photography
Friend 30 – Raindrops, 雨点
I’m so glad to see rainfall after 10 days of smoggy experience. The rain touches the ground, the colorless water colored the pale and grayish land where we lived.
经过十天的浓雾笼罩，今天终于看到无色的雨点，在我们这片灰土无色的地方涂上色彩。
We smell the nature gratefully. We saw the smiley plants and flowers, and the relief of the concrete floor dancing with smoke.
我们终于嗅到大自然的气息，看到植物与花朵的笑颜与地面上跳舞的水蒸气。
We saw peoples happily hiding under the roof. We heard thunder visiting by the window side, witnessed the birth of rain from the sky.
我们看见人们开心地躲进屋檐下，听见窗外的雷鸣声与雨丝如何从天空里落下。
I felt something moving in my heart. Shouldn’t we realize, shouldn’t we cherish the piece of land we are living?
这一刻，有一样东西在我心里头遄动，我们难道还没发觉，如何去珍惜这片土地？
The Armoured troopers
This giant Weta can only be found in limited area of New Zealand. It can grow up to 10 cm in length, 5 years in lifespan. Giant Wetas can weight more than 60g, which makes them one of the heaviest of all insects.
The name ‘Weta’ was derived from New Zealand Maori words, meaning ‘spirit of ugly things’. The physical appearance of this insect may looks like katydid, grasshopper or cricket but the hind legs are enlarged and spiny. Many of them are wingless and predators.
Wetas are not great leapers like their cousins – katydid, grasshopper and cricket. But with the surprisingly speed and the power of the rear leg, and tough skin he always put on, this solider is like an army trooper with fully armoured protector in the battlefield.
A tale of Orang Laut and Singapore River
According to legend based on the history of pre-Rafflesian time of Singapore, Orang Laut or Sea Gypsies was the communities who lived ‘in the numerous bays, inlets ad creeks surrounding Singapore.’
Half of them lived on water, in little canoes that could scarcely stretch themselves. The water lodgings were equipped with 1 or 2 cooking pots, earthy jars and mats made of pandanus leaves that allowed shading from sun and rain.
They spent most of their time on boat, where birth, marriage and death took place therein. As they were accustomed to life on the boat, they are easily recognized with their wadding gait on land.
The other half of these people lived in huts on the banks near Kallang River and at the wider portion of Singapore River.
During the times of British settlement, Major-General William Farquhar (1774-1839), the First Resident and Commandant of Singapore was appalled by the Orang Laut wearing no clothes, so he distributed money, clothes and rice to them. Their children were terrified by the newcomers, merchants, laborers from all over the world.
One even jumped into the sea and got drowned when people approached near their boats.
And now, if you attempted to jump into the water, hoping to stay closer to the legendary tale, I think that is the only best reason I could agree upon.
More than cloud and sky
By courtesy of http://www.flickr.com
According to a local article written by photographic journalist, Lee Tian QI (李天锜), about 30 numbers of birds of prey transited through Singapore as migrant in September.
By courtesy of http://www.5b.biglobe.ne.jb
They flew all the way from Northern Hemisphere to Southern Hemisphere, some stay for 1 or 2 days, while some stay up for a few months.
By courtesy of wildlife.site88.net
During the stay, the birds frequently visited Sungei Buloh, Seletar, Changi and Jurong Lake, where most of the wetland and mangrove are. While others look for footprints, the avid interest of Lee prompts him to hunt for ‘birdprints’.
He had experienced witnessing a Japanese Sparrow Hawk chasing a group of birds.
By courtesy of ibc.lynxeds.com
I thanked him for the great discovery and generously sharing this information with us. Ever since reading the article, it is not just sky and cloud appearing in my eyes whenever I looked up to the sky.
By courtesy of birdgroupsingapore
There are more things beyond that. I believe this is what the writer is trying to tell us. There is certainly something to look for on this little red dot.
Why are white flowers more fragrant than others?
Did you notice why white color flowers gives out stronger fragrance than other colored flowers?
Plants bear flowers for fruits and propagation. It requires helps from external sources like insects and wind to pollinate.
One way to invite insects is to cosmetic or beautify oneself so as to enhance the chances of visiting.
Nature has its way for survivor and its objective to live. White flowers present themselves by offering unique scent to potential visitors just like the strategy that applies to all beings.
If you sight a frangipani flower wearing a pure white gown waving at you, please do not doubt its intention, it’s as pure as its scent!
Hazy song
The song is inspired by the haze pollution cause by neighboring country lately.
PSI is climbing
Ionisers are overwhelming
Everyone grabbing masks and start fanning
PSI three twenty
CSI still on going
Headlines shouting over the sky scraping
No more outdoor fine dinning
No more star glazing
No more picnics and camping
Return me the green
Return me the trees
Return me the sunbeam
Return me the ice cream under the summer breeze
Haze, haze, go away
I’m not used to seeing your face
Haze, haze, go away
I can’t see my lover’s face
Everyone is choking
Asking doctors to give medical leave
Bosses asking,
What had happened to our sales margin?
Boss, boss, can’t you see we are drowning? We are drowning!
No more bargaining
No more daydreaming
No more moonlighting
No more lying and blaming
Get back to the street
Get back the sparkling margin
Get back to your own seat
Get back to the client’s face until they can see
Haze, haze, go away
I’m not used to seeing your face
Haze, haze, go away
We got something had to say
PSI – Pollutant Standards Index
CSI – A popular criminal drama in America.
Why are tree trunks in round tube form?
Have you ever wonder why tree trunks are all round in section but not in other shapes?
Life form always made its way towards the most adaptable and comfortable environment.
That applies to plants too!
Based on the same circumference, area for a circle is the largest among other shapes. Trees made used of this natural advantage and cleverly channel the nutrition through this concept.
Shapes in circular are more resistant to external damaging. Imagine a square or flat surface tree trunk will provide a suitable angle for animals’ chews and gobbles.
Round shapes also provide less wind resistant, an ideal way to bypass the impact of wind force from the external surf.
This great wise man on earth inspired the shape of the lamppost. It takes hundreds of, millions of years of self-development to acquire the stage now.
Day in, day out, we take things for granted. So, do we know the moral of the story now…?
I’m a Hercules
Rhinoceros beetles are named after their long strong horn. This hero is the champion among them for horn length. Their horns use to fight rival males and impress female. It can interlock, push, lift and slam down or even snap off enemy’s head.
It can live up to 2.5 years and reach up to 20 cm in total body length.
Rhinoceros beetle is one of the strongest animals in the world. It can lift more than 800 times its own body weight. Imagine a person weight of 60 kg, how much can he carry base on 800 times power? The answer is 48 tones! For that, I salute him as a Hero Hercules in the insect kingdom!
The differences between the 2L
The 2L represents Lotus and (water) Lily
Basically, they are different plants, but they look so similar.
To some, lotus and lily are the same. To some, they know the differences but might not be able to differentiate them.
Lotus has broad round leaves that are held above the water. The flowers have pungent fragrance and usually come in pink. Also, the flowers and stem grow above water. It produces a perforated seedpod and the seeds and roots can be eaten.
Water lily has pads that float on the water surface. They come in various colors. Flower sits on the water. The fragrance is softer and less pungent compared to lotus.
Such an inviting Amphitheatre
Botanic Garden Amphitheatre is part of the unbeatable attraction in this national park of Singapore. It is open to park visitors at all times but provides Orchestra occasionally. This spaceship-like stage is sponsor by Shaw Foundation. The curve lining of the roof is blend perfectly with charming wind and musical notes.
Whenever there is a performance, audience from all places gather here with their family, sit on the lawn, under the wonderful fresh air and enjoy the pleasure of the sound of music. Without any sound acoustic, playing music surrounding nature, this is the most original form of our heart beat!
The stage is surrounded with a waterlily pond, with beautiful flowers blooming all year round.
Frederick Chopin is always there to be a musical inspirer and guidance.
So, why would you want to turn his invitation down!
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