm0_Ckh_oK-akADWhYC0sCFjYEwOUXFqgiFchob9qis0/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_5126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoH423ElYvhDn8XWFN6Pqd1OXtA-GY7gPKhbW0uJ5TT6b2027Sm54NOyik9JePjxcf3SEh9bNa7z4Nyonk-d7MGrluIDIIH4dm0_Ckh_oK-akADWhYC0sCFjYEwOUXFqgiFchob9qis0/s320/hk-131116-IMG_5126.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk started UPHILL...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapmfrcFxs4q4AvtNX0mkcb3rtxtyqHnVBeVYPrs0vBqNAinoEpZiimt60TX18OtKXZD-nkGEhT3tPuJk6gcya_RNqJroDc3o1NJ7b5dK06_KEfHsgnMmJxPIdG_rsxvfdFDRY22EM0Qo/s1600/hkws-131116-P1040442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapmfrcFxs4q4AvtNX0mkcb3rtxtyqHnVBeVYPrs0vBqNAinoEpZiimt60TX18OtKXZD-nkGEhT3tPuJk6gcya_RNqJroDc3o1NJ7b5dK06_KEfHsgnMmJxPIdG_rsxvfdFDRY22EM0Qo/s320/hkws-131116-P1040442.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting point. This is part of the MacLehose Trail.<br />
This trail is the oldest and longest, running 100km east-west<br />
through the New Territories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogdv4j-OJBQz8FM9cqDaDpdTJhWkQn3hMObQZsgTNYpF6FpFzFst7012Sj1_nbCeijamXR4s_znu-7VoVRMNrvtpGHFNIG0gCk2GJXY3TNMgp32rvw_ei1Q6vpa66H0ZYRJYh46PnlFQ/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogdv4j-OJBQz8FM9cqDaDpdTJhWkQn3hMObQZsgTNYpF6FpFzFst7012Sj1_nbCeijamXR4s_znu-7VoVRMNrvtpGHFNIG0gCk2GJXY3TNMgp32rvw_ei1Q6vpa66H0ZYRJYh46PnlFQ/s320/hk-131116-IMG_5128.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cow dung - quite a common sight along the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1n71F0e1wjsATS9dDjMX4BNGMCnZ04Lpp2l3rd3bNvPlWJxWjViFqk706m9v-1Kwjwbwz2COSGvbzOJff9YUHWNekmA1RzVaUDYqvdXAme-3P7cHq4dYyUsaLRZmgxB-WLAKPxEdRGI/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_5129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1n71F0e1wjsATS9dDjMX4BNGMCnZ04Lpp2l3rd3bNvPlWJxWjViFqk706m9v-1Kwjwbwz2COSGvbzOJff9YUHWNekmA1RzVaUDYqvdXAme-3P7cHq4dYyUsaLRZmgxB-WLAKPxEdRGI/s320/hk-131116-IMG_5129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Island Reservoir. Our destination, East Dam,<br />
was located between the leftmost 2 peaks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6eaNiGQY9HyGudxdkNPokDUiQBYTqA-s4SWouh-EcdoLR2FVVg6n-qjcqoAk8K2PHzxpsOdJZkABIXIu1DHt25XtLko2Igu0uzB9bbYLvPf9GrRm2tgKgrEYwFQaU-vTozRsjYVeaE/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_5151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEu6eaNiGQY9HyGudxdkNPokDUiQBYTqA-s4SWouh-EcdoLR2FVVg6n-qjcqoAk8K2PHzxpsOdJZkABIXIu1DHt25XtLko2Igu0uzB9bbYLvPf9GrRm2tgKgrEYwFQaU-vTozRsjYVeaE/s320/hk-131116-IMG_5151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This reservoir was built in the 70s. It was the biggest in the city. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9-tGVyN_41Aehd4Jdyt16rP4od3Nw8PDbEgyk6aQhU0U3iA_YZZ8NoxV3E7fcZHFdwaUOYOXOEH8gEYRbydSbzyxDvL7-r8-dVc_q77Vy7h0qNgIPk1vtNp94XK1iWv5B-43qXLMyls/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_5168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9-tGVyN_41Aehd4Jdyt16rP4od3Nw8PDbEgyk6aQhU0U3iA_YZZ8NoxV3E7fcZHFdwaUOYOXOEH8gEYRbydSbzyxDvL7-r8-dVc_q77Vy7h0qNgIPk1vtNp94XK1iWv5B-43qXLMyls/s320/hk-131116-IMG_5168.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally at the East Dam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDuVafXXcbImFFrhkVFJZqX8jEPJGShsRX0QasLZ5WcsNcr6R9CLlD3Kr7YkhEHXR7urfyezIT8nQmQ_nFrSu4_tLEQRbhYGt8IkS2SEeqHk_Seq22vztXm6rP0SchQY7W3f8SEYJXzA/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_0196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDuVafXXcbImFFrhkVFJZqX8jEPJGShsRX0QasLZ5WcsNcr6R9CLlD3Kr7YkhEHXR7urfyezIT8nQmQ_nFrSu4_tLEQRbhYGt8IkS2SEeqHk_Seq22vztXm6rP0SchQY7W3f8SEYJXzA/s320/hk-131116-IMG_0196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volcanic rock in this region was hundreds of<br />
millions of years old. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPcin-V4PaCStRiwXWUK9TE-jglIffTWPX4CGQX6kKDAEy_sjc39nHsOnUQIZmsgH33P0FEsLouw1GTM0JKv21WcEnbJPCsyK_nmlMVl2VvZCxcsn6hcScgXothkmlVpBIWffiaX8IXU/s1600/hk-131116-IMG_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPcin-V4PaCStRiwXWUK9TE-jglIffTWPX4CGQX6kKDAEy_sjc39nHsOnUQIZmsgH33P0FEsLouw1GTM0JKv21WcEnbJPCsyK_nmlMVl2VvZCxcsn6hcScgXothkmlVpBIWffiaX8IXU/s320/hk-131116-IMG_0205.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long Ke Wan. We went over the hill after the East Dam<br />
and found a lovely and quiet beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The entire walk was supposed to take about 5 hours. But we took too much time taking photographs along the way and took about 4 hours to arrive at the East Dam! It would be nightfall if we were to hike out again and we were too tired.<br />
<br />
<b>Tip</b>: Call for the green taxis of New Territories. Make sure you take note of the telephone numbers of the Green Taxi companies when you are in Saikung Town. They can drive all the way to the East Dam to pick you up, or send you there.<br />
<br />
Some of my friends had seafood at Saikung Town to reward themselves after the long walk. The rest of us went back to town for a feast. Walk more to eat more!<br />
<br />
Look out for more articles on outdoor Hong Kong!<br />
<br />Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-91965383934848422652015-03-29T20:35:00.003+08:002021-10-16T09:57:27.765+08:00Life cycle of the Oleander Hawkmoth (Daphnis nerii)My aunt has several Desert Rose (<i>Adenium obesum</i>) plants in her garden. When I realised there were Oleander Hawkmoth (<i>Daphnis nerii</i>) caterpillars feeding on them, I decided to observe and keep a photographic record of the different stages of their lives and their activities.<br />
<br />
Having them in an easily accessible place not too far from home was very convenient for me. I visited the plants every few days to take snapshots, hoping to eventually capture the winged adult emerging from the pupal case.<br />
<br />
The photos in this post were not of the same individual. They were taken over a few months. As a newbie to butterflies and hawkmoths at that time, it did not cross my mind that birds and other animals would prey on the subjects I was photographing. Some of the caterpillars died when they were a few days old, other bigger ones just disappeared. But I was very happy to have witnessed a few of them turn into adults.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVcS7vADrQyjU-yfgoYAPeDrvT7LUPPVvL08IiUPdLWmjFCF2zf_I2TW1STzR-Dv87IYADsB5HxIlJP4BRuWBLgSyukHclAnW2drzKdJACOUitPpBX1inKj9gphMMcOQAIyMXKGFli-c/s1600/101024-_MG_5751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVcS7vADrQyjU-yfgoYAPeDrvT7LUPPVvL08IiUPdLWmjFCF2zf_I2TW1STzR-Dv87IYADsB5HxIlJP4BRuWBLgSyukHclAnW2drzKdJACOUitPpBX1inKj9gphMMcOQAIyMXKGFli-c/s1600/101024-_MG_5751.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 1</b>. Eggs were laid mostly singly on the underside of<br />
leaves and flowers of the host plant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE48HQPd4uRDtaU_9TZpUfKnjqntjJPVi36gu5_WP6wvMqCbWHhn7Xo_sBG-SYs4fT6GgR54QBaRCRME13AL9ZenjunIDsKr1ATY_7zBRxe6LHvAJg1ztd5OmjFjVTCqxgDu3emzLk52k/s1600/101028-_MG_5919.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE48HQPd4uRDtaU_9TZpUfKnjqntjJPVi36gu5_WP6wvMqCbWHhn7Xo_sBG-SYs4fT6GgR54QBaRCRME13AL9ZenjunIDsKr1ATY_7zBRxe6LHvAJg1ztd5OmjFjVTCqxgDu3emzLk52k/s1600/101028-_MG_5919.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 4~5</b>. The very young caterpillars ate the flowers too!<br />
At least 50% of them do not make it past this stage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumZDlmCx3DEUmNYNs5kyTGrQ18jVU45Fk5hFMsY5cy9T5wwZetgelBBO493Fpxejmc_sNbCIoPCyMe3kbnn17oa3QiXUH26ocShmtqZPYSF6U7YgQqY6cKbHtudx3Zwmzb0gvAGTzuHE/s1600/101028-_MG_5914.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumZDlmCx3DEUmNYNs5kyTGrQ18jVU45Fk5hFMsY5cy9T5wwZetgelBBO493Fpxejmc_sNbCIoPCyMe3kbnn17oa3QiXUH26ocShmtqZPYSF6U7YgQqY6cKbHtudx3Zwmzb0gvAGTzuHE/s1600/101028-_MG_5914.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 5~6</b>. Most hawkmoth caterpillars have a horn at the<br />
rear end. It was still thin and long at this stage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvd70AGxTUh6oXDJAN7bDvgBUpQrG2zUjkH-hp-A37Kpxx8Bel3v-MHkrVSq_z04AeEBcIMicv8D8ZcHvqOC_PwOplEjaUSNXY-FSROpSWq9JJKoM0PiQcQbT5zQCgFRmrNwbIPihrYE/s1600/150214-_MG_5967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvd70AGxTUh6oXDJAN7bDvgBUpQrG2zUjkH-hp-A37Kpxx8Bel3v-MHkrVSq_z04AeEBcIMicv8D8ZcHvqOC_PwOplEjaUSNXY-FSROpSWq9JJKoM0PiQcQbT5zQCgFRmrNwbIPihrYE/s1600/150214-_MG_5967.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 11</b>. As it grew, the eyespots near the head became<br />
more prominent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf42RKR_u1jm4rG3WckWhG9yCVCce0tFSyjnx_lxq1UnQZqbplDOSRPY20r7kUq7PnwwiKAG-NKXS-3zXdUUm76AHRgZoi6AWDDyOAapRPb77k86E0DFcXmOQgjVc4WBRHS6nhuYCOiE/s1600/100907-_MG_4074.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf42RKR_u1jm4rG3WckWhG9yCVCce0tFSyjnx_lxq1UnQZqbplDOSRPY20r7kUq7PnwwiKAG-NKXS-3zXdUUm76AHRgZoi6AWDDyOAapRPb77k86E0DFcXmOQgjVc4WBRHS6nhuYCOiE/s1600/100907-_MG_4074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 15~16</b>. Notice how the thin and long tail had become a<br />
bulbous stump. The folds of skin on the body allowed for<br />
growth. At this stage, it was about 7 to 8cm long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEOKV8TfdOyEi8hco3vod4Cmbj5_M_x89Nn7dJa_QrBi6nzCMSLkIO24UPe4b_cp-MDd-Nh5oMoJ9o_mEeZo19wfnrzK1mxpIfJ8KZb2qNT6lQ0y-LDB79BiB_NaZoHfP3Z15Yv7mV0k/s1600/100909-_MG_4290.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEOKV8TfdOyEi8hco3vod4Cmbj5_M_x89Nn7dJa_QrBi6nzCMSLkIO24UPe4b_cp-MDd-Nh5oMoJ9o_mEeZo19wfnrzK1mxpIfJ8KZb2qNT6lQ0y-LDB79BiB_NaZoHfP3Z15Yv7mV0k/s1600/100909-_MG_4290.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caterpillars have tiny hooks at the base of the so-called false<br />
legs. They help the caterpillar in walking and climbing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0tz79kimPLOOVW1i_5Hfhw5p7rw60QbgnqD-fg2BFQzedsoWpqUKp41zjGtMJIUF65cl5bewl-Zqb7AOmgRnjilMecuI-zC1hivt0qnJ2OhbptTsXuivs6Vh6NEi9b40mQ39DOmBCwQ/s1600/100908-_MG_4189.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0tz79kimPLOOVW1i_5Hfhw5p7rw60QbgnqD-fg2BFQzedsoWpqUKp41zjGtMJIUF65cl5bewl-Zqb7AOmgRnjilMecuI-zC1hivt0qnJ2OhbptTsXuivs6Vh6NEi9b40mQ39DOmBCwQ/s1600/100908-_MG_4189.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caterpillar poop. Every single piece has the same structure,<br />
regardless of size.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL7jIcvSIA5rWzcbPLPZVQ3FIpltEktrq0tIoWVAVrNOYLgkSQCGWAxQe6iSien9MGKUaOSOPnh4R2mlBGoD9YYnhhdUCzFbiHRXWj7dCpbHOsUR7Jkq7UHGxwHKwLdo6xLQY3X6T6ZE/s1600/100908-_MG_4249.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL7jIcvSIA5rWzcbPLPZVQ3FIpltEktrq0tIoWVAVrNOYLgkSQCGWAxQe6iSien9MGKUaOSOPnh4R2mlBGoD9YYnhhdUCzFbiHRXWj7dCpbHOsUR7Jkq7UHGxwHKwLdo6xLQY3X6T6ZE/s1600/100908-_MG_4249.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 17~19</b>. It had grown to about 10cm and was very round<br />
and fat. It was an eating machine, consuming about 1 leaf<br />
every 25 minutes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGldSrd5Qv2c_gFeX874ScqzWXWDvX3NhWu4ekrXKUD1h_j1QLeDc-40LtnXAS5eRjYzVLZdaX1TPzkR0aB7105caKx9hjf3OM6pPrKjGN_3pMUBqRW7OXaEZ-kIPftjaGU0u2MBKgp0s/s1600/100911-_MG_4495.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGldSrd5Qv2c_gFeX874ScqzWXWDvX3NhWu4ekrXKUD1h_j1QLeDc-40LtnXAS5eRjYzVLZdaX1TPzkR0aB7105caKx9hjf3OM6pPrKjGN_3pMUBqRW7OXaEZ-kIPftjaGU0u2MBKgp0s/s1600/100911-_MG_4495.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 20</b>. When ready to pupate, it looked for a safe hiding<br />
place among the leaf debris at the base of the plant. The body<br />
started to shrink. Unlike butterflies, moths would spin silk<br />
around themselves before transforming into a pupa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgB7Vv-6A-jvbvhuSTvOi-c9lBluvQPZWwu2-EdKSxUX5ELXyNs6-xDrUn8dkcMUPBHD5ig46kRExna7tI6ox4j8X8QSCpGcTAp6_43vNzRNPkgYkMaod_XKUILQkhJk7IgkejSqln7o/s1600/100918-_MG_4809.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgB7Vv-6A-jvbvhuSTvOi-c9lBluvQPZWwu2-EdKSxUX5ELXyNs6-xDrUn8dkcMUPBHD5ig46kRExna7tI6ox4j8X8QSCpGcTAp6_43vNzRNPkgYkMaod_XKUILQkhJk7IgkejSqln7o/s1600/100918-_MG_4809.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 23</b>. Pupation was complete. The pupa would wriggle<br />
violently if touched.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdsOP8s5rr_DjlTzYagsVBWwgZfFhLIlnW9f5tKeOcirBxaqEuP1BUZW3pzaen0wknFe-DY7l6PLaSjwvzG3EZ0cdwTainyFj0GL-z3ywteFE5g5rixd4O2De-WripoFIfNgD87cBqPM/s1600/100918-_MG_4812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdsOP8s5rr_DjlTzYagsVBWwgZfFhLIlnW9f5tKeOcirBxaqEuP1BUZW3pzaen0wknFe-DY7l6PLaSjwvzG3EZ0cdwTainyFj0GL-z3ywteFE5g5rixd4O2De-WripoFIfNgD87cBqPM/s1600/100918-_MG_4812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6E2p8zhMBFkGCbuB2YE8qY-u91DCwqy2qtC2zMib3eFBJK9GGpCla6suDk1YjsBUVdeMVYqL6xpgpjueEHwdJPPVo70des6tzZQBhIEHE-sjL12vN8xGX8DQcv-BnehVPUAr_ecEQvPg/s1600/100923-_MG_4911.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6E2p8zhMBFkGCbuB2YE8qY-u91DCwqy2qtC2zMib3eFBJK9GGpCla6suDk1YjsBUVdeMVYqL6xpgpjueEHwdJPPVo70des6tzZQBhIEHE-sjL12vN8xGX8DQcv-BnehVPUAr_ecEQvPg/s1600/100923-_MG_4911.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 32</b>. The pupal case had darkened, especially the wing<br />
case. The patterns of the wings can be seen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiECevK9D_2gapfJ_XoHKsPoz3NIMcaudk2hS96yFRzgfOtj4ugYMwtNhvZgG1Roa5ivvJfBOOdd23mu-XuXx3GoKyKjwPKafIqzT7zdQ04E7_t2I9FvHFiFvI-PbMb5Pyw7_FJLZChQ4/s1600/101013-_MG_5577.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiECevK9D_2gapfJ_XoHKsPoz3NIMcaudk2hS96yFRzgfOtj4ugYMwtNhvZgG1Roa5ivvJfBOOdd23mu-XuXx3GoKyKjwPKafIqzT7zdQ04E7_t2I9FvHFiFvI-PbMb5Pyw7_FJLZChQ4/s1600/101013-_MG_5577.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Day 33</b>. The adult emerged from the pupal case.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd52j9vbZAMC5fs_Qc3QYyCUQtVYw9MPm55NSkWzN3ILX2BZ_I3aQo2SUlIrdunXHLphZsFs4mJulLViYdup2iJ2NOo2v47y_niCkwzNaOni9HwnRfRE7RYP9y0RfvHoNHmk-RGw1p8Fk/s1600/101013-_MG_5579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd52j9vbZAMC5fs_Qc3QYyCUQtVYw9MPm55NSkWzN3ILX2BZ_I3aQo2SUlIrdunXHLphZsFs4mJulLViYdup2iJ2NOo2v47y_niCkwzNaOni9HwnRfRE7RYP9y0RfvHoNHmk-RGw1p8Fk/s1600/101013-_MG_5579.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It immediately climbed up the plant. It was out of the case<br />
and up the plant in less than 2 minutes. The wings were<br />
small and wet and it was not ready to fly yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Qr2QQKr9MMrJBVDeSuzCvv5oyuMmcSFIQAtFlkbSnvEhpT27ASZgu5xAJMy9Y0rELBnzLhC-QsWOBRa6I6kRb1FeXDtc8vFsbwbzwTpfZCAalMwbZhqh0y0jgkYieyD6wNvx7v8tczA/s1600/101014-_MG_5634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Qr2QQKr9MMrJBVDeSuzCvv5oyuMmcSFIQAtFlkbSnvEhpT27ASZgu5xAJMy9Y0rELBnzLhC-QsWOBRa6I6kRb1FeXDtc8vFsbwbzwTpfZCAalMwbZhqh0y0jgkYieyD6wNvx7v8tczA/s1600/101014-_MG_5634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took about 45 minutes for the wings to be fully pumped<br />
with fluids. It stayed like this for another 4 hours before I<br />
decided to call it a day. It was gone the next morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-zgwxNzr8WlyQgs6vQ40vY61yncVvfnpLnm1vjpxL2U9dfN6boN64-I29bPKpBHBREH7MyJE8c0QeUtGqLA1XMU2cykuyawh1kX1PwWEukLlSc8ZvCbMoHaLP0QDKb4iyJtr7xZEBvY/s1600/101013-_MG_5592.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-zgwxNzr8WlyQgs6vQ40vY61yncVvfnpLnm1vjpxL2U9dfN6boN64-I29bPKpBHBREH7MyJE8c0QeUtGqLA1XMU2cykuyawh1kX1PwWEukLlSc8ZvCbMoHaLP0QDKb4iyJtr7xZEBvY/s1600/101013-_MG_5592.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milky liquid left in the pupal case.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>
<br />
<b><i>Hint</i>: </b>To witness this amazing metamorphosis,<br />
<br />
1. you must be willing to sacrifice the looks of your plants. The caterpillars eat a lot and can make your plants go bald by the time they turn into pupae. However, you will be well rewarded with softer new leaves very quickly.<br />
<br />
2. it is advisable to throw a mesh or something similar over your plants to prevent the caterpillars from becoming bird food. In my case, I secure the base too to prevent nocturnal predators from climbing up the plant because I have had pupae disappear too!</p><p><b>UPDATE</b></p><p>Thanks to a reader of this post, Klaus Schoenwiese, I got to know of a North American species which looks very similar to this moth. At first glance, you would have thought that they were the same.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYqtrfhVDLqVmZg5PFGMmfGfz2FqImlfQaNpQ6alQoENWZo96w2bw200gVuTNORtzQQ8FKC-pp-2Sjt9lAHVcuqEm0WPUWPiq1R-kSKBBLbXKl9OnUzrA-EhYqxvSw6QpszEIJWFDTUk/s510/0F38A31377334133A20F565BF75F98AD.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="510" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYqtrfhVDLqVmZg5PFGMmfGfz2FqImlfQaNpQ6alQoENWZo96w2bw200gVuTNORtzQQ8FKC-pp-2Sjt9lAHVcuqEm0WPUWPiq1R-kSKBBLbXKl9OnUzrA-EhYqxvSw6QpszEIJWFDTUk/s320/0F38A31377334133A20F565BF75F98AD.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pandora Spinx moth in NY. Photo taken by Klaus Schoenwiese.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This one does not have the dark banding and spot on the edge of the wings nearest to the head. Thank you, Klaus!<br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-60117440343790021782015-02-16T01:14:00.002+08:002019-09-25T17:04:46.550+08:00Gardens by the BayOccupying approximately 101 hectares of prime waterfront real estate in the Marina Bay area, Gardens by the Bay is part of Singapore's vision to be a City in a Garden. Bay South Gardens, Bay East and Bay Central make up the entire garden, and the most popular section is Bay South Gardens, where you can see the 2 conspicuous conservatories - Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, and the 18 Supertrees.<br />
<br />
Contrary to what glasshouses (greenhouses) are normally used for, which is to keep plants warm, these 2 conservatories are to keep the plants cool.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-rnL_9iNyKVYpocPs_B_Xs0B0fY6zOCfmBGf2cMg423vKjVPdT2ZdlKf5zWMY5LoHgfDEaAHDBxQ8nDVEG6oMtDXwastFklF7HqAQezGXmXHCt_ge5Hf28Ou6XvLgnXrXluaNlFjvx0/s1600/150215-_MG_2524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-rnL_9iNyKVYpocPs_B_Xs0B0fY6zOCfmBGf2cMg423vKjVPdT2ZdlKf5zWMY5LoHgfDEaAHDBxQ8nDVEG6oMtDXwastFklF7HqAQezGXmXHCt_ge5Hf28Ou6XvLgnXrXluaNlFjvx0/s1600/150215-_MG_2524.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cooled conservatories - Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1194894836"></span><br />
<h3>
Flower Dome</h3>
<div>
When you enter the Flower Dome, the first thing that comes to mind is the space. It is very, very spacious. At the time of this writing, it is the largest glasshouse in the world. What is most amazing about the design is there are no internal columns supporting the structure!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The dome replicates the cool and dry Mediterranean climate of regions such as western and southern Australia, South Africa, central Chile, California and the Mediterranean Basin. You will see collections of plants from different corners of the world, including a thousand year-old olive tree. Also doing well in this climate are the baobabs and succulents.</div>
<div>
<br />
<i>Tip</i>: Walk to the end of the Baobab garden where you can see a driftwood sculpture of a wyvern (<i>not</i> a dragon!). You have an aerial view of the entire gardens below.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqvNRou0oQcJSXoQSh42PrIJQTDsEyB7tHTIeDaRVttPHs7vKxOXhaj_B6W57PEGAVGH83lNxk3g9OCSB2X3A4y-DB1DNn3giWKQMTgtvtmMSNY0WEK3pZ3qKpQqjQpFnzBLCI0kXIUE/s1600/140809-_MG_4252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqvNRou0oQcJSXoQSh42PrIJQTDsEyB7tHTIeDaRVttPHs7vKxOXhaj_B6W57PEGAVGH83lNxk3g9OCSB2X3A4y-DB1DNn3giWKQMTgtvtmMSNY0WEK3pZ3qKpQqjQpFnzBLCI0kXIUE/s1600/140809-_MG_4252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No internal columns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs15Ow88ibJK9-vf7ZQoki4GZ9ZJoA8dFVsjpFChayAd5qeDA8FNAQS4N1OtY7APgh7912eonm1hzOmyFloXIqLNNag6Bu_H9KyOCof-2ZWruxy9ycDR3IQOSgMRGXjYEcvlgOP5QLcn0/s1600/140620-IMG_20140620_130711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs15Ow88ibJK9-vf7ZQoki4GZ9ZJoA8dFVsjpFChayAd5qeDA8FNAQS4N1OtY7APgh7912eonm1hzOmyFloXIqLNNag6Bu_H9KyOCof-2ZWruxy9ycDR3IQOSgMRGXjYEcvlgOP5QLcn0/s1600/140620-IMG_20140620_130711.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flower Field display theme changes<br />
every few months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0flh6EuLzZOiOp-WDHGl7WzggJYPj_sIDNzw1r4bch2UV39nukUGei26BJIvLy4BeHdR7BGrttMTkLxv7hO3BA8-adq0YwfANy-kXU5_KAkxii23_BG72o0PiayV8oXRk9lvr4Laq7wE/s1600/140417-_MG_3327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0flh6EuLzZOiOp-WDHGl7WzggJYPj_sIDNzw1r4bch2UV39nukUGei26BJIvLy4BeHdR7BGrttMTkLxv7hO3BA8-adq0YwfANy-kXU5_KAkxii23_BG72o0PiayV8oXRk9lvr4Laq7wE/s1600/140417-_MG_3327.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Field display for Tulipmania.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Cloud Forest</h3>
While the Flower Dome replicates the cool and dry Mediterranean climate, this dome replicates the cool and moist mountainous tropical rainforest climate. When you enter the dome, you will be greeted by the world's tallest indoor waterfall.<br />
<br />
Cloud forests are found near the Equator and they must be at least 1000m above sea-level. Less than 2.5% of tropical rainforests are cloud forests and they are very rare. Many are relatively unexplored, and scientists are still discovering new species of plants and animals in such forests.<br />
<br />
After the waterfall, make your way to the Lost World, which is the top of the 'mountain' inside the dome. As you descend the 'mountain', you can see different kinds of plants planted on the sides as well as views of the outdoor garden and surroundings.<br />
<br />
<i>Tip</i>: Try to time your visit to the Cloud Forest at 10am, 12noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm or 8pm. Mist is released at these timings to make the 'mountain' look misty and foggy. If you are very lucky, you may even see a rainbow when the late afternoon sun shines on the waterfall.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_SUsWqcX4DKBIL7O61d_xijCdvrukUey8-HSqf7kqLhadyIjCKinIf2W7fpVew21CuR-454OJghy7LNFXkElw3pB7hS_X6QvpNTUCtyT2LT6KaOzQ_zmWpwO0rVzEavzP6Trlc8Gcuc/s1600/150208-_MG_5913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_SUsWqcX4DKBIL7O61d_xijCdvrukUey8-HSqf7kqLhadyIjCKinIf2W7fpVew21CuR-454OJghy7LNFXkElw3pB7hS_X6QvpNTUCtyT2LT6KaOzQ_zmWpwO0rVzEavzP6Trlc8Gcuc/s1600/150208-_MG_5913.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's tallest indoor waterfall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBgLCK2z3TBnuh4XaeUPQrDFOA8jaKD9yTzEPlwu2-GrC9gFqHAefvqRNzBauk6f8-4lvLPz1e7qBmRDiW5zy_wJGRux2I4hkLSNl5rcegE8XckjdechemFpevWkvp8Ikd6G0Gen3w_o/s1600/150208-_MG_5939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBgLCK2z3TBnuh4XaeUPQrDFOA8jaKD9yTzEPlwu2-GrC9gFqHAefvqRNzBauk6f8-4lvLPz1e7qBmRDiW5zy_wJGRux2I4hkLSNl5rcegE8XckjdechemFpevWkvp8Ikd6G0Gen3w_o/s1600/150208-_MG_5939.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud Walk, which leads you down the 'mountain'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbucETJAFQleZkNf7GeaJhaynl7BxEKwKQAvmDM52zthXXDPY4U_FkihZN5mzKcD97MNfnwMD9U34iQWyGcmm9xotNR7NRAhJJyyVxwPwqW2HoEW1up9ucw0ef4mZZ6LeB7xU_MjnS0ys/s1600/140926-_MG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbucETJAFQleZkNf7GeaJhaynl7BxEKwKQAvmDM52zthXXDPY4U_FkihZN5mzKcD97MNfnwMD9U34iQWyGcmm9xotNR7NRAhJJyyVxwPwqW2HoEW1up9ucw0ef4mZZ6LeB7xU_MjnS0ys/s1600/140926-_MG_4837.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady's Slipper Orchid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway</h3>
If you do not wish to leave the gardens without taking a picture of the 2 domes together with some of the Supertrees, then you should head over to the OCBC Skyway at the Supertree Grove. You get to walk from one Supertree to another via a walkway 22m above the ground.<br />
<br />
Not only do you get an aerial view of the gardens, you get excellent views of the Marina Bay area and central business district.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUORwoLPjc0Iguc2LM0DVElOoXlOaSDwzqWXptYOB5eWTqiOavb2kJdsfAI33HrhnUHwt_ebPQVcvnN_AH61MmqSg9MMKoEkF8jH5_ROfsyEMRMv_dNHDAHnJwzw1NdmvW21TOeZR7v-I/s1600/140123-_MG_1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUORwoLPjc0Iguc2LM0DVElOoXlOaSDwzqWXptYOB5eWTqiOavb2kJdsfAI33HrhnUHwt_ebPQVcvnN_AH61MmqSg9MMKoEkF8jH5_ROfsyEMRMv_dNHDAHnJwzw1NdmvW21TOeZR7v-I/s1600/140123-_MG_1111.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supertrees and the OCBC Skyway.</td></tr>
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There is an <a href="http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/plan-your-visit/visitor-information.html#!/hour-admission" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">admission fee</a> to the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest and OCBC Skyway. If you live in Singapore and will make multiple visits to the gardens, I highly recommend getting the Annual Pass, which is good value for your money.<br />
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<i>Tip</i>: The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are usually closed for maintenance every last Monday and Tuesday of each month. Please check the <a href="https://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/whats-on/announcements/closure-dates.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">maintenance schedule</a> at the official web site for details.</div>
Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-3263984985416541602015-01-23T23:50:00.004+08:002020-07-09T01:26:32.827+08:00Caravan Parks in Australia<div style="border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you enjoy self-driving holidays, try staying in a tourist/caravan park. Many of these parks are located in very nice locations, eg. next to a lake or river, and the views are really hard to beat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most units can take up to 6 persons and are ideal for families with kids. They also come with a kitchenette so you can do your own cooking. You have a choice of shared amenities or ensuite (with toilet and shower). Prices range from around AUD80 to 150 for ensuite units in most towns, which I think is great value for your money.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Photos below were taken at Lake Albert Caravan Park in Meningie, South Australia, during a recent road trip.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufnaiVpCJokl8x7BjQM5LReW-veTJ0WAnGFcDWtO4D1IfNIF9hJDx9UQVAslF4tRPmYrvbh8T5S5n9nEb4qF3BI3iORew41nZpkdvDCmslQdpS73HRQgCxVU02nWQpXl8uplIvI5rHy0/s1600/au2013-130715-_MG_8553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufnaiVpCJokl8x7BjQM5LReW-veTJ0WAnGFcDWtO4D1IfNIF9hJDx9UQVAslF4tRPmYrvbh8T5S5n9nEb4qF3BI3iORew41nZpkdvDCmslQdpS73HRQgCxVU02nWQpXl8uplIvI5rHy0/s400/au2013-130715-_MG_8553.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Lake Albert from the caravan park.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFSV1ZhdTE-Wqbvvce5k7IDMrAqSFwbDbcbr4n1B04tbTX67QfcaE5qFQIeefi_L5W3uzQsdrX2iYl9sBSs2VQot88SBxiizsm6-28W55lepFjRIL2NmzbASu1Nxrw82Ie3p9O7a3dM4/s1600/au2013-130715-_MG_8573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFSV1ZhdTE-Wqbvvce5k7IDMrAqSFwbDbcbr4n1B04tbTX67QfcaE5qFQIeefi_L5W3uzQsdrX2iYl9sBSs2VQot88SBxiizsm6-28W55lepFjRIL2NmzbASu1Nxrw82Ie3p9O7a3dM4/s400/au2013-130715-_MG_8573.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jetty next to the caravan park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6JkBpUVt_jqVN1QyA9xMRDfS1UcmFim5Mz22ejNCFgyYN2KE-mhhSuTm8byPNi6dVZ6HfcV3_3cOycq2N9n0sdrAdqVs1U2UutCgFKRgdqkVz82Q94T_zQZw2-lluHdTCRkmDpS2wq4/s1600/au2013-130715-_MG_8581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6JkBpUVt_jqVN1QyA9xMRDfS1UcmFim5Mz22ejNCFgyYN2KE-mhhSuTm8byPNi6dVZ6HfcV3_3cOycq2N9n0sdrAdqVs1U2UutCgFKRgdqkVz82Q94T_zQZw2-lluHdTCRkmDpS2wq4/s400/au2013-130715-_MG_8581.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many Australian Pelicans can be found at this lake because<br />
the nearby Coorong National Park has the largest breeding<br />
colony of AP in Australia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOhQhor1EA9W7lrAmtfMEVzml811xieRl8cNBwt1m0bq2gAicefqdUgYj8jFy6kTLcDJPJlavbwh_ePY3ZupTttezSKgrkpiPJ_HgVRqjO3sWiN3B0xLbADdhLkH7_NBDMYKfkiWIpCg/s1600/au2013-130715-_MG_8624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOhQhor1EA9W7lrAmtfMEVzml811xieRl8cNBwt1m0bq2gAicefqdUgYj8jFy6kTLcDJPJlavbwh_ePY3ZupTttezSKgrkpiPJ_HgVRqjO3sWiN3B0xLbADdhLkH7_NBDMYKfkiWIpCg/s400/au2013-130715-_MG_8624.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset photo taken just outside the cabin.</td></tr>
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Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-88420138918753248092012-04-11T01:16:00.007+08:002015-09-09T16:36:13.149+08:00DIY Canon TTL sync cord extensionNot wanting to burn a hole in my wallet with a pair of PocketWizards, RadioPoppers or some other brands, I have been thinking about an extra long TTL cord for my flash since I read about it in <a href="http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/">Joe McNally's</a> blog. In his blog, he said he used a 10m cable to fire his flash. Unlike most other brands, the cable he used was straight, not coiled, and was available online from some USA company.<br />
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A little bit of research online showed many DIY projects on this topic. Since the Canon Speedlite TTL cord uses 6 wires, many people have successfully used cat5e or cat6 networking cables to extend their cords. Since I was quite handy with electronic stuff, I decided to give this a try.<br />
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Items I bought from eBay:<br />
<ol>
<li>Yongnuo Canon TTL cord (0.9m), because I didn't want to cut up my original Canon</li>
<li>Cat5e RJ45 keystone wall jack plugs</li>
<li>Cat5e straight cable</li>
</ol>
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Other stuff you need:</div>
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<ol>
<li>Scissors or wire stripper </li>
<li>Punchdown tool [optional]</li>
<li>Pen knife</li>
<li>Duct tape</li>
<li>Multimeter</li>
</ol>
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The Yongnuo product was quite well made, although it was much cheaper than a Canon original. Anyway, just to be sure, I tested it. Next, I opened up both ends to make sure that there were only 6 wires because I read in a posting that some cords came with 8.</div>
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Luckily, the Yongnuo had only 6 wires. There were 2 black wires, where the thicker one is connected to the hot shoe base plate, probably to act as the ground wire. I also took this opportunity to identify the wire connections to the hotshoe plate, noting the colours.</div>
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I cut the wire not at the middle, but giving more length to the section that would be connected to the camera. I did not want the RJ45 jack to be hitting the lens barrel or the camera body. I stripped off the wire cover about 1 inch away from the cut end, taking care not to cut into the wire shield.</div>
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After peeling back the wire shield, I twisted it and that was the thicker black wire I saw earlier when I opened both hotshoe connectors. All I have to do now is to attach these wires to the RJ45 keystone wall plug.<br />
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The keystone jack has 8 pins and they are numbered at the sides. The coloured wires can be connected to the pins in any order. Just make sure that both sections of the sync cord follow the same order, for eg. red to pin 7, green to pin 8 and so on. Push the wires down, like above, to hold them in place. If you have a punchdown tool, use it to push the wires all the way down. If not, the back of a penknife cutter blade will also do. At this point, do not trim off the ends of the wires yet until you have tested the connection.<br />
<br />
If everything was done properly, connecting both TTL cords with a straight cat5e cable should do the job. My flash would not fire at the first attempt but was able to receive information when I changed the flash compensation or lens aperture. Not knowing which wire did the triggering, I had to check for continuity for all 6 pins on both cords. This can be done with a multimeter with the dial set to the speaker icon. If there is continuity, the meter will beep. It turned out one of my wires at the plug was not cut properly when inserted into the pin.<br />
<br />
Voila! I now have a TTL cord which can be extended as long as the signal strength allows. After trimming off the ends, I put the plug cover on and used duct tape to secure it in place. Can't wait to start using it :)<br />
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Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-80367441807368516512011-07-31T17:37:00.000+08:002015-09-09T16:36:36.414+08:00Search for Little Terns nestsThe Little Terns disappeared from Kallang Basin around mid June after the courtship behaviour in May. Thinking they may be nesting near the river, I went in search of suitable nesting sites along the river. The long walk from Kallang to Bishan via the Park Connector yielded nothing. Another walk to Macpherson Estate near the market also ended with nothing. However, a few terns were spotted flying out towards Kallang Basin, probably to feed. Could they be nesting somewhere further than Macpherson?<br />
<br />
In July, some photographers spotted a family of Little Terns at Lorong Halus Wetlands. They were feeding a chick. The family left around mid July. Could the terns at Kallang Basin have re-located to the Serangoon Reservoir because it was more suitable for nesting?Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-10892458246072057702011-05-29T22:18:00.003+08:002015-09-09T16:36:48.284+08:00Kallang to Bishan Park Connector walkA few friends and I decided to be adventurous over the weekend and we would walk from Kallang MRT to Bishan Park via the Park Connector. The distance indicated at the start of the walk was 6800m. "Oh... it wouldn't take very long. I can easily cover that kind of distance in 1 hour plus." said Hong. If we started early, we could easily be at Bishan for brunch with time to spare, or so we thought.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting point outside Kallang MRT.</td></tr>
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Keeping an eye on Little Terns along the way, I saw only 2 of them fly inland from Sir Arthur's Bridge. No luck again when I reached the posts. There were some aunties and uncles fishing there. Some were catching the fish for food, some to put into their aquariums, and some just for sport. I do not like fishing as a sport, even if the fish is released back into the waters. Most people use hooks, and what is the point of releasing the poor fish after injuring its mouth? This is so cruel. We humans tend to think of animals as not being capable of feeling pain, especially if they are the kind we eat.</div>
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The park connector brought us to Kolam Ayer, a block of HDB flats with their own waterfront park. I am sure the owners must be very happy to have these units at the higher end of HDB prices, but with a wonderful view of their surroundings.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kolam Ayer flats on the left and waterfront.</td></tr>
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After Kolam Ayer, we crossed the road over to the former National Aerated Water factory where they used to produce soda drinks like Sinalco. The trail, up to this point, was not difficult because NParks has placed markers at critical points to indicate direction. We had to walk away from the river near Moonstone Lane to cross the PIE using an overhead bridge. The trail continued along the river beside St Andrew's Junior College and St Andrew's Junior School. They have their own bridge to cross between the two campuses on opposite sides of the river!</div>
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Arriving at Potong Pasir, all of us immediately noticed a difference. The atmosphere was more laid-back and peaceful. There were many mature trees around and the place looked so green, unlike the usual PAP towns where all the trees are well trimmed and so... not green.</div>
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Well, maybe we should not judge the town just from looks, but the area definitely looked nice with all the lush greenery near the river.</div>
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We did not make it to Bishan Park in the end, because yours truly developed a muscle pull in the left leg and we had to abandon the walk to lunch at Junction 8.</div>
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Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-60630176980385879422011-05-23T19:43:00.002+08:002015-08-30T22:00:15.722+08:00Kallang BasinAfter doing some research on the nesting habits of Little Terns, I learned that their nests are usually just a shallow scrape in sand or shingle, and they can be found on the coasts or inland waterways. In many countries, they are protected because their numbers have dwindled due to habitat loss. Unfortunately, their choice of nesting locations are usually places where human traffic is high, and it is not unusual for a breeding pair to abandon their nest due to disturbances.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBb2YoEx1VitQY41Cd7tR0hFGLF7CYMP-xb0UhmTK4MHUl0kotfdoKqN5IXYIUrpbrfycnxmqeENZa2TBlGqH_sjp-tFGTRFUGDwqg0HQ5lswIuMYV8A7PM4WMuZvky7yJn2ylNpGX-E/s1600/_MG_3191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBb2YoEx1VitQY41Cd7tR0hFGLF7CYMP-xb0UhmTK4MHUl0kotfdoKqN5IXYIUrpbrfycnxmqeENZa2TBlGqH_sjp-tFGTRFUGDwqg0HQ5lswIuMYV8A7PM4WMuZvky7yJn2ylNpGX-E/s320/_MG_3191.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kallang Riverside Park, view from Sir Arthur's Bridge.</td></tr>
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With this information, I decided to check out the small stretch of beach at the Kallang Riverside Park, accessed from Kampong Bugis. There was not a single Little Tern to be spotted today at Kallang River from around 11am to 12:30pm. Instead, a Grey Heron and immature Brahminy Kite were spotted, perched on the coconut tree branches. Little Herons were also spotted along the riverbank. I reached the usual place where I photographed the Little Terns, and there was not a single one there too. Where have they gone to? Further inland? Have they started nesting and chosen a site which is further inland?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa2nZDTadS043tt8h0ZqF3fbQxeUb53l3YRc4hocmycdQv_cMSGV5lJXGXTtvcTcuDrqPFJCmQo0srO9muyaIRyN0DOzLLj4dHTeYEEQgu9S6ciBmhzcQiLq1n71AwQF1uryILmq0TAE/s1600/_MG_3184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNa2nZDTadS043tt8h0ZqF3fbQxeUb53l3YRc4hocmycdQv_cMSGV5lJXGXTtvcTcuDrqPFJCmQo0srO9muyaIRyN0DOzLLj4dHTeYEEQgu9S6ciBmhzcQiLq1n71AwQF1uryILmq0TAE/s320/_MG_3184.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Grape fruits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL43TSB97z4L7yrTwfJd8RVvJLudwB6o9xC59h3ACuddhgNTe0nn0N99y4Q-YXkLIWvKlpwnzRWToccmcL1bVhaDu4d8S0eHROBZgXzJzw6i-Qsk2uF4ZudteRfNterNxMtqE-_ET4gHA/s1600/_MG_3187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL43TSB97z4L7yrTwfJd8RVvJLudwB6o9xC59h3ACuddhgNTe0nn0N99y4Q-YXkLIWvKlpwnzRWToccmcL1bVhaDu4d8S0eHROBZgXzJzw6i-Qsk2uF4ZudteRfNterNxMtqE-_ET4gHA/s320/_MG_3187.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Grape leaf. The leaf is so stiff and thick that it can be used as a plate!</td></tr>
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Later in the afternoon, around 3pm, a single Little Tern was spotted diving for fish at the sea near the beach at Fort Road exit. It flew in the direction of Marina Barrage. I do not think it went back to Kallang River because it is quite far away, and the bird appeared again later around 4pm to fish. Maybe a breeding pair can be found at the under-construction Marina East beach.Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526557564807636822.post-33718582872374166172011-05-17T23:27:00.007+08:002020-07-09T01:26:55.308+08:00Little TernsWent to the usual spot at Kallang River to photograph the Little Terns again today. During two previous visits, I did not see them before 9am. A few started arriving only around 10am, when it was much warmer. More arrived later and feeding activities started around 11am, when it was really hot for us humans. Total count last week was 8.<br />
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The females took up their places individually at the poles. When the males took off to fish, they would call excitedly, especially when they were flying back with food for them or when they were fishing nearby. Maybe each female's call is different, and it helps the male identify where she is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnEyvFGUZVq0Ic7mcOVT6PzFqmOAAd-yTkFjl_WA0BJ9VXamFsVu5MhqjNfZ3RcT4incJHo_C7uMBOBK2e59cfCW4T_kjRzy1YBLSHSbdTZucA2W-jjxv3NCr8opsX4yAqWlyYmfk7HE/s1600/kallang-110517-_MG_3069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnEyvFGUZVq0Ic7mcOVT6PzFqmOAAd-yTkFjl_WA0BJ9VXamFsVu5MhqjNfZ3RcT4incJHo_C7uMBOBK2e59cfCW4T_kjRzy1YBLSHSbdTZucA2W-jjxv3NCr8opsX4yAqWlyYmfk7HE/s400/kallang-110517-_MG_3069.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtship feeding. The male feeds the female.</td></tr>
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Today, I observed something interesting. Two terns, which I presumed had already bonded, were preening themselves on a single pole. When one of them flew off and returned with a fish, I was surprised he refused to present the fish to his 'partner', flew off with the fish, and fed it to the tern on the next pole! This happened to the three bachelorettes resting at the poles closest to me. It appeared they have no partners yet and the males were undecided? One other pair was already bonded, and the male kept coming back with fish for his lady.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0pLDi8FoLxTIOvKpkT5y82CjMokFaS6G3QrvQmsexPQE7VLp6DXXbFyUf6-bUy9YLbA4hMzX8v1Kmn_z9ItuBUe2qcvu0MDHSjap0TTDrUvgfc9rz0dCTMrzs4YaKNtPsBDgBlNXbrg/s1600/kallang-110517-_MG_3138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0pLDi8FoLxTIOvKpkT5y82CjMokFaS6G3QrvQmsexPQE7VLp6DXXbFyUf6-bUy9YLbA4hMzX8v1Kmn_z9ItuBUe2qcvu0MDHSjap0TTDrUvgfc9rz0dCTMrzs4YaKNtPsBDgBlNXbrg/s400/kallang-110517-_MG_3138.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fish is not for you!</td></tr>
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Last week, I photographed one pair mating. I do not know if they would still be flying out to the poles to feed daily, or they have already found a place to start their nesting activities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBGYP1GSCQxjIJ-LcWTBKgffikl8FRlkxWWI0-CihA3Tyg7lUnf1xPkNkWERQgo5w09p_yNnJ7VHv30cpXHzx5SQ1GigierzdV3b9pqspQvt-F5Xt19Ie8Mcyf_BdMJ3cGWSrsr78y_w/s1600/kallang-110515-_MG_2964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBGYP1GSCQxjIJ-LcWTBKgffikl8FRlkxWWI0-CihA3Tyg7lUnf1xPkNkWERQgo5w09p_yNnJ7VHv30cpXHzx5SQ1GigierzdV3b9pqspQvt-F5Xt19Ie8Mcyf_BdMJ3cGWSrsr78y_w/s400/kallang-110515-_MG_2964.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mating Little Terns.</td></tr>
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Last year, I photographed them at the same location around early June. I wonder if they are early this year. It would be good if I can find their nesting locations so that I can at least have a photographic record of them bringing up the chicks.<br />
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All photographs taken with Canon gear. EOS 40D, EF300mm, EF1.4x extender.Ms Haremoneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17668846622410392723noreply@blogger.com