Rojak Librarian

Crimson-Winged or Banded Woodpecker?

2008-01-05T17:31:00.000+08:00

Was at Ubin this morning and with a few more private property fences removed, i decided to explore one of the many "durian dusun" (durian orchard) over there...not in search of Ubin durians, but rather woodpeckers !!...

I was rewarded with this sightings i took using my digitial camera.

Not really an expert in bird id and lacking eye for the minute details, i was slightly confused...although still very much happy to see 4-5 woodpeckers on the orchard i was in.

Initially i thought it was a Banded woodpecker(picus miniaceus), but from the description from the book -A Field Guide to Birds of Southeast Asia by Craig Robson describing the differences between Banded vs Crimson Winged (picus puniceus), i felt that what i say and with the pics above and below,this is a Crimson-winged woodpecker.

Unless of course i took pics of different woodpeckers !! (i.e both banded and crimson)

If any experts out there have any constructive comments , i would be glad to receive some.

A nice morning walk in Ubin

2007-11-24T21:48:00.001+08:00

Finally back in Ubin after a long break (i was away on holiday in Yunnan) and was rewarded in the morning with a sighting of a Hornbill. It was only 15m from me and obviously enjoying himself having a nice papaya breakfast.

Other sightings include confirmed sighting of Straw Headed Bulbul, Brahminy Kite and Dollar Bird. Unable to clearly id a plover and a beautiful woodpecker (olive color on breast). I am so rusty !!!!!

One of the little wonders of ubin is the quarry nearest to jetty that has become a confirmed nesting ground for Grey Herons and "hang-out of little, intermediate and even a couple of Great Egrets.

Just spent about two and half hours in Ubin and was overjoyed with such sightings. Can't wait to go again.

Chek Jawa - Part II

2007-08-16T11:22:00.000+08:00

More photos from Chek Jawa and it's surrounding.

Chek Jawa revisited -Part I

2007-08-16T11:11:00.000+08:00

I have not been back to Chek Jawa since NParks took over and made it mandatory to register...so here i am again ...4 Aug 07. (again, i didn't register as it was already full -but i decided to just go anyway by myself). You can still go folks, but do take note -you can only take the Board walk and not go down to the sand banks of Chek Jawa.

The main thing you will notice after passing a gate is the new information counter manned by NParks with a ceiling fan above. (wah so modern already)

View of Chek Jawa -just some photos

Check out my next postings for pictures of chek jawa board walk and its surrounding area.

Sime Forest Butterflies

2007-08-06T11:52:00.000+08:00

Sime Forest Butterflies -again, i not an expert, but i thought i share with you on this.

Sime Forest Amphibians

2007-08-06T11:40:00.000+08:00

Some images of the wild life around Sime Forest. Don't know what frog and lizard it is but if any experts familiar with amphibians, can comment?

St George's Church, Singapore (Red-brick building)

2007-06-29T10:47:00.000+08:00

How many of you out there love Red Brick Building's ? Well, i do ! The first building i work in had red bricks for it's facade (the old Marine Parade Library-now turned in NTUC Fair Price.

This are some photos from St. George's Church, Minden Road (off Tanglin). Reading their website, this beautiful Anglican Church was built in 1911 for the British soldiers based around that area which was then a military barracks.

And finally, the place is lovely because of the wonderful and old Tembusu trees around the church.

.

Python having lunch

2007-06-22T18:03:00.001+08:00

Got this photo while visting Singapore Botanical Gardens. A baby python in the process of having lunch !(a squirrel). We all know for a fact the squirrel is already dead, but there were some people asking the National Park officer's to save the squirrel.

Getting worried, a N-Park volunteer brought the python to safety....Phew !

The old Commando building revisited (Changi Village)

2007-06-22T17:49:00.000+08:00

Here are some photos from the old commando building before it is turned to a Spa or something like that. I believe URA have called a tender to turn this building together with the old changi village into commercial and economically viable building.

Another view of the building

Finally some ex-commandoes might recognised this ! I believe many a good old BBQ's was held here..

View inside one of the many hall ways of the old commando camp.

Profile of the main entrance.

R E 1936

Profile of building

Brahminy Kite

2007-06-19T11:52:00.000+08:00

Spotted this Brahminy Kite in Sg Buloh during our walks in April 07. Interestingly it was on a mangrove tree very close to the board walk. It was doing self-grooming,cleaning its feathers fully aware we are around but did nothing !

Seal Making Love

2007-06-07T15:33:00.000+08:00

Took a video of this when i was at Pier 39, Fisherman Wharf, San Francisco. Enjoy, my fellow nature lovers.

Trip to Sebana Cove, Pengerang Johor to watch fireflies

2007-04-09T16:30:00.001+08:00

A friend invited us over to Sebana Cove, Pengerang Johor, Malaysia. Since i am not a golfer and neither do i intend to play golf..My initial reaction was a bit slow.

But anyway's,we packed our back and departed via Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Check-in, etc went smoothly and it only takes 35-40 minutes before we arrive at Sebana Cove which has it's on jetty,customs, etc. That and the fact the hotel is only a stone's throw away after clearing immigration.

It was a trip to see Fireflies at night around the mangrove swamp area surrounding Sebana and definitely we were not disappointed ! They were many many mangrove trees that looked lighted up like Christmas trees.

The ship that brought us to Sebana

Morning Mist in Sebana

Mirror in the morning
A nice mirror mirage of Sebana Cove.

Sebana Cove Jetty in the morning
This is the view of Sebana cove in the morning with the mist in place.

Firefly Watch
Photos from the firely watch..Too dark to show you the fireflies though.

Hornbill
Oriental Piped Hornbill that flew across our heads just before heading back to jetty for home.

Library Assistant jailed

2006-11-20T22:48:00.000+08:00

Aiyoh !this guy gave librarianship a bad name ! ...a library staff from Hong Kong was sentenced to two months jail for molesting Ella Koon Yun, a singer /actress. Mr Law Hin-Fat, 24, a trainee library assistant grabbed the star and forcibly kissed her during a televised show at Hong Kong's Gold Coast

Definitely this "trainee"needs to be fired !!

"Loner kisses freedom goodbye", The Standard Sat-Sun, Nov 18-19, 2006

Penang -the sights and mostly Penang laksa

2006-08-03T22:16:00.000+08:00

Made a trip to Penang on the 28th June to stock up my tummy on good old Penang food, Penang laksa........

We went to Air Itam to take a look at the famous temple.......and use that has a good excuse to catch on Penang laksa....

And by the way photos of the work in progress Kwan Yin Ma...

Collared Scoop owl "captured" in the afternoon

2006-06-21T21:12:00.000+08:00

Captured this images of what i believe is a collared scoop owl outside of geylang east library today at 12.30 in the afternoon. What captured our attention was the fact that two house crows were harrasing /pecking/scratching the owl and we quickly rush in and chase the crows away before they could do
anymore damage.

The crows did not fly away far but stayed closed to see whether they could do more damage !!!

Hence we "policed the situation"for another few minutes and even haboured thoughts on how we can safe it and pass is to the good folks in nature society..

I approached closer and manage to get some shots using my nokia handphone of the owl...before it flew away, followed closely by one crow..i tried to give chase but could not see anymore where they flew....Hope the owl managed to get away........

A interesting experience indeed to see an owl in broad day light as well as pesky crows in action !!!!!

I found out from the Bird Ecology Group's blog that this has happened before. I encourage you to go to their blog. It is a really must read blog for true bird lovers and people who really are interesting in studying the behaviour of birds in the wild....

Interesting unknown tree along Tampines St 12

2006-06-06T21:19:00.000+08:00

Spotted this tree [can't recognise it ] along Tampines Street 12, in front of Tampines Sec School.

Really interesting as the pods or seeds [?] seems to come out directly from the trunk itself..

The end of the old Changi General Hospital ?

2006-06-06T20:59:00.000+08:00

Saying goodbye to old Changi General Hospital

Hi folks..

Read in the papers in May 27 or 26 (read about it online too from Channel NewsAsia) that it will be on a public tender for reuse by the Singapore Land Authority. In short it could end up as an hostel.. Not to pre-judge on this, but well..the ghostly charm could be gone soon !!.

Anyway took the opportunity to revisit the place again and here are some of the photos i took using my Nokia Handphone (2 megapixel)

My posting appeared on Tomorrow.sg

2006-03-01T00:34:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, my "buaya" posting appeared on Tomorrow.sg - a bulletin of Singapore bloggers..

Kind of feel like i belong to a virtual community of fellow Singapore bloggers now....sob sob..

Thanks ssf for taking time to read and for submitting the article on the estuarine crocodile to tomorrow.sg.

Sg Buloh indeed is a jewel of a place. Every visit reveals different wonders.... Do visit the place every year if you can folks !!

Sungai Buloh -19 Feb 06 (more shots)

2006-02-20T00:41:00.000+08:00

Picture of a Stork-billed kingfisher

Picture of a unknown spider

Picture of a unknown spider 2

Estuarine Crocodile at Sg Buloh, Singapore.

2006-02-19T23:48:00.000+08:00

Left (Epiphyte -Dischida major which has symbosis with ants)

Below (Grey Heron perch on dead mangrove trunk)

Started another memorable day with a trip to Sg. Buloh to look at shore birds /migratory birds as was rewarded with this shot on our way back after a usual birdwatching trip. Yup it is wild estuarine crocodile spotted near the main bridge of visitor centre...(btwn hide 1 and 1a). It was just lying still basking in the shade of the sun. It is about 1.6 m long and i was told by one of the Sg. Buloh volunteers (Keith), it is about 2 years old only...!!!!

Just imagine how big it will be in a couple of years time !!!!
wow....

Hope to spot an otter next time.. Btw, we saw a Painted Stork in flight as well !!!!!!

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Some of the birds we saw today (my guess-timates)
At the main bridge
Grey Heron (1)
White-breasted waterhen (2)
Black crown night heron (1)
Little heron (1)
Little egrets (2-5)
Intermediate egrets

At various locations in Sg Buloh
Painted Stork
Whimbrel (lots of them !! haha)
Pacific Golden Plover (4-5)
Marsh Sandpiper (8-10)
Terek Sandpiper ( 2-3)
Common redshank ( a few)
Common greenshank ( a few)
Stork-billed Kingfisher (one)
Plovers - but don't know which...
Collared kingfisher (1)
Great Egret (3)
Intermediate Egret (13-16)
Little Egret (13-16)
Cinamon bittern (1)
Sunbird -not sure which? (2)

Frasier Hill -the wild life

2006-02-13T22:44:00.000+08:00

Some of the wild life shots we got during our visit to Fraser Hill. The Rhino beetle just outside our room !!

While walking around, i almost stepped on a green snake. Closer inspection, i thought it was dead as it has flesh coming out of its face, but.....nooooo....!! it was still alive......aiyoh..roll-over but still alive and suffering..poor thing. According to me friend, it is called Pope's Pit Viper....

How about the cute blue "ulat beluncas" a.k.a. before i become a butterfly....(don't know what the hell it is)..haahahh

Fraser Hill -food

2006-01-27T11:27:00.000+08:00

Food at Fraser Hill

located over 1500 metres above sea level, there is still good food !! Yes believe me man..Take a look at what we had on a cold and wet afternoon in Fraser Hill.

Heavenly scones with strawberry jam and cream !!

This place is Ye Olde Smokehouse Hotel Fraser's Hill - Jalan Jeriau (Tel:609-3622226 Fax: 609-3622035).

The whole place is really quaint and going in is a step into a typical English house. We had tea here and on our last night, we had a lovely dinner here too...

From the outside, this is how the Ye Olde Smokehouse looks like.......

Fraser Hill

2006-01-27T10:22:00.000+08:00

We planned for this trip sometime back and finally we went. Me and 3 other friends when on this trip together on 7 -10 Jan . Fraser Hill is located 1500 metres above sea-level in the state of Pahang on the Titwangsa Range . Titwangsa range also boast places like Genting Highlands (for the high-rollers) and Cameron Highlands.

Leaving Singapore
We took a train via Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM)-SGD $30. This is my first time taking a train out of Singapore. While waiting for the train to depart(22:15 hrs), we had dinner at the train stesen. The food was good (mutton soup, fried rice, etc).

Arriving at KL
Arrived KL sentral at 7am very tired..as i didn't get too much sleep. Next time, try the sleeping berths ok.haha..Getting too old and becoming a creature of comfort. Recovered after kopi at McDonalds .From KL sentral,we got a cab for RM$140 , from a taxi standard counter at KL Sentral.

Onwards to Fraser Hill
Our taxi driver was a nice man named John and that made the trip to Fraser Hill, a good one.
The trip took us past Kuala Kubu Bahru. Had 2nd breakfast there. Yummy yummy. On our way after and after passing thru the "Gap" - a section of 8 km road that is only one way or one direction at a time. (So if you are travelling up/down Fraser, take note of the gap operating times). Fraser Hill is cloudy and misty !!!!

Arrived finally at our home for the next three days - Jelai Highlands Resort, (tel- 609-3622600/HP-019-388 9002 /fax -609-3622604). A 2-standard bed is RM110 (which includes breakfast). The place itself is pretty neat but everything felt damp...

Scenary around Fraser Hill
We started by taking a walk to the town center where the Post office, food and grocery shop is located. Most of the trails were close for some sort of renovation, Abu Suradi Trail (closed), Bishop's Trail (closed)..only Hemmant and Rompin Trail seem to be opened. There are a few quaint black and white houses legacy of the British. Fraser Hill was named after this dude named James Louis Fraser in the late 1890's, a miner. Fraser vanished one day while bringing back crude tin ore....He has remain"lost" till this day. Last year some young boy's got lost in the jungles of Fraser Hill. Malaysian Ranger and Voluntary soldier's could not find them.. It took the help of the Sultan of Pahang who asked an örang asli for assistance. This dude did what many did not - follow the boys trail and found them alive and well...Power lah !!

Check out my next posting(s) on food and wildlife in Fraser Hill...

Changi Hospital - I

2005-11-06T11:59:00.000+08:00

The view from Changi Hospital overlooking the straits.
Some remnants of a once functional Hospital.

Changi Hospital

2005-11-06T11:43:00.000+08:00

The view of the corridors from two different floors within the building (2nd and third floor)