Coney Island Singapore Re-visited

Most weekends, I will be out here cycling or just simply walking. It is a great place to chill out, unwind, soak in nature and practice photography. When the island was first opened, the gates at both ends were not installed yet. Now, the gates are only opened from 7am – 7pm daily.

Today’s post is more on nature photography on the island.

Misty Morning

Taken on 26 March 2017. When out cycling, I only bring along minimum gear, sometimes just the handphone. But that morning, I brought along the Nikon P900. Misty morning, just my favourite kind of scenery. The first picture, didn’t know that the lens was foggy from condensation but I like the effect anyway. Wait for the sun to rise higher up and the sunrays appeared!

Misty Sunrise

misty coney island

sunrise silhouette

lights and shadows

sunrays

 

A Different Perspective

These pictures were taken on 1 April 2017, using Nikon D5100. Happy belated April Fool Day, haha! Was hoping for mist but nope. Not meant to be on that day. But I found a different view I really like. Would not have notice this if I was out cycling. I’m glad I walked that morning, even though it was a last minute decision to get here. Walking is good because the mind slows down and see things in a different light. Pun intended!

coney island singapore

coney island singapore

 

Close-up

Taken this morning, 2 April 2017, using Olympus Pen E-PL6. Such a long time ago since I used this camera. Out cycling today so just a small camera to practice and check out different things. Tried out the 40-150 mm lens which I think I had only used about 3 times before. Switch to manual mode and make the best of the situations.

macro

close up leaf

leaf nature

white flower

leaf hearts

tree sunglow

If you haven’t been here before, do come visit! Its a haven for nature lovers, cycling buddies and photography khakis! 🙂

 

Tanjong Rhu Panorama

Kayaking at Kallang Basin with Tanjong Rhu as a backdrop

A panorama of Kallang Basin with Pebble Bay at Tanjong Rhu in the background. Kayaks and dragon boat practice always around this area. Lots of thing to photograph here.

Taken with a Tokina 11-16 lens with a Nikon D5100 at 7am.

I think I will come back often here for sunrise practice. Meanwhile, have a great weekend!

 

Fireworks at Singapore Sports Hub

Singapore Sports Hub Fireworks

Last night, with a group of friends, I went out to shoot fireworks at the newly opened Singapore Sports Hub.

The occasion is to mark “One Year to the SEA Games”.

Very challenging to shoot fireworks. They come so fast, not possible to capture everything. More finetuning for next time.

 

Green Nature at McRitchie Reservoir

Green forest at McRitchie Reservoir

Solitude in the forest. Feast those tired eyes on something green and soothing. Let’s visit McRitchie Reservoir and walk along the boardwalk. Reflect our blessings and be thankful for each and every single day we have. Life is ever so precious.

 

Nature Serenity at Pasir Ris Farmway 3 Canal

Peace and quiet – nature interlude at Pasir Ris Farmway 3 Canal

If you just take the time to sit and stare, explore the little corners in your  surroundings, it is amazing what you may just discover.

Here it is, one of my favourite place to visit in the morning. The bushes are overgrown. There is no street light to illuminate the surroundings. Every now and then, flaps of wings could be heard when flock of birds take flight. Insects chirp and birds sing their merry songs. Somewhere in the distance, a woodpecker knocks continuously at its home. Butterflies flutter about and tiny beetles fight for food.

The clouds are always looking grey in the morning whenever I visit here. But my heart is enlighten to see beautiful nature and such a slow pace of life still exists here. Serenity not to be taken for granted for sure.

So wherever you are in the world, do take time to check out your neighbourhood. Who knows what you may just discover. 🙂

 

Sunset at Lorong Halus Wetland

Golden glow and pinkish sky over the Lorong  Halus Wetland bridge and Serangoon Reservoir

Yesterday, we had a beautiful sunset.

The landmark here is the red bridge that connects Lorong Halus Wetland to Punggol Promenade. Lots of wispy cirrus clouds which usually means lots of pinkish-red afterglow. To the left of the bridge, the light was a golden yellow while on the right side, pink reddish glow where the clouds were lit. Without a tripod, I was free to take many shots of the surrounding. The offset was the slightly grainy pictures but I would take that rather than blurry pictures.

A crescent moon was hovering over the clouds. If the sky is clear, may want to try your luck at photographing the stars.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Stormy Sunrise

Morning landscape with storm clouds at the North Eastern Riverine Loop Park Connector

Some mornings, it is worth every effort to wake up early and greet the dawn.

See the storm clouds. Watch how the changing lights flicker like a light switch from grey to red to golden yellow. There is a reason why the Golden Hour is so special.

If you stay nearby, come see the morning while cycling, hiking or jogging at the North Eastern Riverine Loop Park Connector. Bright lights are not always on the eastern horizon. Look behind you on the western horizon and see the pinkish afterglow.

Hope you have a great weekend!

 

Storm Clouds and a Rainbow

May is a good month for watching those storm clouds in Singapore. See how those cumulonimbus clouds form, change shapes, merge or simply dissipate are quite breathtaking.

Here are my photo adventure of watching those clouds yesterday.

From the middle section of Punggol Beach, on that red bridge, came across this view.

Punggol Beach with cumulonimbus clouds on the west horizon on 2 May 2014 7.21am

See that thunderstorm signboard? Yes, storms are very frequent here. This section only has one small shelter in the middle. Further up is the Marina Country Club. A bicycle comes very handy when you have to dash for cover.

By the way, the forest on the left side had been cut down to make way for more development. That is for another posting on another day.

Cycled further up and saw the storm clouds on another perspective.

Columns of raising cumulonimbus clouds in the distance on 2 May 2014 7.24am

Passed by the Marina Country Club, crossed the road and saw the storm clouds reflection at Punggol Reservoir.

Cumulonimbus clouds reflection at Punggol Reservoir on 2 May 2015 7.45am

The flats in the distance looked so small in comparison to the storm clouds.

After this view, I took a break and photographed flowers at the small garden there. Next instance when I looked up, hey, a rainbow!

A rainbow at Punggol Reservoir on 2 May 2014 8.31am

A very faint rainbow but always nice to see one. That gigantic cumulonimbus clouds had changed shape again.

Vertical panorama of rainbow and storm clouds on 2 May 2014 8.31am

A close up of the rainbow.

Rainbow at Punggol Reservoir on 2 May 2014 8.31am

At this time, two boats came upstream. They split direction at this point. One turned left and this happen to be my favourite photo on that day. I waited for the boat to come into the frame, then, Snap!

Boat at Punggol Reservoir on 2 May 2014 8.34am

The other boat moved further upstream.

Boat moving upstream at Punggol Reservoir on 2 May 2014 8.35am

Some of the storm clouds seemed to have grown smaller. Hmm, I guess no thunderstorm on that morning.

Changing shapes of storm clouds on 2 May 2014 8.36am

But it did rained later on. It is so amazing watching these clouds form, re-shape, merging and at times disengaging. I could stare at them for hours.

Here is an old posting on storms clouds posted in May 2012 North Eastern Riverine Loop (NERL) – Thunderstorm Warnings

It is thunderstorm season now. Get those cameras ready!  Have a great weekend!

 

Forest Reflection

Forest reflection, Nature Walk section of Punggol Promenade

Something old photographed on 11 Nov 2012 at 7.11am.  A very familiar place. Given the HDR processing this time. I remember using a GND at that time.  From afar, the different colour tones of the Casuarina trees set them afar.

Just for the sake of experimentation, converted the picture to black and white.

Black and white forest reflection

 

Feeling adventurous, try it out in blue overtone this time.

Forest reflection in blue tone

 

Which version do I like best? Hmmm, I think the blue one. Afterall, blue is my favourite colour. 😉

Tomorrow is Labor Day. Work hard but now it is time for a good rest. Enjoy the long weekend!

 

Photo Journey at Punggol Promenade, Serangoon Reservoir

Come join me as we journey at dawn along Punggol Promenade, passing through Serangoon Reservoir this morning.

Reddish Dawn at Serangoon Reservoir 6.35am 26/04/2014

It was very humid last night so I was expecting lots of mist this morning.  This was taken from the Halus Bridge. At this hour, the sky had a coral, reddish hue using the Sunset setting.

Serangoon Reservoir from Sunrise Bridge 6.42am 26/04/2014

Moving on to the Sunrise Bridge, this was the view this morning. Change the white balance setting to Tungsten because I like a bluish tone.

Crepuscular rays reflection at Serangoon Reservoir East Dam 6.47am 26/04/2014

Next stop, a closer look a the Serangoon Reservoir East Dam from the Nature Walk session of Punggol Promenade.

Lorong Halus forest reflection 6.47am 26/04/2014

Went further down to the river ledge and catch these scenes.

Lorong Halus Bridge 6.48am 26/04/2014

The opposite direction – a misty view of the Lorong Halus red bridge and forest reflection in the distance.

Close up of Serangoon Reservoir East Dam 6.50am 26/04/2014

A close up of the Serangoon reservoir East Dam – see through what was on the other side.

Dawn Reflection at Serangoon Reservoir 6.54am 26/04/2014

Cycle further down and this was the view today.

Pulau Serangoon or Coney Island Singapore 6.54am 26/04/2014

Closer look of Coney Island Singapore or Pulau Serangoon and its forest reflection.

Nature Walk Punggol Promenade heading to Punggol Beach 7.05am 26/04/2014

Reach the second bridge with an elevated view. At one end was this view looking towards Punggol Beach.

 

Misty view of Coney Island Singapore or Pulau Serangoon 7.06am 26/04/2014

Another view of Coney Island Singapore or Pulau Serangoon. The mist was so thick, could not see Pasir Gudang port from here.

Nature Walk Punggol Promenade Misty View 7.07am 26/04/2014

Here was the other view towards Serangoon Reservoir East Dam.

The day was getting brighter but humidity lingered. No view of the sun yet from this angle.

It is sunny now but cloudy. I am off for other events. Meanwhile, have a great weekend!