#wildlife #singapore stories. An Angry Brown #anole lizard intimidated me.

 

 

 

Have you ever seen an angry lizard in the Bird Paradise? The Bird Paradise is for birds, not lizards. I was surprised to see one reptile.

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE - AN ANGRY BROWN ANOLE INTIMIDATED ME.
Doctor Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
Educational Video created: 4 Jan 2026

20 Oct 2025 was a warm bright sunshine blue skies morning to connect with Nature. Many tourists posed for photographs at the Orchid Waterfall Garden with the orchids as a backdrop.

Some were less than two feet away from this lizard lying on a low tree stump amid the orchid flowers.

This Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) was a small brown lizard lying on a low tree stump amid the orchid flowers. Since he stayed put, I photographed and videoed him from a distance of six feet.

Head-bobbing up and down. It looked like he was doing push ups to appear bigger. His red dewlap which is skin below his throat ballooned out 3 times in succession and then once more.

I knew he was intimidating  me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard during my past decade of Nature journalling.

This is a rare video footage of the Anole's communication to make himself look bigger and more intimidating or stronger to attract the female. 

UPDATE:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html

#travelshorts Singapore #Lentor Modern Mall opens in Jan 2026

4372. An Anole lizard intimidated me.

SCRIPT FOR VIDEO 

 

Have you ever seen an angry lizard in the Bird Paradise? The Bird Paradise is for birds, not lizards. I was surprised to see one reptile.

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE - AN ANGRY BROWN ANOLE INTIMIDATED ME.
Doctor Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
Educational Video created: 4 Jan 2026

20 Oct 2025 was a warm bright sunshine blue skies morning to connect with Nature. Many tourists posed for photographs at the Orchid Waterfall Garden with the orchids as a backdrop. 

Some were less than two feet away from this lizard lying on a low tree stump amid the orchid flowers.

This Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) was a small brown lizard found usually in the Caribbean. He was introduced into the Bird Paradise via plants imported by the nurseries.

Since he stayed put, I decided to photograph and video him from a distance of six feet.

Head-bobbing up and down. It looked like he was doing push ups to appear bigger. His red dewlap which is skin below his throat ballooned out 3 times in succession and then once more.

I knew he was intimidating  me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard during my past decade of Nature journalling.

This is a rare video footage of the Anole's communication to make himself look bigger and more intimidating or stronger to attract the female. 

UPDATE:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html

 

 

 

 

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WILDLIFE SINGAPORE - AN ANGRY BROWN ANOLE INTIMIDATED ME.
Doctor Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
Educational Video created: 4 Jan 2026

Have you ever seen an angry lizard in the Bird Paradise?

The Bird Paradise is for birds, not lizards. I was surprised to see one reptile. 

20 Oct 2025 was a warm bright sunshine blue skies morning to connect with Nature. A gentle breeze wafted the fragrance of the orchids at the Orchid Waterfall garden to my nose.

Many tourists posed for photographs with the orchids as a backdrop. Some tourists were less than two feet away from this lizard. They posed, laughed and took selfies. If they were predators, this Anole would be eaten in a flash. 

But the humans didn't faze him. "Faze" is a word that means "to frighten away". 

"These ladies want to look pretty besides the orchids," he thought. "One man did point at me. But people would not spot me as my brown colour camouflaged me on the brown stump!"

He was nonplussed about the posing tourists, as he had become accustomed to them over the weeks.

This Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) is a small brown lizard found usually in the Caribbean. He was introduced into the Bird Paradise via plants imported by the nurseries.

He was alert, eyeing me and fully aware of my presence as I was setting up my Canon R5 camera and positioning my tripod on the soft soil some six feet away. 

I knew he was intimidating  me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard in the past decade of Nature journalling.

 This is a rare video footage of the Anole's communication to make himself look bigger and more intimidating or stronger to attract the female. 

UPDATE: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html

--------------------

I focused on his eyes and shot several images. He was not disconcerted. He did not scurry away unlike most lizards.

Since he stayed put, I decided to video him. This video is a rare footage of a lizard intimidating me!During the past decade, I encountered such behaviours around four times, researched the internet and hence knew what the behaviour meant. 

Head-bobbing up and down. It looked like he was doing push ups to appear bigger.

His red dewlap ballooned out 3 times. I did not back away. He expanded his dewlap once more making him stronger and larger. I knew he was intimidating  me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard in the past decade of Nature journalling. 

This is a rare video footage of the Anole's very short communication as I usually don't have time to video its action.

 
P.S
Why do anioles have a dewlap?

The dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs below the neck. Anoles are not very vocal, so the dewlap provides a communication tool that can be waved like a flag. 
 
When an anole is angry, he flashes his dewlap repeatedly and may perform push-ups and head bobbing to make himself look bigger and more intimidating. 
 
A male displays this behaviour to a female to look stronger and appealing.

UPDATE:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html

------------------------------------------ 

 This is a rare video footage of the Anole's very short communication as I usually don't have time to video its very short duration of head bobbing, push-ups and dewlap ballooning during my past 10 years of Nature journalling.UPDATES, VIDEOS AND IMAGES AT

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.htmlshutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
youtube.com/@99pups

 Anole lizards in Singapore are primarily the non-native Brown Anole (Norops sagrei), an invasive species accidentally introduced via plant shipments around 2012, now widespread in parks and gardens, known for males flashing orange dewlaps and shifting color. While native Green Anoles exist, the Brown Anole population is growing, raising concerns about competition with native species, though they serve as food for some local birds, notes Nature in Singapore. 

 Brown anole "push-ups" are displays of dominance, territorial defense, and mating signals, where males rapidly lift and lower their bodies, often with head bobs and dewlap (throat fan) extensions, to intimidate rivals or attract females, showing off their strength without needing a physical fight. These movements are a key part of their communication, telling other males "back off" and signaling fitness to females. 

 

 

 

 

4371. PHOTOGRAPHY MESS HALL SENTOSA

SINGAPORE - 1 JAN 2026: Originally built as a military recreational club for soldiers in 1904, the Mess Hall at Sentosa is a restored two-storey colonial building housing food and beverage outlets and luxurious accommodation.

Canon R5 97mm tripod
1/100 sec, f/14, ISO 200 

 

 From Hidemasa by Hide Yamamoto’s refined Japanese cuisine, to Royal Taj’s curries and biryani, and Quentin’s Bar and Restaurant’s sophisticated Eurasian dishes, here is our guide on the 3 restaurants at Mess Hall that you have to dine at.

 

 

4370. Heliconia flowers Mess Hall Sentosa 1 Jan 2026

4369. PHOTOGRAPHY of the Yellow Assassin Bug

Cosmolestes picticeps, known as the Yellow Assassin Bug, is a predatory insect in the Reduviidae family, famous for its striking colors and effective hunting method: stabbing prey with its proboscis, injecting toxins to liquefy insides, then sucking them out. This beneficial bug preys on other insects (like aphids and bagworms) and can even sip nectar, making it useful for biological pest control in agriculture, especially oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia. 

 

 

 

 

@HER.VOICES. I raised my son alone and pay for his wedding, but he told his wife I was just a guest.

 

 @HER.VOICES. I raised my son alone and pay for his wedding, but he told his wife I was just a guest.

 I Raised My Son Alone and Pay for His Wedding, But He Told His Wife I Was ‘Just a Guest’

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2xF2LpjUs8&t=929s

 

 

I had to choose me
You forgot where you came from

You don't fix it
You live with it

Slowly, deliberately, without anger

I always stood right in front of you
But you couldn't see me 

 

 

I took the mic, smiled, and began. My name is Mary

46:11

Thompson. For most of my life, I believed love meant sacrifice. I thought being invisible was part of being a good

46:17

mother, a good woman. But I was wrong. You don't have to disappear to matter.

46:22

You don't have to suffer to be worthy. And you don't have to be silent to be respected. I told my story, every

46:29

painful inch of it, the long hours, the broken dreams, the betrayal, the

46:34

awakening. I spoke of how I stopped waiting to be chosen and chose myself. When I finished, the silence was thick

46:41

with emotion. Then came the applause. Not polite, thunderous. As I walked off

46:46

stage, hands reached out to shake mine. Eyes filled with tears. Women whispered,

46:51

"Thank you. That was my story, too. You gave me hope." And then in the crowd

 

near the very back, I saw him. Daniel. He wasn't dressed up. He didn't try to

47:02

come forward. He just stood there still watching. Our eyes met. I didn't smile.

47:07

He didn't wave, but in that quiet second, everything was said. He saw me

47:13

truly, finally, and I saw him. Not as a mistake, not as a wound, but as part of

47:19

a journey that had brought me here. I turned and walked away from the stage, the lights warm on my shoulders. I was

47:25

no longer the woman who waited in corners. I was no longer the mother begging to be recognized. I was Mary

47:31

Thompson, and I had risen. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe and

47:37

feel free to share your story in the comments. Your voice matters.

4367. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: RF lens 75 - 300 mm. Canon R5 - Memecylon caeruleum

A hypanthium is  a structure where basal portions of the calyx, the corolla, and the stamens form a cup-shaped tube. It is sometimes called a floral tube, a term that is also used for corolla tube and calyx tube

 

 

4366. Eve of New Year 2025

 1. Morning. Lentor Loop. 

1. Met Siew, a 90-year-old woman with silver hair, slim. Walk without tongkat for short distances. No balance problem. A few missing front teeth. She spoke Mandarin. Unmarried. Her brother's son whom she cared for, asked her to live with him now. He also had his mother-in-law living with him and 2 adult children. "Thïs nephew's mother didn't love him as a child,"she said. "There are mothers like that," I replied. "They don't want the burden of taking care of kids."

Siew had to help her father who ran a laundry shop in Orchard Road. No school attendance. Father preferred to invest his $50,000 savings in a co-operative which closed down and he lost all money. He didn't want to invest in his house in Oxley which would have had made him very rich. "Nowadays, the government ensures co-operatives don't swindle", Siew said. We talked about my children. She was fortunate to have a nephew who asked her to live with him as she is alone.

2. Evan was very gung-ho. Full of energy. Wanted attention. Went to my ground floor room. Leg paddled his tricycle to Fudu Park. Leg paddled furiously at bend in Fudu Park. Fell and handle of triccyoe hit his right face but no injury. Cried. Comforted by Gema. I took a photo. I pushed Owen in his pram. He was quiet and shook his legs as he enjoyed the outing. Put him near a shrub. He touched the leaves. When his legs were brushed by the leaves, he moved his legs away.

Took some photos of purple flowered plants with zoom lens. Blurry.

3. Afternoon. The Barracks. Two suites rented by LP to watch fireworks. I drove. Tiring. Took some photos. Spoke at length to security guard Gopal 69 who said Tamil Naidu had named children "Lee Kuan Yew"and the migrant workers can tolerate sun for long hours unlike the Chinese Nationals and locals. They grew up in such conditions. They would be thrifty - rice, curry and one vegetable so as to save money for home 

 

Had dinner at Trapizza via buggy ride.
Mediacorp beach party. Loud. 

Took photos of half-flowers in Trapizza and The Mess Hall.

Maia suddenly came to say "Happy New Year" to me and grandma as we left The Barracks to go to N2 house. She avoided my hug but hugged grandma. Hugs cannot be forced.

 Night. 
Noisy karaoke night at N2. Adrial made some small chat and left seat. Angie, 83 talked more when asked about Betty who is into health therapies and whose son Adam Khoo did not attend an uncle's gathering in a Dunearn Road house which has a very long hall, accommodating 100 people easily. Owner has events often.

Toh Chin Chye - a physiologist worked with her father-in-law who lectures on physiology to undergraduates. Her husband, E had said that he would catch stray cats and get paid S$5.00 per cat. Ï   

.    Ït is not easy to catch stray cats,"Angie said in her gentle voice. She was able to converse. Her daughter Joel had a scholarship from Ngee Ann Polytechnci  to study disaster managent and sustainability in Newcaste. NAP stopped giving overseas scholarhip (bond 5 years) after her receipt of scholarhips.

   Ariel studies Masters in Music Therapy now. He appeared overwhelmed by loud Karaoke singing and had closed his eyes a few times. His father didn't attend to usher in New Year but came in the afternoon with the family. He had CAP during long cruise, but had excellent appetite. CAP is Community Acquired Pneumonia.     

Such crowded events are not for me. 

   

4365. ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE -

Her Voices - youtube.com/@HER.VOICES

 

 The crack of my daughter's hand across my face echoed through the cathedral like a gunshot. 300 guest gasped in unison as I stumbled backwards, my cheek burning with the force of her slap. By the time security reached us, Emma was already screaming that I had ruined her perfect day forever.

If you're watching this, subscribe and let me know where you're watching from

Now, let me tell you how a $30 million wedding gift turned into the most humiliating moment of my 67 years on this planet. My name is Sarah Mitchell and until 6 months ago, I thought I know exactly who my daughter was.  23 years of raising her from a broken 5-year-old intgo what I believed was a successful and loving adult, 23 years of bedtime stories, school plays, graduation ceremonies and heart-to-heart conversations about life, love and following your dreams.  

 

 an incredible generous sacrifice
downpayment on house

---annulment. marriage legally void.
 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Case of manipulative entitled daughter
@HER.VOICES
"My daughter banned me from her wedding, but when the groom talked 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6hFNjno8Q0

the mother's bank account signature - forged.
mother reported the fraud. Husband David begged but Sarah
husband's credit card application also forged by Sarah but he covered up for her

 

 

 

 

 

victim of circumstances, bad luck or financial pressures

charged with identity theft and forgery - both felonies

 
22 years of financial support

$87,000 wedding expenses was not enough
now used forged documents 

Everytime she made a financial mistake

Mum enabled

David said: she made a mistake""

she made a choice

Someone who commits forgery

She should face whatever consequence

Sarah had to choose to be a better person
She has to make her choice 

Mum made a choice to enable her behaviour in first 22 years
Now a choice to make her understand her consequences

22 years paying for love
Love that should be given for free

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REAL CASE

contribution to the wedding expenses - lunch paid by the father. $25,000. 

his son kept the $18,000 receipts

loan sharks swooped up  his $18,000

 

wife warned not to marry his son, but she ignored him
intelligent, a teacher
able to change his gambling habits, womanising, drinks
marriage built on a foundation of lies
marriage annulled

he wanted a wife he could control

 

she annulled her marriage 

his father's sacrifices
to pay for his wedding expenses
apartment
photographs by renowned photographer sold

but the son is a spoiled brat

apartment deposit

new car
public school
 

didn't set clear boundaries
son took financial support for granted

husband doesn't have the resources