4528. Wildlife in Bidadari Park

28 Mar 2025 morning walk.
Not much wildlife on the outer parts of the Bidadari Park.
Myna x 1 seen

This Oriental Garden Lizard appeared suddenly as I was photographing the cut trunk.
Got a video made.

 

 

4527. Changi Airport flight information display flip boards

In 2020, Terminal 2 Departure ---the flight information display flip boards, a.k.a Solari boards, would be removed and replaced by electronic information boards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4526. Pregnant cat with diaphragmatic hernia

 

.  DATE: 8 JAN 2025

PATIENT: Domestic short-haired cat, F, 5 years. Resident in Myanmar.
HISTORY: 6 months ago, the cat was hit by a car. Difficulty in breathing for the past 6 months.
X-RAY: Diaphragmatic hernia.

2.  DATE: 25 MAR 2025
Difficulty in breathing for the past week.
HISTORY: Had an acquired diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed in Jan 2025.
No treatment.
X-RAY: Diaphragmatic hernia and pregnant with 3 formed kittens

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

The thoracic cavity, also known as the chest cavity, is a hollow space within the thorax protected by the rib cage and diaphragm. It contains organs like the heart, lungs and major blood vessels. It does not contain the liver and spleen.

 

 A diaphragmatic hernia in cats occurs when abdominal organs push through a tear or opening in the diaphragm which is the muscle separating the abdomen from the chest cavity.

This hernia can be caused by trauma or be congenital.

The pregnant cat has severe respiratory distress as you can see in the video.

NATURAL BIRTH OR CAESAREAN SECTION?atural birth or caesarean section (CS)?

Dr Thet had to decide.

High anaesthetic risk of death if the cat has natural birth or caesarean section (CS). This is due to the OPEN-MOUTH BREATHING indicating great breathing difficulty as the lungs are not able to function normally. Part of the liver and spleen press on the lungs obstructing its breathing movements. Insufficient oxygen, therefore open-mouth breathing.
 

Dr Thet decided on natural birth.

If the cat has very severe breathing problems during natural birth, he would do a Caesarean section to save the three kittens.

SUPPORTIVE THERAPY:

IV drip of glucose and normal saline was administered. Oxygen gas supplementation was administered to the cat.Oxytocin injection was given when the amniotic fluid was discharged.Three kittens were born naturally.

 The cat was an in-patient for one day to monitor her respiratory distress. She went home the next day.

Oral vitamins were prescribed.

 Dr Thet’s advices:1. No depo progesterone injection should be given to the female cat when she is on heat.
2. To separate the female cat from the male cats.

 

 TO VIEW TWO OTHER VIDEOS OF THIS CAT WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS:

Video link_1
https://youtu.be/-R2QmRHZ5K8

Video link_2
https://youtu.be/b5FVskHqnZQ

 TO BUY PHOTOS OF THIS CAT, KITTENS AND X-RAYS:

www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

 ----------------------

FROM DR THET.

 

Mother has high risk of death in both normal parturition and CS.
So, I explained the owner about the consequences. And decided to support normal parturition first. If it couldn’t give birth normally or mom would get severe life threatening respiratory distress, plan to do CS surgery immediately at that time to save kittens at least.


I gave Calcium, B12, Glucose IV and normal saline drip first and wait. After seeing vaginal discharge, I give oxytocin injection IM.
And also oxygen supplementation the whole time.
All 3 kittens could be born by normal parturition but only 2 alive.
Hospitalized for one day to monitor mom’s respiration and then gave vitamin oral supplement and discharged the next day.
I advised the cat owner not to inject depo injection and better to separate male cats.

 

4525. Control of Flash Floods using retention ponds. Alkaff Lake.

 Control of Flash Floods using stormwater retention ponds. The Alkaff Lake.

1, Alkaff Lake is a retention pond to prevent flash floods in the 13-hectare Bidadari estate. It is in the middle of the estate at the lowest point, covering over 10% of the estate. 50% of the storm water in the estate will flow into Alkaff Lake.

2. Alkaff Lake and the surrounding woodlands is a recreation spot and stop-over for migratory birds.

3. During dry weather, the lake holds 10,000 cubic m of water at a height of around 1.5m.

4. During heavy rain, the bank and surrounding footpaths hold 40,000 cubic m of water at a height of 4m. Water level will rise from 1.5m to 4m.

5. When the height of water reaches 2m, flashing beacon lights and loudspeakers will warn visitors to stay away from Alkaff Lake.

6. The terraced wetlands filter pollutants from run-off waters.  Gross pollutant traps will trap litter and silt
The better quality stormwater will flow to an outlet drain in the MacPherson estate and eventually to the  Marina Reservoir.

 

 

 

 

29 Mar 2025. 9.04am

Bidadari Park. Canon R5. 24mm, 1/60 sec, f/16, ISO 320

sunny morning. dry weather

4524. WILDLIFE SINGAPORE SKY. How to take a good handphone video of the Shoebi...

 

 

 

 

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE SKY
How to take a good handphone video of the Shoebill at the Bird Paradise?

VIDEOGRAPHY TIP:
Do not hand-hold your smartphone to take videos of a long duration as the footage will be shaky.Use a tripod or object to support your handphone.
Hand-held videos will be shaky after a few seconds.

There is only one Shoebill at the Bird Paradise.
It can only be photographed when it perches on the ledge above you.
On certain days, it does not appear on the ledge.   

I was fortunate that it was perched on the ledge on 25 Mar 2025 at around 10am.

I placed my iPhone 15 Pro on top of my digital camera tripod and did the video presented. 

 The Shoebill lives in a high corner in this aviary.You need to ask the staff where to find it!

The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its population is declining due to habitat loss, disturbance and degradation, hunting (poaching) and human persecution.

Conservation efforts are necessary to protect this unique and fascinating bird species.

Conservation efforts in the zoos and aviaries to provide good housing and faciliies to promote breeding will be helpful.

 I hope Bird Paradise will provide spaces for the Shoebill such that it is visible to the visitors. In 2025, it can only be seen from a height, perched on the ledge like a statue.It may not be present on the ledge on certain days! 

I hope that the Shoebill in the Bird Paradise will get a spacious and more natural habitat at eye-level to visitors so as to promote wildlife conservation. An AI image illustration is shown.

 

 Habitat:
Shoebills are native to the vast wetlands of the Nile watershed in eastern Africa, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park replicates this type of environment.

Habitat:
The Shoebill in Singapore’s Bird Paradise may not replicate this type of spacious environment as visitors may view it in one position, if it perches on the ledge much higher up the sky, as shown in this video.

Interested in this Shoebill photos by
Dr David Sing Kong Yuen?

The Shoebill at Bird Paradise. 25 Mar 2025. 10.30am. Dr David Sing Kong Yuen 

Canon R5. Tripod. Manual Mode. 98mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.0, ISO 100

You can buy it from: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

Interested in this Shoebill photo by experienced photographer---Mr Brian Peck?
You can buy it from:www.myfotografi.com

 

4523. Wildlife Singapore S K Y. HANDPHONE VIDEOGRAPHY OF THE SHOEBILL AT BIRD PARADISE

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE SKY
How to take a good handphone video of the Shoebill at the Bird Paradise?

VIDEOGRAPHY TIP:
Do not hand-hold your smartphone to take videos of a long duration as the footage will be shaky.Use a tripod or object to support your handphone.
Hand-held videos will be shaky after a few seconds.

There is only one Shoebill at the Bird Paradise.
It can only be photographed when it perches on the ledge above you.
On certain days, it does not appear on the ledge.   

I was fortunate that it was perched on the ledge on 25 Mar 2025 at around 10am.

I placed my iPhone 15 Pro on top of my digital camera tripod and did the video presented. 

 The Shoebill lives in a high corner in this aviary.You need to ask the staff where to find it!

The Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Its population is declining due to habitat loss, disturbance and degradation, hunting (poaching) and human persecution.

Conservation efforts are necessary to protect this unique and fascinating bird species.

Conservation efforts in the zoos and aviaries to provide good housing and faciliies to promote breeding will be helpful.

 I hope Bird Paradise will provide spaces for the Shoebill such that it is visible to the visitors. In 2025, it can only be seen from a height, perched on the ledge like a statue.It may not be present on the ledge on certain days! 

I hope that the Shoebill in the Bird Paradise will get a spacious and more natural habitat at eye-level to visitors so as to promote wildlife conservation. An AI image illustration is shown.

 

 Habitat:
Shoebills are native to the vast wetlands of the Nile watershed in eastern Africa, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park replicates this type of environment.

Habitat:
The Shoebill in Singapore’s Bird Paradise may not replicate this type of spacious environment as visitors may view it in one position, if it perches on the ledge much higher up the sky, as shown in this video.

Interested in this Shoebill photos by
Dr David Sing Kong Yuen?

The Shoebill at Bird Paradise. 25 Mar 2025. 10.30am. Dr David Sing Kong Yuen 

Canon R5. Tripod. Manual Mode. 98mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.0, ISO 100

You can buy it from: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

Interested in this Shoebill photo by experienced photographer---Mr Brian Peck?
You can buy it from:www.myfotografi.com

 

 

 

 

 

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

My Canon R5 lens 24mm to 105mm was unable to give me a sharp focus on the bird’s eye.

I used tripod, MANUAL MODE, 98mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.0 and ISO 100 to get the image. 

The previous Jurong Bird Park (JBP) had two shoebills, according to a Straits Time article. I was not aware of their existence when I visited the JBP.

What happened to them when the new Bird Paradise replaces the Jurong Bird Park? Is the sole Shoebill at Bird Paradise the surviving one?

4522. How to take the Shoebill at Bird Paradise video using iPhone 15 Pro

 

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE SKY EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

by Dr David Sing Kong Yuen

Videography Tips: Shoebill at Bird Paradise

1. The challenge is that nobody knows when and if the Shoebill will perch on the particular ledge
where he can be photographed from the bridge below him! That is the only spot to take photos or videos of him.

2. On certain days, he does not appear on this ledge. So the visitor is disappointed.

3. There is no set feeding time for the Shoebill such that the members of the public can view him eating. He is fed fish privately in his enclosure.


On 25 March 2025, it was around 9.30am. Otherwise, you are unlikely to see the African Greys.

2. Use tripod, shutter priority, Auto ISO for images. 1/500 sec and f/4.5 were used for the following image.

3. For video, your camera has its own settings.

 4. In my experience, if you go at other times, you are unlikely to see the African Greys flying near you! 

 

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE S K Y---How to take excellent photographs of the Afri...

4521. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: The African grey parrots are having breakfast. Google review.

 

GOOGLE REVIEW: BIRD PARADISE. 5 STARS.

25 MARCH 2025

At 9.34am, I was able to photograph a variety of bird species as they were present at feeding time.

There were numerous African Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) in the "Heart of Africa" aviary look very healthy as evident by their body and coat conditions and bright eyes---a testament to excellent management.

In the past, I had not seen one African grey because I reached the feeding place after 10am! The Bird Paradise opens at 9am, so I must be there as it takes time to walk to the "Heart of Africa" aviary.

In bird stock photography, it will be good to take one species or one bird so that the viewer can appreciate the beauty of that particular species.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP:

I used Canon R5, tripod, TV mode, 100mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 500. I set ISO to AUTO. As the birds are moving, use TV mode and tripod to get sharp images. Focus on the eye of one bird. One photo attached.

TO BUY PHOTO:

www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

 

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

WILDLIFE SINGAPORE SKY EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS

by Dr David Sing Kong Yuen

Photography Tips: African Grey Parrots at Bird Paradise

1. Go just before feeding time. On 25 March 2025, it was around 9.30am. Otherwise, you are unlikely to see the African Greys.2. Use tripod, shutter priority, Auto ISO for images. 1/500 sec and f/4.5 were used for the following image.3. For video, your camera has its own settings.

 

 2. In my experience, if you go at other times, you are unlikely to see the African Greys flying near you! 

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

 

 PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:
1. Know when is the feeding time.
2. Be present before feeding.
3. Use tripod, shutter priority
4. Set ISO to AUTO
5. Use f over 4.5
6. Use 1 over 500 sec
7. Focus on the eye of one bird.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4520. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Changi Airport.

 Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Changi Airport, 23 May 2025

Canon R5, TV, 105mm,1/1000sec, f/5.6, IS0 100

shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets