Little Heron

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/9 1/200 tripod

My apologies for skipping a few days recently. Weather was rainy and, for some reasons, mosquitoes have been invading my usual walking paths. I'll pass on the fact that work kept me busy. My new year resolution was to post 100 pictures this year and 85 have been posted by today. So I am well within target!

Here however is a snapshot of a little heron on a stilt within the mud flats of Khatib Bongsu.

Stork-Billed Kingfisher At Khatib Bongsu

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/9 1/320 flash -2.0EV tripod

A rare bird to sight and a rather shy one to capture on film. I decided to post this picture even though the beak was partially cut by the branch of the tree. The approach of the bird was hard. A picture, a few steps, another picture, again a few steps. When I crossed the 25m line, it just flew off...

Pink-Necked Pigeon

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -2.0EV tripod

Nice acrobatics by this female pink-necked pigeon feeding on fruits and berries. This is another inhabitant of the Khatib Bongsu area.

Olive-Backed Sunbird At The Nest

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -2.0EV tripod

This picture was taken the day before the chicks left the nest.

Oriental Whip Snake

D700 60mm ISO400 f/7.1 1/80

Another snap at this beautiful snake.

Oriental Whip Snake

D700 60mm ISO400 f/7.1 1/80

The oriental whip snake is another inhabitant of Singapore mangroves.

Smooth Otter At Khatib Bongsu

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISI400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -1.3EV tripod

Another snap at the otter!

Smooth Otters Midday Nap

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -1.3EV tripod

This couple of otters was seen resting at Khatib Bongsu. They came out of the water, rolled themselves on the dry soil and took a short nap before getting back into the water. It was of course a great opportunity to take a few shots.

Common Goldenback

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -1.3EV tripod

I observed a couple of common goldenbacks bringing in turn beakfull of insects to their nest (a hole in the bark of a tree). While rapid, their pattern of flight and trees visited was regular. Their next move could therefore be somewhat anticipated. Problem was the low light and the fact that they never seemed to be in the right spot when clouds had cleared or the right position passing through rare sunlit patches... I left thinking that I would go back to take more pictures in better light conditions.

When I went back a few day later, the nest was empty and the goldenbacks were gone... Well, I had often read to fully work out the subject when available as better or similar conditions were not guaranteed...

White-Vented Myna

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -1.3EV tripod

White-vented myna on the flower of an African tulip tree.

As the most numerous and successful bird in Singapore, the myna is considered a pest. However, when I saw this one in precarious balance on the flower, I could not resist taking a snap. In fact, I kind of like this picture.

Common Tailorbird

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash -1.3EV tripod

Some buzzing sounds came from two different locations within a low dry shrub. First thought was that there were two noisy insects answering each others calls. The sounds were just too loud. After a few minutes of observation, some branches moved, then a tiny bird appeared. It could not stay in place for more than a few seconds. By following it from branches to branches, I managed to capture a few pictures. After reviewing them, I could not find one where the bird had its beak closed...

Walk Within The Mangroves (5)

D700 500mm ISO200 f/5.6 1/60 tripod

Walk Within The Mangroves (4)

D700 500mm ISO200 f/4.5 1/60 tripod

In addition to anchoring the tree to the muddy soil, the mangrove roots have two important roles: (a) they filter salt out of the water (balance salt intake is evacuated through the leaves); (b) they develop aerial breathing "snorkels" to avoid suffocation in the oxygen poor mud.

The darker section of the roots on the above picture show the level of water at the highest tide.

Walk Within The Mangroves (3)

D700 500mm ISO200 f/4.5 1/60 tripod

One of the characteristics of the mangroves is their impressive roots, which stabilizes the tree in the soft muddy soil in spite of being exposed to the changes in tide and the waves.

Walk Within The Mangroves (2)

D700 60mm ISO200 f/4.5 1/125

The tide was pretty high and still on the rise. Another 10cm and the branch is in the water.

Walk Within The Mangroves (1)

D700 60mm ISO200 f/5.6 1/640

I like to visit a location at different hours to take advantage of the various lights. So this morning, I had an early walk. The sky was just beautiful with the sun brightening softly the side of the clouds. I abandoned the 3/3 rule and placed the horizon in the center of the picture to take advantage of the reflection...

While more and more people seem to enjoy fishing, catching crabs or just riding their bike to Khatib Bongsu, some tend not to understand that plastics do not decompose in the nature and that they will find their garbage exactly were left them when they come back, if the wind has not blown them into the water... A shame really.

In fact and on the above picture, I had to photoshop out a plastic bottle that was floating within the composition. At full resolution, I could guess the brand of the drink...

Little Egret In Flight

D700 500mm + 1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 -0.7EV 1/1000 tripod

Scaly Breasted Munia

D700 500mm + 1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash tripod

Second visit of the scaly breasted munia in this blog. Taken at Khatib Bongsu together with the owls, the iora and some egrets in flights.

Common Iora

D700 500mm + 1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash tripod

As I did not know the name of this bird, I posted a picture of it on the web site of the Nature Photographic Society, Singapore (www.npss.org.sg). I had an identification within 10 minutes! My thanks to the members. Above bird is actually a Common Iora with a male breeding plumage.

Buffy Fish-Owl - A Juvenile

D700 500mm +1.7 teleconverter ISO400 f/6.7 1/320 flash +1.0EV tripod

The last post of the buffy fish-owl for this week. This is the second bird on the tree, a juvenile.