Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Anzac Bridge


 

 

 The Anzac Bridge, opened in 1995, is one of the seven main bridges around Sydney that make up the annual ‘7 Bridges Walk’.

Anzac Bridge links the CBD to the Inner West and northern suburbs but with its multiple lanes of traffic in both directions, it’s not the most ideal bridge for pedestrians. Apart from the 7 Bridges Walk, I’d never normally walk across it.

 
The bridge honours the WWI Anzacs, many of who never returned home and died and were buried overseas. Two bronze statues of soldiers - one Australian and one New Zealander - stand in tribute to these men. Although you can't see it, a handful of sand from Gallipoli (Turkey) rests under the foot of the Aussie digger.

 
I drive over this bridge often but I recently saw it from the Sydney Fish Markets. From here, you get a nice view of the two diamond-shaped pylons that rise up, each 120m tall, and the fan-like stay cables that that give the bridge its distinctive look.

6017. Toast Box at Northpoint mall.

 11 May 2026 at 11.04am. Coffee and tea. I had a late breakfast with my wife at the Toast Box Northpoint mall. 

One cup of tea, one cup of coffee, 2 eggs and 2 slices of buttered kaya toasted bread were purchased. The price of $8.90 covered the food on the tray as seen in the video. The half-boiled eggs had been placed in hot water for around 9 minutes. When cracked open, the egg white is white, not runny and the yolk is an orange globe, not runny. I prefer the egg yolk to be runny when the egg is cracked open. 

"Customers can request more or less than 9 minutes," one service staff told me. The slices of bread have been toasted and contain a spread of kaya and butter. The cafe is not crowded at this time, but is mainly occupied. Service is courteous. It is a good place to meet and chat with friends.

6016. Mandatory face mask at Toa Payoh Vets

 7 Jan 2021: Mandatory face mask of the Filipino veterinary nurse at Toa Payoh Vets

 


 

6015. Mandatory face mask Poster at SNEC during Covid-19 pandemic


 

 

 SINGAPORE - 10 JAN 2021: This poster on the lift of the Singapore National Eye Centre highlights safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. It advises wearing a face mask when visiting high-risk  settings to guard against COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. Face mask need not be worn when the person eats or drinks.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

6014. two red junglefowl and child. mental and physical wellness. P Mode. Canon EOS 90D

 

9 Mar 2021. 9.14am

Canon EOS 90D. P mode.

60mm, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, iso 100

Fudu Park  

6013. Father daughter at the zoo in 2021. P Mode. Canon EOS 90d

 

After Covid-19 pandemic

11 Mar 2021. 1.30pm

Canon 90D, P Mode, 80mm, 1/125 sec, f/5, iso 125. 
Singapore Zoo 

 


Monday, May 11, 2026

6012. Kids on wagon Singapore Zoo

 

10 May 2026. 11.52am. Mother's Day. Sunday.
Canon R5, 135mm, 1/1000 sec, f/5, iso 160

Two kids on a Zoo wagon.

 

6011. Julia Heliconian. Should have used 1/2000 sec instead of 1/100 sec as butterfly is fast

 Julia Heliconian is a narrow-winged butterfly with elongated forewings. On the upperside, the wings are bright orange in the male and duller orange in the female. There are black borders along the wing margin, with those in the female broader and more extensive. On the underside, the wings for both sexes are paler compared to the upperside

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 8 May 2026. Lentor Road Park.
Julia Heliconian 
Canon R5,300mm, 1/100 sec, f/6.3, iso 125



 Should have used 1/2000 sec as most images are blurry.

8 May 2026. Lentor Loop Park. 10.43am

Canon R5, 300 mm, 1/100 sec, f/6.3, iso 125

 

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 8 May 2026. 10.19am

Canon R5, 300mm, 1/100 sec. f/7.1, iso 100. handheld

Should have used 1/2000 sec to get sharp images. 

 

 

 

6010. Ring-tailed lemur

 

SINGAPORE - 10 May 2026: 11.36am. The Ring-tailed Lemur (Lemur catta) is a primate native to the island of Madagascar. It is endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation in Madagascar. Its tail has 13 alternate black and white bands which they use for communication and maintaining group cohesion.

Canon R5, 85mm, 1/160 sec, f/4.5, iso 200. handheld. Video handphone 

 

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Sunday, May 10, 2026

6009. * MAKE VIDEO. 9 am. Small butterfly Lesser Grass Blue, hovering on small plants in Lentor Road Park. Bright sunshine. TRIPOD

 

Lentor Road park

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 SINGAPORE - 10 MAY 2026: 9am. The male Zebra Blue (Leptotes plinius) in Lentor Road Park feature a shiny purplish-blue ujpperside. It is a small butterfly with wingspan 18 - 26mm. It inhabits areas of low scrubs and herbs, frequently feeding on flowers. 

 


 Canon R5 tripod 300mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, iso 800. tv mode

 

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 Upperside of Lesser Grass Blue
male - dull blue upperside
female -dark brown
underside - greyish-white with black spots. 



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 10 May 2926. 9am

Canon R5, tripod, 300mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, iso 800
bright sunshine
low grass flowers 
open fields and grassy area

 Upperside of Lesser Grass Blue
male - dull blue upperside
female -dark brown
underside - greyish-white with black spots. 
WINGSPAN   8-11mm

small butterfly  

Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa)
open grassy area
 

 Bright sunshine brings up the colours.

 SINGAPORE - 10 MAY 2026: 9am. The Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) is a small butterfly with wingspan 8-11mm. The upperside of the male is dull blue while that of the female is dark brown. The underside is greyish-white with black spots. It is commonly found in open fields and grassy areas.  


 

 



 

6008. Zebra Blue butterfly


 Canon R5, 300mm, tripod, 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, iso 1250

 

 

 SINGAPORE - 10 MAY 2026: 9.57am. The male Zebra Blue (Leptotes plinius) feature a shiny purplish-blue upperside. It is a small butterfly with a wingspan 18 - 26mm. It inhabits areas with low scrubs and herbs, frequently feeding on flowers. 

6007. Female Scarlet Skimmer at Lentor Road Park. Early morning. Tripod, av mode

 


7 May 2026. 7.54am. Lentor Road Park.

Canon R5, 210mm, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, iso 8000. AV mode, tripod

Cool environment in this park.
Female Scarlet Skimmer
 

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7 May 2026. 8.29am. Lentor Road Park.

Canon R5, 300mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, iso 250, AV mode, tripod

6006. PODCAST. Relationships

My Son Said Find Your Own Place at 68 - So I boughtg a penthouse in Monaco instgead.
Her Family Stories.

I spent the morning boxing up personal items, starting with the photos that lined the hallway. 30 years of fmaily pictures, Luke's school achievements, Henry's business awards, vacation snapshots we'd taken when money was tight, but our dreams were big.  Each picture told a story and together they told the story of a life well-lived, even if it was ending in a way I'd never expected.

The doorbell rang at exactly noon. Olivia stood on my porch...
Luke's ultimaturn, Rachel's casual cruelty, my decision to sell my house and move to Monaco.

 

The third couple arrived just as the sun was setting, casting golden light through the windows I had cleaned this morning. 

They would love this house just as it deserved to be loved.

 

 

Sunday morning brought snow, the first real snowfall of the winter, dusting the garden I'd tended
39 minutes, 53 seconds
for 30 years with a blanket of white that made everything look new and clean.

He was a good man in my ways. Kind to animls, generous with friends, smart about business. But somewhee along the way, he'd laerned to see me as an obligatgion ratherf than a person, a problem to be managed rather than a mother to be cherished.I wasn't sure when that shift had happened but I was certain that I didn't want to spend whatever years I had left trying to earn back his respect.   

 

But I wont let you treat me like a burden anymore

 

Sorry does erase 

I am not interested in a lesson in gratitude

 

 

That's my ride, I said. I said, "Mom, wait." Luke followed me to the front door, his voice breaking.
1 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds
Please don't go. Not like this. I turned to look at him one last time, memorizing his face, trying to see past the panic
1 hour, 4 minutes, 2 seconds
to the little boy who used to tell me I was his best friend in the whole world.
1 hour, 4 minutes, 6 seconds
"I love you, Luke." I said, "I will always love you, but I won't let you treat me like a burden anymore. I raised
1 hour, 4 minutes, 14 seconds
you to be better than that. I know, he whispered. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I know you are. But sorry doesn't give me
1 hour, 4 minutes, 23 seconds
back the months of planning my own disposal. Sorry doesn't erase the feeling of being unwanted in my own home.
 
 
some legal
1 hour, 5 minutes, 17 seconds
recourse or emotional manipulation, they hadn't tried yet. There wasn't. I was 68 years old, mentally competent,
1 hour, 5 minutes, 26 seconds
financially independent, and legally free to live wherever I chose. The fact that my choice surprised them,
1 hour, 5 minutes, 34 seconds
inconvenienced them, or hurt their feelings was unfortunate, but irrelevant.

 

 

As we crested a hill,
1 hour, 11 minutes, 35 seconds
and Monaco spread out below us. I knew he was right. The harbor was filled with yachts that looked like floating palaces, their white hulls gleaming in
1 hour, 11 minutes, 44 seconds
the morning sun. The buildings climbed the hillsides in terraces of cream and pink and gold, and everything sparkled
1 hour, 11 minutes, 52 seconds
like a jewelry box open to catch the light. "Where are you staying?" Philipe (taxi driver) asked. I gave him the address on Avenue St. Charles, and he nodded approvingly.
was flooded with morning light
1 hour, 13 minutes, 7 seconds
from windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. The furniture was elegant but comfortable antiques mixed with modern pieces in shades of cream and
1 hour, 13 minutes, 16 seconds
gold and soft blue. But it was the terrace that took my breath away. I walked through the French doors and stepped onto a wraparound balcony that
1 hour, 13 minutes, 24 seconds
offered a panoramic view of the Mediterranean. The water stretched to the horizon, deep blue and glittering with sunlight. Below the harbor was
1 hour, 13 minutes, 33 seconds
coming to life with the morning activities of people who called this paradise home. I stood there for a long time, breathing air that tasted like
1 hour, 13 minutes, 41 seconds
salt and possibility, listening to the gentle sounds of a city waking up in a language I didn't yet understand but wanted to learn. My phone buzzed with a
1 hour, 13 minutes, 50 seconds
text message. Mom, please call. We need to talk. I read Luke's message twice,
1 hour, 13 minutes, 56 seconds
then deleted it without responding. We'd had our talk. They told me what they thought of my place in their lives, and I'd responded accordingly

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After My Son Uninvited Me from Christmas, I Decided to Skip His Mortgage Payment

Voice of Dad 

 

24 minutes, 20 seconds
Julian told me that shortly after my phone call with Brandon. The atmosphere in the house shifted from celebration to panic. Brandon had tried to salvage the
24 minutes, 29 seconds
evening by going to the high-end butcher shop in town, intending to buy the $300 worth of prime beef Ted Carter was
24 minutes, 36 seconds
expecting. But when he got to the register, his debit card was declined.
24 minutes, 41 seconds
The bank had frozen his assets instantly, just as I predicted. He had to leave the groceries on the counter,
24 minutes, 48 seconds
walking out past a line of neighbors who watched him crumble. He returned home not with a feast, but with a humiliating
24 minutes, 55 seconds
assortment of frozen pizzas and instant noodles he had purchased with the loose cash and coins found in the center console of his new Range Rover. The

6005. Shops and restaurants at Weave mall, Sentosa - Jumbo Premium, Coach coffee shop



 

 

Coach Coffee shop. It sells fashionable American leather-goods brand known for its signature handbags, plus shoes & accessories and serves coffee and desserts.

Canon R5, 75mm, 1/100 sec, f/16, iso 1600

6004. Male red junglefowl crows on a tree at 7.52am

 

Red junglefowl, male 

Saturday, May 9, 2026

6003. Golden Penda

 

5 May 2026. 3 pm

Canon R5, 120mm, 1/800 sec, f/5, iso 1000

 

Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus) is a tropical evergreen tree. It produces bright yellow cup-shaped flowers that grow in dense spherical heads.

Opposite Resorts World Sentosa Station.  

6002. The Boston Fern


 

 

 SINGAPORE - 4 MAY 2026: 8.40am. The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) or a similar sword fern species is planted along the bank of the Yishun Pond and Park. It is known for the lush arching green fronds and cultivated in shaded outdoor areas.  

Canon R5, 230mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, iso 160. AV mode.

  

6001. Reflections of the leaves are seen on the clear waters of Yishun Pond

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 An educational video explains the importance and benefits of basking for the pet red-eared slider in Singapore. Vit D3 helps Calcium absorption. The body produces Vit D3 if the turtle or red-eared slider basks in the sun or under the UVB light. What set-up and equipment are required. A photographic tip for taking photos of the turtle in the wild, in Yishun Pond – use a tripod and shutter priority. MORE INFORMATION AT: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/05/6001-reflection.html 

 

P.S. On 8 May, 2026, I saw one milk advert saying that 40% of Singaporeans is deficient in Vitamin D. Recently, my second blood test showed my Vitamin D and Calcium levels are normal and I have no kidney disorder. The Khoo Teck Puat Hospital specialist said he would review my Vitamin D and calcium case after 2 years and would I like 2 years' prescription of Vitamin D vials? I would be 77 years old. He did not say I should take Vitamin and Calcium tablets too. In retrospect, the prescription of only Vitamin D will be sufficient as it will help calcium absorption. The calcium will be from my food and milk. Hence he did not prescribe calcium or Vitamin D + calcium tablets. I did not ask him.

 

 

 

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Basking is essential for turtles to regulate body temperature, metabolize nutrients, and maintain shell health, as they are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and cannot generate their own heat. It allows them to raise their body temperature for digestion, synthesis Vitamin D3 using UVB rays, and completely dry out to prevent fungal infections and shell rot. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Benefits of Basking:
  • Thermoregulation: Because turtles rely on their environment for heat, basking allows them to raise their internal body temperature, which is crucial for metabolism, digestion, and immune function.
  • Vitamin D3 and Calcium Metabolism: UVB rays from the sun (or a specialized lamp) are necessary to synthesize Vitamin D3, which enables the turtle to absorb calcium, ensuring proper bone and shell growth.
  • Preventing Infection: Allowing their shell and skin to dry out completely is critical. Inadequate basking can lead to shell rot, fungal infections, and bacterial issues.
  • Shedding Scutes: Regular basking helps turtles shed their old scutes (shell scutes) effectively.
  • Behavioral Needs: Basking provides a way to reduce stress, avoid parasites, and conserve energy. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Components of a Proper Basking Area:
  • Dry Platform: A place where the turtle can fully exit the water.
  • Heat Lamp: A heat source that makes the basking area 10-15°F warmer than the water, usually reaching 85-90°F (29-32°C).
  • UVB Light: A dedicated reptile UVB bulb is crucial, especially for indoor setups, as standard light bulbs do not produce these necessary rays. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Without proper basking opportunities, turtles can suffer from serious health issues like metabolic bone disease, shell deformities, and chronic respiratory infections


 SINGAPORE - 4 MAY 2026: 8.37am. An adult turtle stays on the ground of the plants of the Yishun Pond to bask in the morning sunlight. Sunlight helps its body to produce Vitamin D to stay healthy. The reflections of the green and yellow leaves are seen on the clear waters of the pond.

 Canon R5, tripod, 300mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, iso 100.

 

 P.S. On 8 May, 2026, I saw one milk advert saying that 40% of Singaporeans is deficient in Vitamin D. Recently, my second blood test showed my Vitamin D and Calcium levels are normal and I have no kidney disorder. The KTPH specialist said he would review my Vitamin D and calcium case after 2 years and would I like 2 years' prescription of Vitamin D vials? I would be 77 years old. He did not say I should take Vitamin and Calcium tablets too. In retrospect, the prescription of only Vitamin D will be sufficient as it will help calcium absorption. The calcium will be from my food and milk. Hence he did not prescribe calcium or Vitamin D + calcium tablets. I did not ask him.

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To bask is to lie in or be exposed to pleasant, warm heat—often the sun—or to figuratively revel in praise, glory, or happiness. It implies a state of satisfied, blissful relaxation. [1, 2, 3]
Key Definitions & Usage
  • Literal Meaning: To sit or lie down to enjoy warmth (e.g., "The cat basked in the sun").
  • Figurative Meaning: To take great pleasure in a positive situation (e.g., "Basking in the glory of victory").
  • Origin: Derived from Middle English and Old Norse, meaning "to bathe oneself"

 

 MORE INFORMATION
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/05/6001-reflection.html

 

 

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Reflection is the throwing back of light, heat, or sound from a surface, an image seen in a mirror, or the act of careful, serious thought. It often refers to a "bending back" of light (physics) or thoughts (mental reflection), or it can be a sign or consequence that reveals something about a person or situation.
Key Aspects of Reflection:
  • Physical (Physics/Optics): The return of light, heat, or sound waves from a surface (e.g., an echo or a mirror image).
  • Mental/Cognitive: Careful, serious, or long-term consideration and contemplation of a subject, idea, or past experience.
  • Sign or Indication:
     A result, consequence, or sign that reveals a particular situation or trait, such as "his behavior is a reflection of his upbringing".
  • Discredit/Reproach: A remark that brings blame or negative attention, such as "that action is a reflection on her character".
  • Mathematics/Anatomy: In math, replacing points symmetrically across a line or plane; in anatomy, the bending or folding back of a structure.
Common Synonyms:
  • Thinking: Meditation, contemplation, consideration, deliberation, thought, rumination.
  • Image: Mirror image, likeness, representation, counterpart.
Usage Examples:
  • Image: "She studied her reflection in the water".
  • Thought: "On reflection, I think you are right".
  • Representation: "Their success is a reflection of their hard work"