4807. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. Red flowers

Canon R5, 103mm, 1/1600 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1000
27 Jan 2026. 11.18am
Road divider flowers - Grange Road

 SINGAPORE - 27 JAN 2026: The white flowers with red centres and large  red bracts (modified leaves) make Mussaenda erythrophylla a popular ornamental plant in public gardens. They boost mental wellness in passers-by.

4807. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm Golden Showers orchid.

Canon R5, 300 mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, iso 1600
25 Jan 2026. 4.10pm. Singapore Zoo.
Golden Shower orchid flowers

 

4806. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. Dendrobium orchids.

Dendrobium orchids comprise over 1800 species. This hybrid has white peals and purple lips. 

Orchids in this genus have roots that creep over the surface of trees or rocks, rarely having their roots in soil. Up to six leaves develop in a tuft at the tip of a shoot and from one to a large number of flowers are arranged along an unbranched flowering stem,

25 Jan 2026. 4.10pm. Zoo 

Canon R5, 100mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, iso 1000

 

 

 

4805. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. Gular Pouch of a pelican

 

A pelican's gular pouch is a highly flexible, distensible sac of skin attached to the lower mandible, used primarily as a fishing net to scoop up fish and water. It can hold up to 3 gallons (11 liters) of water—significantly more than the bird's stomach capacity—and serves to drain water before swallowing prey. 

 

 

25 Jan 2026. 4.35pm
Canon R5 300mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600 

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ey details about the gular pouch:

• Feeding Mechanism: It acts as a scoop rather than a storage container; pelicans use it to trap fish, drain water, and then consume the fish immediately.
• Temperature Regulation: Pelicans use "gular fluttering," shaking the pouch to evaporate moisture and cool down in heat.
• Structure: Composed of specialized, highly elastic, fibrous skin that stretches to accommodate large, struggling prey.
• Hygiene & Maintenance: Pelicans may turn the pouch inside out to clean debris or keep the skin pliable.
• Breeding Displays: In some species, the skin color may change during the breeding season to attract mates. 

The pouch is a crucial, specialized adaptation for efficient foraging and survival. 

4804. PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LENS 24 - 104mm. Common Mormon caterpillar

caterpillars of the butterfly Papilio polytes Romulus, commonly known as Common Mormon, on a Curry Leaf (Bergera koenigii) plant in the back area. 

5th-stage instar caterpillar of Common Mormon butterfly
27 Jan 2026. 9.53am. Lentor Plain potted curry leaf plant
105mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 640

Lens 24 - 105 mm 

 

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caterpillar of Common Mormon butterfly
27 Jan 2026. 9.42am. Lentor Plain potted curry leaf plant
100mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 3200

Lens 24 - 105 mm 

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 Both the Lime Butterfly and Common Mormon caterpillars feed on Citrus sp and Clausena. To distinguish them, look at the spots joining the false eyes. If there is a brown - black band, it is a Lime. Common Mormon is clean. Also Common Mormon has white tails. Common Mormon may also be found on Curry Leaf.

 

 

 

 

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Curry leaf caterpillars are the larvae of the Common Mormon butterfly (Papilio polytes) or sometimes the Lime butterfly (Papilio demoleus), which feed voraciously on young, tender curry leaves, often leaving only the midribs. They start as dark brown, bird-dropping-like caterpillars, turning green/white as they grow before forming chrysalises. 

Key Facts & Management

• Appearance: Early instars are dark brown with irregular white markings; later stages are green with black, white, or red spots.
• Behavior: They are solitary, feeding on young shoots and, if threatened, may display an organ called an osmeterium that releases a strong, defensive odor.
• Damage: They can quickly defoliate young or small potted curry leaf plants.
• Manual Control: The most effective control is to hand-pick the caterpillars and remove them, or place them in soapy water.
• Natural Remedies: Spraying neem oil or applying Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can manage them.
• Lifespan: They turn into beautiful black and white butterflies in roughly 10 days after pupation. 

While they are pests, they are also a sign of a healthy, pesticide-free garden, and many gardeners choose to share their leaves with them. 

 

 

4803. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. The Control Tower.

 

The official name of this “golf ball” is the Radome. The Radome contains a surface movement radar that tracks the movement of aircraft within the aerodrome, and its sphere protects the radar equipment from the weather and environment.

The old Radome was replaced by a new one in 2015.

 

 

 Canon R5, 75-300m, 75mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, iso 200

20 Jan 2026. 12.12pm. From inside my car 

 

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Canon R5, 75-300m, 180mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5, iso 160

20 Jan 2026. 12.13pm. From inside my car 

 

 

 

 

4802. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300 mm lens. Pilot cap badge

 SINGAPORE - 20 JAN 2026: 12.50pm. A Singapore Airlines pilot cap with an embroidered badge featuring a wreathed bird in flight logo. The badge is made with gold bullion threads. It is a professional identifier and a mark of accountability for certified pilots. The cap and luggage were at outside the Departure Gate, Terminal 2, Changi Airport.

 

 

4801. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. The Pussy Willows.

 Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring.

 

 

Pussy willows are

fast-growing deciduous shrubs or small trees (typically Salix discolor) known for their soft, silvery-grey, furry flower buds called catkins that appear on bare stems in late winter or early spring. Native to North America and wetlands, they are prized for early-season floral arrangements and as a crucial, nectar-rich food source for early bees. 

Key Characteristics and Uses: 

• Fuzzy Catkins: The "pussy" refers to the soft, fur-like texture of the male flower buds, which resemble tiny cat paws.
• Habitat: They thrive in moist to wet areas, including riverbanks and marshes, and are effective at controlling soil erosion.
• Appearance: They are often found as multi-stemmed shrubs, reaching
  

  $15$
  -
  

  $25$
  feet in height, with green leaves that appear after the catkins.
• Reproduction: The plants are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Only male plants produce the classic, large, fuzzy silver catkins.
• Uses: Widely used in decorations, dried arrangements, and sometimes in religious ceremonies, such as Palm Sunday in Eastern European traditions. 

Cultivation: 

• Growth: They are easy to grow, often from cuttings, but require ample water and sun.
• Pruning: Annual pruning is recommended to encourage the growth of new, vigorous, and straight branches for future catkins. 

4800. Telehealth care by Dr Sing Kong Yuen - online medical examination (OME) for pets

 

 

 

 

 

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Telehealth care by Dr Sing Kong Yuen - online medical examination for pets in 2026

25 January 2026.

Telehealth is defined as the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, health administration, and public health

1. SINGAPORE PET OWNERS:
Online medical examination (OME) for pets is offered by Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow), 75, of Toa Payoh Vets, Singapore in 2026.

It helps shorten time taken to examine pets and reduces costs of house-calls. Most of the vet's working hours  will be spent driving during house-calls. The OME reduces travel time and allows the vet to treat the pet's illnesses quickly.

Pet owners from Singapore or overseas WhatsApp images and videos to Dr Sing via +65 9668-6468.

In most cases, the pets will need to be physically examined and subjected to laboratory tests at Toa Payoh Vets for diagnosis and treatment.

Fees payable varies from US$60 depending on time needed to do the OME. 

WhatsApp +65 9668-6468 for more information.

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2. OVERSEAS PET OWNERS:
Overseas pet owners needing a 2nd or 3rd opinion on their small animal pet's health. 

Please WhatsApp Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow) +65 9668-6468 or email 99pups@gmail.com the information about their pet health or other conditions. Consultation fee of S$100, payable to PayPal for short consultations via WhatsApp +65 9668-6468. 

 

UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4800-telehealth-care-by-dr-sing-kong.html
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12 January 2026.
A telehealth case for a 16-year-old female Syrian hamster with a large left ear abscess.
Pending veterinary examination at Toa Payoh Vets by Dr Daniel Sing, I advised the following treatment.
Dr Daniel offered the same advice. The owner did not accept this advice as she deemed it invasive.