4057. Eggs have double egg white?

 

Why do some eggs have a secondary white layer?

I hate this when frying eggs. Some eggs like the bottom one in the pic have this thick white layer that makes them take forever to solidify. Why??? Thanks!

https://ibb.co/WGxnnC1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t have an answer as to why, but I can tell you with complete certainty that simply cutting through that inner white sac in a few places will allow it to spread out and cook faster. Doing this Increases the thickness ratio between the yolk and white and promotes more even cooking of the white and helps to avoid that ultra thin skin around the edges while also keeping the yolk more runny.

The quality of my over easy eggs became significantly more consistent and I could reliably hit my preferred range every time once I discovered this. I like fully runny yolks and gently cooked whites. It isn’t a magic bullet of course, heat level and focus play a big role but it was a large piece of the puzzle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4056. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Use of TV mode for Supreme Court Buillding - little depth of field

GOOGLE REVIEW

24 Sep 2025: Sunday. 6.32pm.
As it was Sunday evening, the public areas and learning gallery of the Supreme Court building would be closed.

As there was still bright sunshine at 6.32pm, I focused my camera on the disc-like roof of the Supreme Court Building which looks unique, like a flying saucer.

I share a view of this Building's roof from across the Singapore River in Boat Quay.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Use f/4.5 means less depth of field. Hence buildings in the background are not sharp.

The disc-like roof of the 9-storey Supreme Court Building houses the Court of Appeal.

24 Sep 2025. 6.32pm
Canon R5, 96mm, 1/1600 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400. Focus on the disc-like structure.
TV mode. Less depth of field when you use f/4.5

TO BUY PHOTO:   www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/09/4056-photography-tips-use-of-tv-mode.html

 

4055. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Spire of St Andrew's Cathedral - Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

 SINGAPORE - 24 JUN 2025: Spire of St Andrew's Cathedral which is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese. Built in the Neo-Gothic architectural style, it is the oldest Anglican place of worship. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by Madeline Poon

 

 Good morning. A rare angle of St Andrew's Cathedral from Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by Madeline Poon in the 3:4 frame.

SINGAPORE - 24 JUN 2025: Spire of St Andrew's Cathedral which is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese. Built in the Neo-Gothic architectural style, it is the oldest Anglican place of worship.
Tips: Take 3 shots so that the sharpest image can be selected. 

Present image is not very sharp - needed 80% sharpening by Lightroom. Stabilise your hand onto some support if possible. Take time to shoot 3 images. It is likely that one of 3 will be sharp.

 

 The original image is very pale. Photoshop brings out the blue sky and sharpness.

 

 

4054. What is a "normal" egg yolk. Soft-boiled eggs

 

 

A "normal" egg yolk is one whose color ranges from pale yellow to deep orange, depending entirely on the hen's diet and the presence of carotenoid pigments like lutein and zeaxanthin. A darker yolk, often perceived as healthier, simply indicates more carotenoids from foods like corn, alfalfa, or greens, while a lighter yolk comes from diets lower in these pigments, such as those based on wheat or barley. Yolk color doesn't significantly reflect the egg's overall nutritional content, which is largely concentrated in the yolk itself, regardless of hue.  

What Influences Yolk Color?

• Dietary Pigments (Carotenoids):
  The primary factor is the hen's diet, specifically the amount and type of carotenoids consumed. 

• Yellow/Orange Pigments:
  Hens that eat yellow corn, alfalfa, or leafy green plants produce yolks with a deeper yellow to orange color. 

• Pale Yolks:
  Diets based on wheat, barley, or white cornmeal result in lighter, paler yolks because these grains contain fewer pigment-enhancing carotenoids. 

What Does the Color Mean?

• It's Not About Nutrition:
  While consumers often associate a dark orange yolk with superior nutrition, the color itself is not a significant indicator of an egg's nutrient value. 

• It Reflects Pigments in Feed:
  A darker yolk means the hen's diet included more pigments like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial compounds. 

• Flavor is Similar:
  You can expect the same nutritional benefits from both dark and light yolks; you're primarily seeing the effect of the hen's diet on the yolk's pigments.
  
  
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  One of the common old school breakfast in Singapore is actually kaya toast and soft boiled eggs which is also one of my favorites-to-go breakfast. And for those who are keen to know how I manage to get to make my soft boiled eggs done each time, it does need some trials and errors nevertheless. After numerous attempts, somehow I’ve manage to come to a conclusion that using fresh eggs (non-chilled), immediate boiling water and an estimate of submerging the eggs in the pot I am using, for an approximate 6 minutes and 30 to 40 seconds yield the best results so far.
  

  Eggs are put in boiling water for 5 minutes to make soft boiled eggs in Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

  UPDATE:

• https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/09/4054-what-is-normal-egg-yolk.html

4053. Maggots in a guinea pig in Singapore - encapsulated abscess or tumour

 

Maggots in a guinea pig's coat or wounds, known as myiasis, is a serious condition where flies lay eggs on moist, soiled skin or in untreated wounds, which then hatch into larvae that feed on tissue. This parasitic infestation requires immediate veterinary attention for safe and thorough removal of the maggots and treatment of the underlying cause to prevent severe infection and tissue damage. Prevention includes regular grooming, prompt wound care, fly control, and keeping your guinea pig in a hygienic environment. 

What are maggots in guinea pigs?

• Maggots are the immature stage of flies (fly larvae). 
• Myiasis is the medical term for an infestation of a living animal by fly larvae. 
• Flies are attracted to damp, soiled, or necrotic (dead) tissues, such as untreated wounds, dirty skin, or areas affected by incontinence. 

Causes and risk factors

• Flies lay their eggs on a guinea pig's skin, and these eggs hatch into maggots. 
• Guinea pigs with reduced mobility, paralysis, incontinence, or poor hygiene are at higher risk because they cannot keep their fur and skin clean. 
• Warm, humid environments and the summer months are particularly conducive to fly activity and subsequent infestations. 
• Untreated wounds or constant dampness from urine or feces can attract egg-laying flies. 

Symptoms to look for

• Visible maggots: The most obvious sign is the presence of small, white, legless worms in a wound or on the skin. 
• Open sores or lesions: Maggots can cause crater-like or irregularly shaped ulcers as they digest tissue. 
• Foul odor: The wound may have a distinct, unpleasant smell. 
• Lethargy and poor appetite: A severe infestation can make a guinea pig weak and uninterested in food. 
• Swelling: Swelling around the affected area, particularly on the face, is a sign. 

What to do if you find maggots

• Seek veterinary care immediately . 
• A veterinarian can safely remove the maggots and treat the wound. 
• Treatment often involves shaving the hair, cleaning the wound, and using antibiotics to prevent infection. 
• Oral antiparasitic medications may be necessary to kill any remaining larvae. 

Prevention

• Maintain good hygiene: Keep your dog's fur clean, especially in areas prone to moisture. 
• Treat wounds promptly: Clean and monitor any cuts or scrapes to prevent them from becoming attractive to flies. 
• Control flies in the environment: Keep your yard clean, remove garbage, and use fly screens on windows. 
• Use flea and tick prevention: Regular treatments can help prevent skin irritations that might attract flies. 
• Address underlying health issues: Ensure conditions like allergies or incontinence are managed to prevent constant dampness. 

4052. PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Using the P Mode. Travel. Siem Reap Airport.

A mother (R) and her 24- and 22-year-old sons board the SilkAir plane in Siem Reap airport.
22-year-old carried the photographer father’s heavy backpack as well

15 Jan 2010. 12.55pm. Canon EOS 40D, lens 70-300mm, P mode, 70mm, 1/1000 sec, 
f/9, ISO 400. They boarded the plane from the tarmac after a shuttle bus ride?  

 

 

P mode = Action program biased toward fast shutter speed.
 ---------------------------------------------------

 

 15 Jan 2010. 12.54pm. Canon EOS 40D, lens 70-300mm, P mode, 108mm, 1/1600 sec, 
f/9, ISO 400. Why were they boarding the plane from the tarmac? 

P mode = Action program biased toward fast shutter speed.

 

 

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

 A tarmac is the paved area of an airport, originally referring to the material tarmacadam (tar and crushed stone) but now often used more broadly to describe any of the hard-surfaced areas like runways, taxiways, and aprons where aircraft land, take off, and move on the ground. While used by the media and the public, the term "tarmac" is not professional aviation jargon; instead, aviation personnel use more specific terms like "runway" for landing/takeoff paths, "taxiway" for connecting paths, and "apron" or "ramp" for the areas where aircraft park and are serviced. 

 

4051. Fast food. Guzman y Gomez restaurant.

 Guzman y Gomez restaurant - Mexican-themed fast food chain was founded by Steve Marks in Sydney in July. 

Listed on Australian Securities Exchange in June 2024. 
He swopped securities for burrito receipes.

 

4050. Ultraviolet light.

Risks of sitting next to the window in the airplane

 

While it's true that UV radiation increases with altitude, she says what really matters is the type of UV we’re exposed to. For example, UVA rays, the ones that penetrate deeper and contribute to skin ageing and pigmentation, can pass through aeroplane windows. In contrast, UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn, are largely filtered out by the plane’s windows and atmosphere at altitude.

 

 So while you’re not getting a full-on tanning bed effect, Stoddart warns that there is a meaningful level of UVA exposure when sitting in the window seat. This is especially true on long-haul flights or if flying over areas with intense sun reflection (like snow or clouds). Similarly, studies have shown pilots and frequent flyers have a higher risk of melanoma, particularly on the left side of the body and face. 2018 research from the University of Manchester looked into this exact topic, and concluded that 'airline pilots and cabin crew are potentially exposed to hazardous ultraviolet (UV) and cosmic radiation that may increase their risk of melanoma and other skin cancers'

 

 

How to avoid skin damage©Metro

If you’re sitting by the window or just flying regularly, Stoddart recommends the following:
• Applying a broad-spectrum SPF before your flight (even if it’s cloudy or the window shade is down). UVA rays are sneaky!
• Reapplying every few hours on long-haul journeys if your skin is exposed to daylight
• Opting for a hydrating SPF with antioxidants to combat the oxidative stress from UV and cabin pressure.
• Stoddart also suggests considering a tinted SPF, as the iron oxides offer extra protection from visible light
• Closing the blind — of course, ask the person sitting next to you if they don't mind you doing this, as they may want to peek out of the window, too. The best thing to do is explain why you are closing the blind

 

 

Other general flying tips©Metro

According to Stoddart, it's important to hydrate your skin like you do with your body. 'Think lightweight serums with hyaluronic acid, barrier creams or even a facial mist,' she says, adding that you should avoid products with alcohol. The expert also advises against wearing makeup or active ingredients like retinoids or strong acids that could dry out the skin. Makeup lovers, why not use your travel day as a non-makeup day? Next up, Stoddart calls omega-3s a 'secret weapon for internal hydration and inflammation,' especially for frequent travellers. And last but not least, don't forget lip balm with SPF. 'The lips are one of the most UV-sensitive areas and often overlooked,' she concludes