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. 🙂

 

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!

 

Sunset at Pasir Ris Farmway 3

Sunset Panorama at Pasir Ris Farmway 3

The lalang grass are growing in big patches across the empty field at Pasir Ris Farmway 3.

As I passed this road on my way to Pasir Ris Park in the morning, I had this idea that the lalangs would be aglow during sunset. True enough on my way home yesterday evening, they were ablazed in the sun’s golden glow.

I just wanted to see how the photos turn up with no editing done. Taken with an Olympus PL6 with the 14-40mm kit lens.

If you pass this area, remember to snap a few photos before the lalang grass are all gone.

 

 

 

Lorong Halus Wetland – Curvy, Lurvy, Bendy Path

Walking track in Lorong Halus Wetland

As often as I come here, there are always different things to see.

There are plenty of walking track or path here. Most of the paths, bend right and left before a straight line ahead.

I was there two weeks ago with a different lens this time – a Tokina 11-16mm. Walking around with a wide angle lens to emphasize those curvy lines throughout the park. There are many trumpet trees in the park as well as next to the main road heading here. These were taken on 6 April 2014 so the trees may had shed all its flowers by now.

So next time you are here, follow a different path, use a different lens or camera and see things in a different perspective.

Have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Sungei Api Api Park – Interlude with Nature

Close-up with nature at Sungei Api Api Park

Of the many paths heading to Pasir Ris Park, this is my favourite – Sungei Api Api Park.

There is a signboard at the entrance from Pasir Ris Drive 3. Private properties on one side while the sungei or river face the other side.

A carpet of pink trumpet flowers greet visitors at the entrance. Colourful and charming. Quiet and serene.  Even the wooden dustbin blends in with the natural setting. At times, you hear the calls of wildlife. Could it be a grey heron calling out to its mate? Further up is Sungei Tampines, where a flock of grey herons make their home above the trees.

Meanwhile, this peaceful oasis is a pretty place for exploration and nature close-ups. There is a wooden shelter, a viewing boardwalk, an exercise corner and even a playground.

So the next time you are in the area, do take the time to explore this small but beautiful park.

Have a great weekend!

Map Location – Street Directory

Sungei Api Api Park

Nature interlude at Sungei Api Api Park

 

Pink trumpet flowers and greneery at Sungei Api Api Park

 

Trumpet Tree Flowers in Singapore – Pasir Ris Farmway 3 Canal

Trumpet Tree Flowers in Bloom

 

The canal route from Pasir Ris Drive 3 to Pasir Ris Farmway 3 heading to Lorong Halus Wetland – those using this shortcut will be familiar with this place.

But do you notice the colorful flowers in bloom? These pink and white blossoms of the trumpet tree  are flowering everywhere around Singapore. This is just one location.

A quiet place, if you take the time to stand and stare, to notice all these little things you may not be aware before. So, take time to see the beauty around us! 🙂

Colorful trumpet flowers in Singapore – canal from Pasir Ris Farmway 3 to Pasir Ris Drive 3

 

Blooming trumpet tree flowers along the canal from Pasir Ris Drive 3 to Pasir Ris Farmway 3

 

 

New Zealand Landscape

Collage of New Zealand beautiful nature landscape

A return visit to New Zealand. Revisit to familiar places and new locations. Through rain and sunshine. Beautiful landscapes and bittersweet memories. Just pictures for now. Write-up later.

 

Bird in Flight

Rapture flying over Serangoon Reservoir – click for bigger picture

Today, after the rain, the landscape was fresh and serene. The birds flew about chirping. Out of nowhere, this rapture swept from the left, sighting prey. Fascinating to watch it hunting. Initially looked like the rapture was catching fish. Turned out there was a smaller bird closer to the water and the rapture was hunting that little bird.

Flight of Freedom – click for bigger picture

Times like these, I really really wish for a good telephoto zoom lens.

A few months back, I saw a white featured eagle zooming and caught a big red fish in its claws at Sungei Pinang. Another time, I saw a hornbill flew by near the Sunrise Bridge. Just this morning at Changi Beach, at least three hornbills were yakking at the trees. Wonder what they were conversing about. 😉

So, there are plenty of wildlife in Singapore, despite the urban landscape. Just need to continue the conservation works and honour nature blessings.

 

Serangoon Reservoir Sunset

Serangoon Reservoir on a quiet Friday evening

A quiet evening at Serangoon Reservoir……

I was there on Friday evening.  The birds were chirping, the water was still with the occasional ripples and the light slowly darkened to a soft golden glow in the distance.

It is rather crowded here during weekends, so if you want a quieter atmosphere, come during weekdays for a relaxing time. Enjoy the peace and quiet!

Have a great weekend!

 

Mysterious Forest

Rays of light through a forest in the early morning while a figure strolled by in the far distance

Forest to me are very earthy, mysterious and at times haunting. Going through a long mental block had me looking for inspiration in older pictures.

I posted this picture a few months ago and reprocessed it with a tinge of hdr this time. That tiny figure awashed in the early morning light drew me into the forest every time.

Hoping to re-create that scene some day but with a different vibe and lighting conditions. Misty morning would be good. It could look eerie then.