Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The yearly birds migration season is here again! Well ,last year I didn't have a longer lens to shoot those birds, but this year, I could do it with my new 300mm lens. Was very excited when I visited Sungei Buloh again. I came here almost every weekend to check if I could capture different migratory birds. On top of those birds, I had also captured many other busy animals/insects along the way. Noted that to do bird watching, you had to be really early. I made my way from the reserve at Kranji Reservoir into the wetlands, walking and looking around for interesting happenings.

Some of my rare discoveries along the way included the Lineated Barbet which I understood was originated from the Indian continent, and the Hill Mynah from Thailand. Especially the Lineated Barbet, I was following it from tree to tree, eyeing at it for an opportunity for a clear view to shoot it. As the the hill mynah, I didn't spotted it until it called out to me. Haha... It was calling loudly from the top of a tree. I could not see it from ground level as it was really high up, but my camera spotted it.

Other findings included the super cute Zebra Doves, the Great Egret, Pink-Necked pigeon, and White-Throat Kingfisher.

Before getting into the wetland, I saw a beautiful sight. The beautiful morning sunlight casting over the Little Egrets were amazingly pleasing. There was a beautiful scene which I saw between the Estuarine Crocodile and the Little Egrets. Was waiting patiently to see what would happen between the crocodile and the Egrets. It seemed like they were getting curious of the still log laying in front of them. Great catch!

I quickly walked on heading into the wetlands to catch a glimpse of the migratory birds. I quickened my steps over the bridge and saw many photographers shooting a flock of egrets at the bank of the Buloh Besar river. Some of them were waiting for the egrets to open up their wings to fly while some were shooting those which were hovering above them. I moved on quickly because my aim was to shoot the migratory birds. 

At last!! It was a WOW sight! I was so excited when I saw them. There were lots and lots of them. It felt like a miniature birdpark. I found a comfortable spot to catch my view of the birds. I awas so delighted and beaming with light when I saw those birds I always wanted to see. Practically I was over the moon jumping with joy. There were Whimbrels, Greenshanks, Redshanks, Sandpipers and of course Egrets, Storks and Herons. The scene mesmerized me and made me lost inside them. I just stood there watching them dazingly.  

After being knocked out by the flock of migratory birds, I made my way round the wetland for my own adventure findings. Every walk brought me interesting discoveries, enabling myself to learn the uniqueness of Mother Nature. Nature had taught me many things, it made me slow down my pace in life and observed carefully what I could see around me before I moved on. Nature had also taught me to be more patient.

The pictures were beautiful weren't they? I love those pictures which my camera brought me. Sungei Buloh would always be a place full of surprises. Rest assured that I would be back again. 

Nearest Station: Kranji (hop on Bus 925 at the station bus stop)

National Orchid Garden

This was my very first visit to the National Orchid Garden in Singapore ever since it had been there since it's opening in 1995 by our Father, My Lee Kwan Yew. A fee was required to enter and as a result, not many Singaporeans visited it. It was mainly dominated by tourists. In celebration of the Nation's Jubilee Year, the entry to the Orchid Garden was free. I was overly excited when I read the news, made my plans to visit over the coming weekends.

It was crowded at the entrance when I arrived but they were standing and waiting outside the entry gate. I quickly snaked my way in before the commotion aka noise makers got inside. Beautiful environment for me to butterfly around. The pleasing sight of the orchids would blow your minds off.

The orchids at the main garden had displayed a view of vibrant colors. I walked on and arrived at the VIP garden where the orchids were named after some famous people. Some of them whom I did not know but there were a few of them whom I knew who they were. When well-known people visited Singapore for work or leisure, our Prime Minister would play to be their host. On top of that, they would plant an orchid and be named after them. Well, but not all had the opportunity to have chance to plant one. Their orchids were beautiful.

There were lots of different orchids in the VIP garden but some of the names seemed stranger to me, therefore I skipped it. Well, I walked out to the main garden and continue my flowery walk around. I could not bear to leave the place. I spent almost a day in this beautiful place. More flowers to come...

With all the beautiful flowers to view, I had finally ended my walk. I ended my day happily with my camera full of rewards from the National Orchid Garden.



Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens