NPX: How long have you been dabbling in nature photography?

Chris- Well my photography started by accident… I was buying and selling cameras and got stuck with one that I could not or rather was not able to get rid of because of the price. Your question would then be how the hell did I get into selling and buying cameras in the first place. Okay, I was working with a shipping line and my job was to go on aboard the ships to do paper work like clearing immigration, customs and etc, so I get to meet with the ship’s crew who sometimes runs out of money, so they sell anything that could fetch them money, and that is how I got into it and that was 25 years ago. I did stop pursuing this hobby for a while due to work commitment and picked up again 5 years ago.

NPX: What do you like particularly about it?

Chris – Photography to me is like challenging yourself to keep improving, as long as you are still not happy with what you have you keep learning from others you consider to be better than you, and the creativity side of it when it might be a masterpiece to some and it can also be rubbish to others, it has no boundary.

NPX: How did you learn photography techniques?

I had the opportunity to join a local Photography Club back in Penang.

NPX: Were there any photographer(s) that you like and influenced your style?

I do not really have a style or follow anyone in particular. I am more into improving my techniques rather than having a personal style, because I still consider my photography at a learning stage adn still a lot of room for improvement.

NPX: What are the stuff in your dry cabinet? If you can only bring one lens out on your trip, which one will that be?

Well I have lot of stuff, but my main gears consist of 3 bodies (1DMK3, 50D and 40D). For lenses I have the Canon 500mm, 300mm, 70-200mm, 24-105mm, 135mm f/2.8, 17-40mm and Tamron 180mm. Plus the normal accessories like flash, cable release etc……

NPX: Which is your favourite bird species and why?

Actually I have several favourite species ie the Trogons, Barbets and Broadbills. I like them due to their stunning colors and the difficulty in capturing a good shots of them.

NPX: Which other genres of nature photography you’d like to pursue in the future? Why is it so?

Well I started off with macro and I still do like macro apart from brids, but if opportunity arises, I would like to shoot African wild life.

NPX: While pursuing your hobby, what is your most memorable moment to date?

At the moment it is the first time I when to Bukit Tinggi accidentally also my first time using the newly bought 500mm lens.

NPX: What are the challenges you’ve faced?

Not enough focal length.

NPX: Any word of advise for beginners starting out on nature photography?

Never give up, learn to enjoy the hobby and dont worry about the equipment. Just keep shooting!

NPX: Please share with us a couple of your favourite images accumulated over the years. Please describe to us why you like these images.

These images are not the best technically, but I like them all the same.

This is my very first raptor shot when I started to learn how to shoot birds

and the above was my very first decent macro shot.

NPX: Thanks for taking the time for this interview.

My pleasure..

You can visit Chrisli gallery @ http://www.flickr.com/gp/9536690@N08/unS760

Author: Mendis Tan, Senior Outreach Officer (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve)

Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>

Photographs and article are copyright of Mendis Tan

Introduction

This article serves to highlight the wealth of flora and fauna that is available in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for the photographer and nature lover. I will try to cover as many areas of the reserve and their potential for bird photography as much as possible.

Map of Sungei Buloh

Visitor Centre

Around the visitor centre, near the bird feeder, there are opportunities to shoot tailorbirds, pink-necked pigeons, yellow vented bulbuls, crimson sunbirds and other common but still beautiful local residents of SBWR.

At the café

Around the pond area, photographic opportunities are many too. The resident ‘injured’ Purple Heron likes to hunt around the pond next to the café. Further, there are many species of dragonflies flying around the pond too.

Mangrove Boardwalk

From the start of the boardwalk onwards, migratory passerines like the crow billed Drongo and Asian paradise flycatcher can be spotted. Even the uncommon Blue Winged Pitta and forest wagtail are common visitors of the lush mangrove forest there.

Crow-billed Drongo at Mangrove Boardwalk

At the Main bridge

Look out for flight shots of egrets, pied fantails and the infamous stork billed kingfisher. Or, you could just sit at the shelter and enjoy the scenery of the Sungei Buloh Besar. During the migratory season, one can always hear the changeable hawk eagle calling and soaring in the sky.

Main Hide

Right out of the main bridge is the main hide. The main hide overlooks two ponds that are specially designed to attract shore birds to rest. The openness of the two ponds is ideal for shorebirds; who prefers the open space to watch out for raptors. Further, the shorebirds can move around freely just right in front of the hide; one of the closest one can get to the birds.

Pacific Golden Plover at Main Hide

Turning left at the main hide, the photographer may run into many tailorbirds; both ashy and common species. Further, during the migratory season, arctic warblers, asian paradise flycatchers, sunbirds and even the common kingfisher can be spotted if one is observant enough. I certainly advocate a 300mm or 400mm on standby while walking on this trail.

Screen 1.1

Once you reach screen 1.1, you may be able to see shorebirds close up. Lucky ones may even see Painted Storks or Milky Storks feeding during low tides. It has been reported that the common kingfisher can be found at this screen. Personally, I have not seen the kingfisher around this screen yet

Eurasian Curlew in flight at screen 1.1

Screen 1.2 and hide 1B and Platform 1 are quiet spots for birding. Of course, Platform 1 is a very scenic location overseeing the coast. I find this spot very nice.

Further down this route is platform 2. This is a favourite location for raptors and herons in flight. One could find sea eagles and ospreys hunting. Further, Great Grey herons and Great egrets could be flying around platform 2. Best times to come to this platform are around 8am onwards until 9plus am and 4pm onwards till closing time.

Hide 1C

Walking further will bring you to my favourite hide; Hide 1C. During high tides, this hide is the best location to shoot shorebirds. Once you find the high tide timing, make sure you arrive here 1 or 2 hours before. You will have the chance to shoot some flight shots of the shorebirds moving from island to island as the tides move up. Further, when the tide is up, all the shorebirds will congregate at one location quite near the right side of the hide.

Black-tailed Godwit at Hide 1C

Asian Dowitcher at Hide 1C

This ends part 1 of this article. Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3.

End of Part 1.
___________________above article, photographs contributed and copyright of Mendis Tan

Author & Editor

Author: Arthur

Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>

Photographs and article are copyright of Arthur

A Brief Introduction

There are many good birding sites out there, but without the aids of cars or guild, these sites may not be easily accessible, especially for foot soldiers and newbies. So, where is the next best place to go for birding? Well, the answer is of course your neighbourhood parks.

Whenever I have the time on the weekends, I would love to go to my neighbourhood park, Singapore Botanic Gardens for a stroll in the morning or evening to enjoy a moment of peace and distress myself after a hard week of working.

Located at Cluny Road and just minutes bus journey from my home, the Singapore Botanic Gardens epitomises the tropical island’s luxuriant parks. Spread over 52 hectares and close to the centre of the city, the Gardens showcase many outstanding plant collections and species of birds.

Opening Hours

5.00am – 12.00 midnight (daily)

Website

http://www.sbg.org.sg/

Getting There

Bus services going to the Gardens are:

SBS No. 7, 105, 123, 174 and TIBS No. 75, 77 and 106 along Holland Road

SBS No. 66, 151, 153, 154, 156, 170, 186 and TIBS No. 67, 171 along Bukit Timah Road

Address

Cluny Road, Singapore 259569

Birds found in Singapore Botanic Gardens

Singapore Botanic Gardens is a heaven for photography, be it landscape, portraiture, macro or birding, the gardens will definitely have something to install for everyone. My favorite ‘hanging out’ ground is mainly the surrounding of the Rainforest Walk, Symphony Lake and Eco-Lake because these are the few places the birds like to ‘hang around’.

Singapore Botanic Gardens is a big public park, so when and where can I find all these birds?

To answer your question, I have compiled some brief information on the best locations and the best timing to locate our feathered friends. Kindly refer to the table below.

Along with the table are some images of the species that I have captured during my past visits to the park.

Abbreviations and special notes

Area

RW – Rainforest Walk

SL – Symphony Lake

EL – Eco-Lake

SWL – Swan Lake

AOG – All Over the Gardens

GG – Ginger Garden

EG – Evolution Garden

VCTS – Visitor Centre Taxi-Stand (Symphony Lake)

HW – Heliconia Walk

Residential Status

(see under status)
R – Resident

WV – Winter Visitor

V – Visitor

BV – Breeding Visitor

Frequency of sighting

(see under remark)
C – Common

FC – Fairly Common

Ra – Rare

VR – Very Rare

Timing

All species are found most active during 7.30am to 10am, except:

- Red-Legged Crake – 7am to 8am and 6.30pm onwards

- Blacked-Crowned Night Herons – 6.30pm onwards

Common Kingfisher

Winter Visitor, found at Symphony Lake and Eco-Lake

White-Collared Kingfisher

Resident, found at Eco-Lake

Stork-Billed Kingfisher

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Blue-Tailed Bee Eater

Winter Visitor, found at Eco-Lake

Little Heron

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Yellow Bittern

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Purple Heron

Visitor, found at Eco-Lake

White-Bellied Sea Eagle

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Oriental Honey-Buzzard

Winter Visitor, found at Symphony Lake and Eco-Lake

Pink-Necked Green Pigeon

Resident, found all over the Garden

Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker

Resident, found all over the Garden

Pied Fantail

Resident, found at Eco-Lake

Banded Woodpecker

Resident, found all over the Garden

Pacific Swallow

Resident, found all over the Garden

Asian Brown Flycatcher

Winter Visitor, found at Eco-Lake

Brown-Throated Sunbirds

Resident, found at Eco-Lake

Scaly-Breasted Munia

Resident, found at Eco-Lake

Olive-Backed Sunbird (male eclipse)

Resident, Heliconia Walk

Common Iora

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Yellow-Vented Bulbul

Resident, found all over the Garden

Indian Cuckoo

Winter Visitor, found at Evolution Garden

Scarlet-Backed Flowerpecker

Resident, found at Eco-Lake and Symphony Lake

Hill Myna

Resident, found all over the Garden

___________________ above article, photographs contributed and copyright of Arthur

Punggol Grassland during sunset (above)

Author & Editor

Author: Roger Deng

Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>

Photographs and article are copyright of Roger Deng

A little history about Punggol

Kampong Punggol, which was located in the vicinity of the Punggol Jetty, was believed to have existed 200 years ago, even before Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore. It was one of the oldest settlements in Singapore. The original settlers were predominantly Malays. Fishing was then the main activity. Villagers also planted fruits and vegetables.

In Malay, Punggol (also spelled Ponggol), means hurling sticks at the branches of fruit trees to bring the fruits down to the ground. It also refers to a place where fruits and forest produce are offered for wholesale.

The early Chinese immigrants, who settled in Punggol from the mid 19th century onwards, were engaged in plantation work (mainly rubber). As more and more Chinese immigrants settled in Punggol, poultry farming and pig rearing activities flourished. Trading on farm produce, fruits and vegetables was carried out in the marketplace at the former eighth milestone of Punggol Road. The Serangoon River mouth became the docking point for fishing boats where fishermen gathered to sell their catch.

In the 1960s, basic amenities like piped water, electricity, paved roads, and drainage systems were introduced through government and self-help programmes. It was also at this time that television became popular and antennas could be seen installed on many kampong rooftops.

Poultry and pig farms were gradually phased out when redevelopment commenced in the 1970s. Land vacated by resettled farmers were then tendered out on short term leases for non-pollutive agricultural activities (eg. vegetable farming). Punggol was also known for its sumptuous seafood and boatels that provided services like docking and renting of boats for boating, water-skiing and skin-diving lessons. These seafood restaurants and boatels have since been relocated to facilitate reclamation works.

abstract from http://www.ura.gov.sg/dgp_reports/punggol/int-hist.html

With recent infrastructure developments in Punggol, this formally rural and nature paradise is fast becoming a very urbanized residential & recreational area. But there is still plenty of nature photography opportunity there if you do look carefully.

One place that immediately comes to mind for nature photography will be the Punggol Grassland. Ask any seasoned birder where that is and you will most likely be greeted with a reply “BSK ground”, which simply means that this place is famous for spotting the Black Shouldered Kites.

On good days in the past, if you make a trip in the early morning to the Punggol grassland, you will most likely be greeted by Black-Shouldered Kites (below) at the entrance which leads into the grassland. With recent construction works around there, its harder to find them but the last I checked, they are still making a good living, hunting the grounds of Punggol.

Follow the link to view the location on the map for Punggol Grassland. [1]

But there is more species of birds to spot in the grassland apart from the BSKs. Over the years, birders combed this off-road grassland with their precious sedans, SUVs , vans, jeeps and even lorries to get up close to photograph the various birds available there.

The Bee-eaters (above), mainly the blue-tailed and blue-throated, are one of the more common species that you can see during their migratory period. They tend to breed and nest in groups and can be a handful to photograph as they are really fast and action packed.

Various species of shrikes (above) can also be found there. Mainly the Tiger Shrike, Brown Shrike and Long-Tailed Shrike. Just like with other birds, they are seasonal except for the Long-Tailed which are available throughout the year.

Another commonly found species are the woodpeckers (above). Mainly the Sunda, Common Flameback and the Rufous woodpeckers. Best time to spot theese birds are in the early morning and usually on the dead trees.

And if you are lucky, you might be able to spot these other raptors (above) coming down close for a photographic opportunity. The Peregrine Falcon, Braminy Kite and White Bellied Sea Eagles are the more commonly spotted raptors circling the skies and occasionally hunting in the open fields or river.

There is no lack of waders (above) visiting the Punggol’s coastal lines, drains and canals during their migratory period (September to March). The Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Pacific Golden Plover and Greater Painted Snipes have been spotted around in Punggol over the years.
There are other species of birds that could be spotted in Punggol, mainly …

Richard’s Pipit, Lesser Coucal, Yellow Vented Bulbul, Black Headed Bulbul, Peaceful Dove, Spotted Dove, Scaly-Breasted Munia, Baya-Weaver, Pink Necked Green Pigeons, Pied Fantail, Olive-backed sunbird, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, White throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher…just to name a few.

The other place within Punggol where one can also check out is Punggol Park where there is also plenty of bird life. There is a man-made pond and a large canal at the rear of the park where there is also plenty of bird life and action.

View the link for the map of Punggol Park [2]

But if you are interested to sidetrack your journey a little bit to view a historical structure, you could visit the Matilda House (above-image taken in IR) which is across the road and within 5 mins walking distance from Punggol MRT.

Read more about the Matilda House history from this link. [3]

And if you venture around further towards into the Punggol Marina area, you will see Punggol Beach (above). There is little bird activities here but it is a nice place to catch the sunset and perhaps do some fishing.
If you do want to visit Punggol for birding, its best to go in a car as the public transport is not exactly convienient and accessible to these areas.

But in case you do use the train, use the North East line train route and alight at Punggol MRT Station. Then hop on to a LRT train and alight at Oasis Station to reach the Punggol Grassland.

Bus Service 82 from the Punggol MRT station will bring you to Punggol Beach.

Bus Service 136 from the Punggol MRT station will bring you to Punggol Park.
___________________ above article, photographs contributed and copyright of Roger Deng

Author: Jw73

Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>
Photographs and article are copyright of Jw73

Landscape shot of the Kelong walk, 1D2 28mm

Facts

Admission: Free

Opening time: 7 days a week, 365 days, 24 hrs

Getting there: Bus service No 2 and 29. Parking at carpark near Changi Ferry Terminal and Changi Food Centre or at the Changi Sailing Club

Description: It is 2.6-km long and 2.4m wide, located on the western part of Changi Point in Singapore. The boardwalk faces north-northwest to northeast for much of its length. The Changi Boardwalk consists of six distinct sections: from west to east, Sunset Walk, Kelong Walk, Cliff Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Beach Walk and Creek Walk

References : [1]

Bird Photography

Tucked away from the urbanised Singapore city, the boardwalk is one of mine favorite hangouts for photography and strolling. This boardwalk starts from the Changi Beach Club to Changi Sailing Club.

My highlighted area of the walk will be the Kelong walk (around Changi Beach Club). Walking along the kelong-like platform, you will soon realize that the area is a home for the Asian Glossy Starlings. The poles placed artificially into the seabed were a perfect place for them to nest where disturbance by the park users are kept minimum. During April to May, there might be a chance of seeing the Dollar bird nesting on one of the poles too.

Even without these nestlings, if you stand on the boardwalk long enough you will likely to see White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahminy Kites, Little Heron, Grey Heron, Osprey, Black napped terns or the Collar Kingfisher fly by. These flying birds are great subjects to practice your flight shots as they do come real close at times. Lots of patience is still required.

Equipment suitable to be used in this area is the 300mm to 600mm lens.
Asian Glossy Starlings nest

10D, 70-300mm

Dollar Bird

1Dm2 600mm w 1.4x

White-Bellied Sea Eagle

1Dm2 600mm w 1.4x

Brahminy kite feasting fresh catch

1Dm2 600mm w 1.4x

This Sea Eagle came too close for my 600mm while doing a dive to catch the fish

1Dm2 600mm

___________________above article, photographs contributed and copyright of Jw73