Monday, December 30, 2013

Beijing 2013

A Short Trip to Beijing.

The weather was horribly cold for someone like me who is accustomed to the hot and humid weather of Singapore. I had read in the news that the weather is always bleak and grey with lots of smog covering the city.

Since this is the first time I was there and only there for a short time, I am not sure if I am blessed or if the weather is just irratic.

In any case, I had experience the grey and smog filled placed upon my arrival to Beijing. I had thought that it would be that way throughout.

My first location to visit was the Yi He Yuan, Summer Palace. It was so hazy that nothing was clear and visibility was horrible but as the scenery was a lakeside view, it had created a wonderful atmosphere.







All the above are taken in Yi He Yuan. The lake was partly frozen and we can see some people walking on the lake. According to our tour guide, we were told that these people are risking their lives as the ice is not very thick yet.

The scene was really amazing though. The dreamy feel that I got gave me a feeling like I am looking at a painting.

Next we visited the Forbidden City. The weather cleared. We understand that once the wind starts to blow, Beijing will experience clear sky and better air. However, as it is now winter, the constant wind is quite unbearable to someone like me. I had taken lots of precaution to ensure that my clothing is sufficient and my gear is suitable. It is still feels too cold.



The door before entering the forbidden city main courtyard.


And here's what lies beyond the door. A magnificient sight to behold. A place where officials used to gather for their morning court sessions during the ming and qing dynasty.

Another Magnificent sight is the Great Wall of China. From the bottom, it looks pretty easy to climb up. When I started, I realised that the steps were high and uneven. Just a small section of the Great Wall is already a difficult climb for a city person like me. I climbed up several sections of the great wall almost reaching the peak of this small part of the great wall. 

View was superb. Just seeing the great wall makes me wonder how these people could complete such a few so long ago.


There are still many interesting sights in Beijing. Though the city holds great historical value, it is changing at an alarming rate. The Chinese government had taken much effort to retain the historical sites to provide the Chinese and the world to see and feel a piece of the Chinese's magnificent past.







Sunday, December 22, 2013

SUNBIRD @ SINGAPORE BOTANICAL GARDEN

SUNBIRD (FEMALE- WHAT SPECIES? CANNOT BE SURE COZ I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RECOGNIZE THE FEMALE.)

OLIVE BACKED SUNBIRD (MALE)

CRIMSON SUNBIRD (MALE)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Common King Fisher

One of the lovely visiting birds the Common King Fisher.

#1 Common King Fisher having Breakfast



#2 The CKF after diving. Drying itself.

#4 CKF in mid flight

#4 Portrait of the CKF

Monday, December 2, 2013

Bidadari

A Trip on a rainy day to Bidadari.

#1 White Throated King Fisher. Drenched in the Rain.


#2 Another shot of a White Throated King Fisher.


#3 Hodgson's Hawk Cuckoo


#4 Tigher Shrike
#5 Tiger Shrike


Monday, November 25, 2013

Diversity @ Bidadari


Went for a morning walk to look for birds @ Bidadari. I was not disappointed.

It is a place full of life. So many species of birds in such a small piece of land.

It's a sad thing that this place is going to be drastically changed in the near future. Where will all the birds be in the future? How is the migration pattern going to be changed ?

Thousand and one questions but no one can answer. Let's just hope that the birds find another area which can sustain them.

Below are a few of the many species of birds found in Bida.

Jambu Fruit Dove

White Throated King Fisher

















Sunday, November 24, 2013

Birds @ Singapore Botanical Gardens

A few shots of the Lesser Whistling Duck and a few species of the Sunbirds. 

















Sunday, September 29, 2013

BiRDS OF PANTI FOREST


Went Panti Forest for a walk. The birds life there are abundant and we had lots of fun shooting the birds!

Here are some of the shots we took!


Blue Winged Leaf Bird


CHECKER THROATED WOOD PECKER

Tiger Shrike


Yellow Breasted Flower Pecker

Orange Bellied FLower Pecker


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Brown Throated Sunbird



Friday, August 16, 2013

FRASER BIRDING 2013

First time to Fraser Hill for birding!

Had a really great time there with a few kakis! We spend 3 full days doing nothing but birding! Was really fun.

We went birding along the busy and some more secluded roads. Lot's of birds around, though you need to be alert and be able to spot them.

The birds there move in waves. Whole group of them coming and going in just a moment.

Here's the result of our 3 days of birding.


#1 Silver Eared Mesia


#2 Chestnut Capped Laughing Thrush


#3 Chestnut Capped Laughing Thrush 


#4 Streaked SpiderHunter


#5 Mountain Fulvetta


#6 Magpie Robin


#7 Large Niltava (Female)

#8 Fire Tufted Barbet


#9 Oriental White Eye


#10 Greater Yellow Naped Wood Pecker

#11 Greater Yellow Naped Wood Pecker


#12 Grey Chinned Minivet (Male)

#13 12 Grey Chinned Minivet (Female)


#14 Sultan Tit

#15 Little Cuckoo Dove


#16 Mountain Bulbul


#17 Black Browed Barbet


#18 Verditer flycatcher