Hindhede Nature Park

Went to Hindhede Nature Park this afternoon for these pics despite the partly cloudy sky. Strolled up the gentle winding boardwalk to the lookout point where I was rewarded with a lovely view of a water-filled disused quarry. From the dense forest across the water, I could hear the chatter of monkeys and the garrulous call of the white-crested laughing thrush. This is one of my favourite scenic spots at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Very calm and peaceful surrounding, reminds me of the same tranquility that I experienced at Tasik Kenyir.

In case your sense of direction isn't too good, this map will put you on the right track.Click on the above photo for high-res image
View of the quarry from the lookout point.
The TAS VHF Station is at the top of the quarryClick on the above photo for high-res image

Clouded Monitor

Photographed at MacRitchie Reservoir, Singapore
Family : VARANIDAE
Species : Varanus bengalensis nebulosus.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Whilst on the way to the Tree Top Walk, I encountered this specimen as it was digging amongst the leaf litter searching for beetles and other insects. The hike to Tree Top Walk had to be abandoned due to bad weather.
The Clouded Monitor is often mistaken for the Malayan Water Monitor due to similarity in appearance. The Clouded Monitor is distinguished by the position of the nostrils which lie mid-way between the eye and snout.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

This is the mouth of Sungei Buloh Besar with the town of JB forming the backdrop. Click on the above photo for high-res image
There are three walking trails in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR). On my previous visits, I managed to complete "Route One" and "Route Two" but somehow I took a wrong turning and missed the "Tower Hide".
This morning I visited SBWR again and chose to do "Route Three" which is approximately 7 km long. It took me about 4 hours to complete this trail. This time with the aid of a trail map I made it to the "Tower Hide". Here are some pictures that I took from the top level of the "Tower Hide" :-
Can you see the "Bird Observation Hide" on the left ?Click on the above photo for high-res imageAnother view from the topClick on the above photo for high-res imageDuring the course of my hike, I came across quite a number of Malayan Water Monitor Lizards (Varanus salvator) sunning themselves. There is a large community inhabiting the Aquatic Pond. Another common sight is the "Common Sun Skinks" and the "White-breasted Waterhen". The star attraction of SBWR is of course the migratory birds that feed on the mudflats. I couldn't get any good shots with my camera as they were out of range. Time to get a more powerful zoom ?
Whilst on the way back to the car park, I spied a "Pink-necked green pigeon" (Treron vernans) feeding on the the ripened fruits of a palm tree. Here is the shot :
Pink-necked Green PigeonClick on the above photo for high-res imageWhen I next come back to SBWR again, I intend to explore the 2 km long "Kranji Nature Trail" which is the green corridor linking two wetlands, the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Reservoir Park.

Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will tour China and Singapore in October, performing two concerts in Beijing, one in Shanghai as part of the prestigious China Shanghai International Arts Festival and two in Singapore.

Photo Credit: Mark Lyons
Tour at a Glance

• Friday, October 21: Beijing, Great Hall of the People

• Saturday, October 22: Beijing, Great Hall of the People

• Monday, October 24: Shanghai,* Shanghai Grand Stage

• Wednesday, October 26: Singapore, Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay

• Thursday, October 27: Singapore, Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay

Esplanade — Theatres on the Bay is Singapore’s national performing arts center. It boasts superb adjustable acoustics — by world-renowned acoustician Russell Johnson — found only in four other halls globally.

I have two of the Pops recordings, both are on TELARC label. One is "Time Warp" with Don Dorsey on the synthesizer keyboard and the other is "Round-up".