Gardens
A corner of MacRitchie Reservoir
The purpose of construction a submerged boardwalk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park is to filter rainwater from the surrounding through plants and stone beds. It acts like a filtration system to channel cleaner water into the reservoir.
At the same time, fun walker can have close contact with beautiful insects like dragonflies, damselflies and other aquatic life surrounding the area.
No pets and footwear are allowed on the shallow water. If that is the case, why not hand carry your pet and they’ll love you more than ever!
At times, helicopter-like damselfly may zoom across with their horizontal propellers.
Some are thoroughly in action while some are lone ranger.
Some are so insignificant but plays and important part to purify the water for our usage.
Some are living quietly without any titles.
Some water fairies whispering by the waterside.
This is just a corner of the park, but never neglect the rest!
Sengkang Sculpture Park
Sengkang Sculpture Park is a neighbourhood park located in Sengkang new town. The theme “fishing village/marine” is evolved from the original fishing village as it was.
The park is specially designed to allow park user to interact with the sculptures and create a personal experience in return.
‘Bubbles’ – ball sculptures designed for park user to sit, climb or laze around.
‘Waves” sculptures recollect the old memories of Sengkang as a fishing village. Sited on carpet grass, low green shrubs change the form of the “Waves” in different angles.
A whale-like sculpture play-scape is playfully hiding within the green.
Enjoy food in this eatery next to the park. Rest or carry on with the fun searching.
Sitting under the timber trellis, getting interact with plants or sculptures, this is the core of this “Art in the Park”.
Show yourself love, but not engraving love on me
“Keep our trees healthy by not engraving on them!” There is a signboard written by National Park in Orchid Garden, Sinagpore Botanic Gardens. By keeping them growing healthily, a gentle reminder for public not to engrave anything on the tree.
This is Leptospermum Brachyandrum, commonly known as tea tree, weeping tea tree or silver princess etc. Graceful weeping habitual and distinctive aromatic scent are the delightful appearance of this lovely soft foliage.
This is one of the trees, couple likes to engrave with their heart on the tree body. So let’s start today, show love by care and not by engraving!
Arches of the Golden Shower
These arches were cheerfully designed and display with massive Golden Shower Orchids. Oncidium Goldiana is the first hybrid produced by Singapore Botanic Gardens’ orchid programme in 1939.
It has two common names, Golden Shower and Dancing Lady.
The name, Golden Shower arises from the numerous blooming in striking yellow, looking like golden showers in a mass presentation.
The name, Dancing Lady arises from individual flower that looks like dancing lady dancing in her ballroom dress.
Anyone there would like to dance with her under the delightful arches, or just walk through and get showered by this vibrant flora?
What a sparking day at Punggol Promenade
“Lalang” in Malay, common name has known as blady grass. This special fibre-optics Lalang lights beautifully blend in with the lalang plants along the Sungei Serangoon. It’s supported by refine metal conduit pipes, skillfully curved it with a warm and cozy feeling for park-goers.
Besides lighting up in the night, I have another eyes for the sunlight grow on this particular lighting’s body.
As the sun goes higher and higher, the hot spot getting brighter and brighter.
The inner is support by metal pipes and outside wrapped by hard rubber.
A magical blur effect beautifully blends with the assorted colors.
Some look like stainless steel.
Some look like gold.
Some look like platinum.
And some mixed.
Most importantly, they are there together sharing a sparking day with us!
A big bird cage in Orchid Garden
There is a bird cage-like green house in Orchid Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. It almost fully covers with lash green, and Orchids are the main actors in the cage. It is not very big in size but interesting in the concept.
Before you step in and become part of the birdie in the cage, there are many different kinds of Orchid welcome you at the doorway.
There is one fern tree right in the center of the core; act as a umbrella with a spreading arms, shading us from the sunny heat wave.
He is wearing a sock; with a branded name Orchid Renanthera, also call the Singaporeans.
And of course many other more, that belongs to the family of the Orchid Empire.
Don’t mix up with these two dragons
Dragonflies are generally larger and perched with open wings that are perpendicular to the body.
Compared to damselfly, its elongated body are much more flatter. The eyes are very close to each other.
Most of them can’t walk well, but it’s believed to be one of the fastest flying insects in the world.
Dragonflies are predators. They capture their prey in flight and prey on mosquitoes and other insects like bees, ants, flies, butterflies and moths just to name a few. But it is also subject to other predators like frogs, birds, spiders and even their larger counterparts.
Comparing to dragonflies, damselflies are generally smaller in size and look more fragile in appearance. Its body is long and skinny and usually ends with a dew form.
The wings are usually perch close and parallel to the body.
It is a weak flyer, eyes separated apart and they are predator too. Their food consumption is equally small as of the predator.
Both are closely related group of insects.
Rain tree shading you from the rain
Rain tree is one of the common species in Singapore. By tilting your head anytime, any days, you see a giant smiling at you warm-heartedly.
Albizia saman or samanea saman is the scientific name of a rain tree. The name of this tree arises from its behaviors, as the leaves will be closed up in the evening and in rainy weather. Therefore, it also has a Malay name Pukul Lima meaning 5 o’clock tree.
The trees located next to Evans Lodge are magnificently huge and wide with lavishly grown weeds creeping all over its body and branches.
So much so it has became part of the tree’s body; no one can split them up, as they must grow as a whole.
A bird nest fern also belongs to part of the community.
Not one or two, they just live together simply to shade us from rain and sun.
Cherish cherry’s pictures
Spotted a few cherry trees along Evans Road outside Singapore Botanic Gardens. To my surprise, it is beaming with shinning and juicy fruits but with no birds chirping happily with their fine cuisine. For that, I have a strong reason to believe the fruits will not taste as sweet as it looks.
Otherwise, birds would not have enough to share it with the worms and the ants would be happily singing and carrying it all the way home.
If not, these strings of ruby gems wouldn’t be hanging there like dropping musical notes, waiting for an artist to complete the beautiful song.
Or else, all these ripe and unripe cherries will be ferry all the way to the supermarket for sales.
Then, today, I wouldn’t be able to have a chance to share them with you and cherish these cherries’ pictures with all!
A Bucida tree will never turn you down
I got to know Bucida molineti tree since the day I shifted here some 12 years ago. At that time, it was a man with the height of his childhood. But then, he’s as tall as a four storey apartment now, and I’m sure he is holding an important role in decorates our neighborhood landscapes.
Attracted by this lovely tree, right from the sleek silhouette to the elegant exterior it portrays. The tiny arms and the leafy evergreens express himself in a refine and delicate manner.
Leafs are gently small compared to the size of the body. By saying that, he seems like standing on a moderate path, offering the blue sky to us and at the same time shading us from the cheerful bright sun.
I like walking on pavements shaded with these trees, under their widely open arms. Sometimes, the dropping leaves may accidentally got stuck on my glasses, but the kiss of it is so light and soft that I felt like it’s the teardrops of the tree.
Taking a second look at it, does it strike a chord on you? Yes, it looks like an upside down Christmas tree. So the next time you bump into one, ask him “where have all the Christmas trees gone?” I believe his answer will never turn you down.
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