Crimson-Winged or Banded Woodpecker?

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

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

More photos from Chek Jawa and it's surrounding.

Chek Jawa revisited -Part I

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

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

Sime Forest Amphibians

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)

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.

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Python having lunch

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)

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

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 !