Stroll in The Park [update June 2011]

May 2011, Pasir Ris Park

At the verge of giving up while locating Pasir Ris Park, finally managed to get to the entrance after some asking, transcending wrong paths, u-turn, wrongful right turn, etc etc... and before reaching the entrance of its mangrove board walk, I was at the middle of a stone bridge that overlooked river Sungei Tampines (noticed the sheltered gazebo on the left of picture - accessible via mangrove board walk)

Entrance to the mangrove board walk looked kinda "creepy"

but good surprises awaited as I reached the sheltered gazebo protruded out slightly (from river bank) so that visitors could get a good view of the river (Sungei Tampines). So I thought, "alright, nothing much, just another river... " then suddenly this loud (and noisy) coarse-call that resembled "ducks with bad-soar throat shouting in big groups through microphone" in vicinity. Enthusiastically trying to trace its source, and only about a minute later was I able to spot nests!!

Yes, visible only because huge wings I saw flapping towards branches high up at one far end of the river... with help of zoom facility, these are the family of HERONS

Spotted 2 juveniles in nest, one on each side, the adult feeding the one nested on right...

simply beautiful family

then one returning home... (but not sure why it perched at other side of river, and it kinda 'blew its throat' (noticed flap at throat)

back to the family

Good catch today... at least with nests and juveniles!

WATCH THIS...

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May 2011, Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West

One of the well-kept parks, built on a hillock with a 120-step staircase where a pergola can be seen at the top end of the stairway - viewable from the entrance that gave a first-impression of "Little Bali in Town"

View of garden at plaza

Some interesting finds as I walked further...

- Spider busy treading along its silk web....

- Bird nest inside this tree (but was unable to spot the bulbul juveniles which I saw 2 days ago their parent Bulbul feeding it)

- Gliding Lizard






- Kingfisher perched at branch, and calling...

VIDEO....

... then flew to another branch

... and another too far

For a "town" park, this west side of the garden of Ang Mo Kio Town (compared to the east garden) is better maintained and more comfortable for strolls, away from the noisy traffic.

- well-kept plantations, with artistic branch growth

- flowering garden

- plantain squirrels (as I was busy focusing on taking pictures of falling flowers, these 2 buddies came down from tree beside and picking on fruits and seeds for their breakfast...)

- trees with sturdy branches

- beautiful branches

- growth on bark

- canes

- heliconia

- fishtail palm tree

- deserted pond

- elephant apple tree (along walk path near the pond)

- near entrance/exit of town garden, some nice flowers and butterflies

After the walk, I had my breakfast at nearby McDonalds after which a Myna was eyeing the empty tray on my table. At just a table (in front) away from where I sat, I was observing its movement and suddenly the Myna "vomitted" a black slimy mucus-like stuff from its throat and had it dangling at the tip of its beak. Then slowly the Myna hopped from the table to a chair and "placed" (kinda gently) the 'mucus' on the chair seat.

Some interesting shots of the Myna

and this was the 'mucus'...

I was told later in the day that this Myna was probably 'unwell' from the look of its 'fluffy' feathers which usually are flattened instead of 'puffed up'... so I assumed that 'mucus' was due to its indigestion...?

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June 2011, Alexandra Canal Linear Park

Sparrow searching for food....

Spotted Dove

April 2011, Alexandra Canal Linear Park

Unique as it is built on top of a (long stretch) of covered canal. Some pleasant sightings while walking the 1.1km stretch...

Bulbul in Action

The young of Bulbul... yet to develop that 'aparche hairstyle'

Green Pigeon

Flowers

Butterfly
this 'fly' in the picture was accidental. I was not aware that it was in the frame while I was focusing the butterfly, until when I was about to upload it to this site that I realised THE FLY!

...monitor lizard
I was framing the landscape through this 'side opening' alongside the pathway, when I noticed a movement...
spot it?

Squirrel
I had been lucky at my first visit to the park this morning. On return, near the entrance (after about an hour), heard some movement among bushes behind me where I had faced my back against as I was busy looking up at birds flying and chirping by the trees. I turned my back, squad, and slowly tracked the action, and saw this squirrel in a hurry

A rewarding walk today...

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