Time Lapse

16th April 2008.

The day we had our long awaited picnic trip. Happy 6 Years 2 Months Anniversary Jojo. Loving every single minute spent with you.

Jojo suggested that I ‘water mark’ the picture to give them a sense of identity; so every picture you see here and on Flickr is ‘water marked’ personally by the missus. Here are some of the pictures that I took; more to be posted up soon or you can visit my Flickr photostream at the right. Please feel free to comment!

P.S : I have a weak heart. =D

Gearing up before ‘The Expedition’.

Arrival at the gates.

The Theme: Global Warming.

My perspective : I am the judge of what I see and what I love.

Pretty stupid? I think otherwise.

Was walking around with Jojo hoping to capture sights and images for what I deem would be suitable for the upcoming Capture Nature Environmental Digital Photography Competition. What struck me at first was to take a picture of the endangered polar bear drowning in the ever rising sea water. But then again; impossible. ( They can swim =D)

The next obvious choice for all Singaporeans for a cheap thrill of nature would be the reputable Singapore Botanic Gardens. Feeling rather lost at first, we chanced upon the first difficult shot with us ’stealthily’ following that damn bird like hungry hyenas giggling the way through.

That damn birdy.

Aligned, poised and composed, I was about to shoot away the moment it turned its head. The next thing you know, Jojo took a step forward and it scared the shit out of the bird and it flew away frantically. Thanks alot -.-

And what do you know, I only managed to grab this crap shot. She should not have worn her hot pink tube on that day; screwed up the first shot, possibly the best one.

Anyhoos, the day changed for the worst as the freakishly hot sun was blocked by this big rain cloud and it started pouring. Did not manage to get a shot though as we were running for cover and protecting the camera. *Laughs*

A Lifeless Earth.

That is according to what they call it. Funny how, but our first random stop left us entering the Evolution Garden in which they exhibit the time phases in which they presume the earth evolved into. There was nothing much to it except for the VAST amount of plants. Trust me, they made the place suit its name.

Mostly covered in moss.

After FINALLY exiting the Evolution Garden which took almost forever, we were at the same place at which we entered. Who the shit places both the entrance and exits at the same place when the whole park is as big or even bigger than a golf course!

Filled with frustration of the bad weather and the darn mosquito bites, we spent about 10 minutes pissed at ourselves; but actually we were 100% lost.

Reach.

Trekking through Botanic Gardens was one of the shitty-est things. If you are considering to go with a big camera bag, 3 different types of lenses, please bring along a butler. Take it from me; I brought my personal assistant =D. Thanks a lot Jojo for being my portable lens carrier!

Hybrid. Don’t ask me why.

To think that only animals cross breed. Was kinda surprised to see this ‘mutated’ mimosa like plant well camouflaged beneath a bunch of ‘butterfly flowers’. Probably the use of fertilizers screwed up its colouration? Who knows.

Butterfly flower.

Cluster.

Absolutely love this cluster of flowers. Don’t really know the species of these flowers but who gives! It makes a nice picture! Three cheers to the weather as well!

A Hibiscus Flower.

To assume is to make an ASS out of U and ME. That was how we both felt at the moment we saw this hibiscus. The orientation of a hibiscus flower is so unique that assuming everyone who has seen one would KNOW it was a hibiscus. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Jojo wouldn’t know what it is; BUT SHE ACTUALLY SAID IT WAS AN ORCHID!!! WA TOR HUI (vomit blood)!!

Revelation of the sun.

Got Jojo to pull down the ferns (I suppose) before taking the shot of it in front of the emerging sun from the dark clouds. It was tough work though with reluctant Jojo, as I was initially holding the stalk of the fern with one hand and the heavy camera in the other.

The Microsoft background picture.

Ha. That’s what I call it. Started snacking on our homemade burgers right after laying down the ground sheet and basked in the nice shade created by a big tree. I seized the opportunity zooming in to capture the massive emptiness of the plastic golf bag which a cute young girl was trying desperately to score; only to see that the little girl actually stopped playing after we arrived.

Acorn?

Yes, I know the focus is wrong.

Of all 500 over shots I took, I suddenly got the feeling that I am being endorsed to take pictures for Fern Leaf. But they are really nice plants though; practically all around Botanic Gardens. Read on.

Pores of a fern.

The above is one of the most common types of ferns around the Botanic Gardens; those that u can find clinging on a tree. This one laid there and it looked as though it was being placed on the ground deliberately by someone working in the park. This was the neatest of all the leaves except for the slit and I have to shift quite a bit before managing to get this shot as it was located on the underside of the big leaf.

Ents?

Fern Leaf!

Found this little fella growing on the above tree. It was kinda of a difficult shot as I had to step on all the fertilizers and the soggy mud to get as close to the tree. Thankfully, it turned out okay if not I’ll use my own natural fertilizers the next time I see that tree again.

Roots.

Freeze : Bread Crumbs.

We sat by Swan Lake feeding the tortoises and fishes with the left overs of our bread while I browsed around in search of the damn swans. Why call it Swan Lake when there are only 2 of them? Was seriously expecting more but yet again, they looked unfriendly up close. This one even tried to chew my slipper as i was busy focusing on its head.

Bad Bad Swan.

With the zoom lens, I actually feel like a paparazzi taking shots of people without them noticing but only to find that we were being stalked. While Jojo and I were busy on a free bread distribution madness, we turned to look around only to find that we are being surrounded by pigeon-like birds. After much effort trying to shoo away the disturbing 2 legged stalkers with wings, we gave up and eventually gave them some of our bread.

Looks harmless but they ARE annoying!

Hollywood?

You won’t be able to miss this; it is presumably the tallest tree in the park. I only took the top portion of the tree as half of it are swarmed by trees of the same species only shorter.

P.S : This really EXISTS at Botanic Gardens.

After spending the entire afternoon gathering shots and picnicking, we were limping out of the Botanic Gardens drenched in perspiration and mixed feelings.

I would consider and re-consider about going to there again although we only manage to cover half of the entire ground area. It is amazing how one’s feelings can change so quickly with the same concept applying to every moment worthy of a shot.

They say life is about learning lessons; and I have already learnt mine today. Cheers.

Home Sweet Home.