4796. CREATING A VIDEO "SECOND CHANCES" The female Asian Koel.

 This female Asian Koel perched on a small tree
in the Botanic Garden of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

A Garden so small, you will walk through in 5 minutes.

A bird so big and far, you will need zoom lens to
photograph it. Your smartphone will be useless.

 

After visiting a hospitalised grandmother, I hoped to
photograph uncommon birds in this Garden.

A flurry of winds rustled the leaves.   
This big patterned bird appeared for a few seconds.
She was hidden amongst the leaves. I got one good shot.

She came back.
To give me a SECOND CHANCE.

 

This short WILDLIFE SINGAPORE video
documents two amazing birds seen in
the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

You just saw the first bird - the female Asian Koel
with patterned plumage. If you see the male, he
has only glossy black feathers.

The second is what I believe to be the Little Heron
He was seen on 2 consecutive days.
 

Standing still, like a statue.
Eyes and long beak at one fixed spot in the water.

A sudden extension of his neck to snap the little fish or insect
Inside the clear waters of the Yishun Pond.

He lifted one foot very slowly, put it down
without rippling the waters, to move forward.

To stalk swimmers
But it was a time of famine for him.

I took photos but forgot video on the first day.

The next morning, he was present in the
same cul-de-sac part of Yishun Pond.
A second chance to take a video which
is much better than still images.

I thank Mr Brian Peck for sharing his
beautiful white-headed munia and sparrow
photos which add interest to this video. 

  

In conclusion, when life gives you a SECOND CHANCE

in living, in love or in better health, you should have 

been prepared - not to waste the opportunity.

A photographer should have his camera at all times

to capture the shots or video.

This wildlife video is dedicated to my grandchildren, the

oldest is 7 years old. She is 68 years younger than me! 

 

UPDATE
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4796-creating-video-second-chances.html 

 

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4795. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. Night. Pei School of Dance. tv mode, iso auto

 

21 Jan 2026. 8pm
A clear breezy night.  

Canon R5, 75-300mm, tv mode, 80mm, 1/800 sec, f/4, iso 12800. Focus on "PEI".

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

 

 

 Once upon a time, there was a school in Singapore. A school called Pei

 [06:12, 24/01/2026] Dr David Sing: It was a clear breezy night on 21 Jan 2026. 8pm
[06:12, 24/01/2026] Dr David Sing: The school was named Pei School of Dance
[08:12, 24/01/2026] Liang Pei Womg: Thanks dad!
[08:12, 24/01/2026] Liang Pei Womg: V nice

4794. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm lens. Pongal Festival

Pongal is a vibrant, four-day South Indian harvest festival, especially prominent in Tamil Nadu, celebrated around mid-January to thank the Sun God (Surya) for abundance, marking the start of the Tamil month of Thai. Celebrations involve cooking a sweet rice dish (the namesake Pongal that boils over), decorating homes with rangoli, honoring cattle, and strengthening family bonds, symbolizing gratitude for nature's gifts and a prosperous new year. 

Key Aspects of the Festival:

• Meaning: "Pongal" means "to boil over," referring to the overflowing pot of rice and milk symbolizing prosperity.
• Timing: Celebrated annually from January 14-17, aligning with Makar Sankranti and the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan).
• Four Days:
  • Bhogi Pongal: Spring cleaning, discarding old possessions, honoring Indra (God of Rain).
  • Surya Pongal (or Thai Pongal): Main day; cooking the Pongal dish, offering to the Sun God.
  • Mattu Pongal: Honoring cattle, adorning them with flowers and decorations.
  • Kannum Pongal: Family gatherings, elders giving blessings, community feasts.
• Traditions:
  • Pongal Dish: A sweet pudding of freshly harvested rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom, cooked in a new pot.
  • Decorations: Elaborate rice-flour rangoli designs are made on doorsteps.
  • Cultural Significance: A way to connect with heritage, express gratitude, and foster intergenerational bonds. 

Celebrated By: Primarily Tamils worldwide, transcending religious boundaries to become a cultural celebration of harvest and nature's bounty. 

 

 Canon R5, 75 - 300 mm lens. Inside car

21 Jan 2026, 3.46pm

75mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, iso 100

 

4793. Pink flowers - Chinese New Year decorations - Artificial pink cherry blossom flowers

 

 

Symbolism of Pink in Chinese New Year:

While red and gold are the primary colors for wealth and luck, pink is used to convey joy, gentle prosperity, romance, and friendship, adding a sophisticated and elegant touch to traditional Happy Chinese New Year decor. 

 

Artificial pink cherry blossom flowers
Large pink and red flowers
Red lanterns with gold bands
Gold base

21 Jan 2026. 2.26pm
Canon R5, 75mm, 1/800 sec, f/16, ISO 8000
The Cathay's Chinese New Year decorations 

using red, orange and pink colours.

4792. VET CASE. Large ear canal abscess and/or tumour in a 17-month-old female Syrian hamster

 

 

VET CASE STUDY: PROMPT VETERINARY TREATMENT SAVES LIVES. 

A GIGANTIC EAR ABSCESS IN A SYRIAN HAMSTER.
EAR CANAL TUMOUR AND INFECTIONS. WHAT TO DO?
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow). 21 Jan 2026. 

BE KIND TO PETS VETERINARY EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
sponsored by Toa Payoh Vets 

SINGAPORE - 14 JAN 2026: A 16-month-old female Syrian hamster has a large swelling below the left ear. "It is quite soft," Jasmine texted to me. "The cause is likely to be an abscess with or without left lateral ear canal tumours," I replied. "Prompt veterinary treatment is needed."

ANAESTHESIA. "All anaesthesia carries risk of death," said Dr Daniel. "Hence you have been briefed about the risks and sign the Anaesthetic Consent form."

"As the hamster is eating, she will likely survive the anaesthesia and surgery. The later the surgery is done, the higher the risk of death as the hamster will become weaker due to bacterial infections."

SURGERY will be two procedures:
1. Ear Amputation: Removal of the lateral ear canal (brown rectangle). It will likely have ear canal tumours and pus.
2. Lance and drain the giant skin abscess below the ear (yellow oval).
After thorough cleaning of the wound, the skin is stitched up (blue crosses).

PROGNOSIS:
The Syrian hamster will lead a normal life. Its life span is 2.5 to 3 years. Therefore, this
AMPUTATION of the lateral ear canal with tumours SAVES HER LIFE.

NO SURGERY DONE:
Some owners may prefer no surgery to avoid ear canal amputation.
Abscess gets larger and larger. The hamster scratches it to relieve her pain and itchiness.  The bacterial infection will likely spread to the eye, nose, gums, brain, internal organs. It ruptures due to scratching (red bars), spilling tattered rotting tissues and pus. The hamster stops eating and dies of sepsis.
Euthanaisa. Death before her time.   

CONCLUSION:
Prompt veterinary treatment saves lives, in this case. Amputation of the lateral ear canal, likely with ear tumours inside, will NOT affect the quality of life of this Syrian hamster. She will lead a normal life as she has around 8 - 14 months to live, assuming a life span of 2.5 to 3 years.   

 
UPDATE: 

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4792-vet-case-large-ear-canal-abscess.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canon R5  24-105mm lens

103mm, 1/3200 sec, f/4, iso 180. AV mode
paper on sunlight on road outside gate
21 Jan 2026. 11.08 am

handheld

 

 

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4791. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300 mm. The white-breasted waterhen

 

 

12 Jan 2026. 4.32pm
Canon R5, 75mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1000, tv mode 

 

 

Normally shy, avoiding humans, this white-breasted waterhen makes a few trips to the outdoor dining areasof the Kopitiam food centre in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, foraging for human food very cautiously.

TO BUY PHOTO:shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

 

 

 

 

4790. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300 mm lens. The Pieris plant.

 SINGAPORE – 14 JAN 2026: Yishun Pond shores opposite Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is planted with PIERIS which is a genus of 7 species of evergreen shrubs. The new glossy red leaves turn green when mature. It is also known as forest flame bush. It is a popular ornamental roadside plant and hedge that has been cultivated by NParks nowadays.

14 Jan 2026. 10.12am
Canon R5 75mm
1/1600 sec

f/4
iso 640

4789. PHOTOGRAPHY - 75 - 300mm lens. The female Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital on 12 January 2026.

 

The female Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's Botanic Garden.
12 January 2026. 4.09pm
Canon R5, 210mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 5000

The female's pattern appearance is in stark contrast to the male's entirely glossy black plumage.

 

  [12:27, 17/01/2026] Dr David Sing: Good afternoon. This bird appeared twice on the same tree to give me a 2nd chance to take her photo.

[12:27, 17/01/2026] Dr David Sing: The female Asian Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's Botanic Garden.
12 January 2026. 4.09pm
Canon R5, 210mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 5000. tv mode. 

The female's pattern appearance is in stark contrast to the male's entirely glossy black plumage

 

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 12 January 2026. 4.15pm
Canon R5, 250mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 10000. tv mode. 

 

 

 

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WILDLIFE SINGAPORE STORIES - Video - Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow). SECOND CHANCES.

Wild birds rarely linger for more than 60 seconds and present a full-body view prized by photographers. 

This case is named SECOND CHANCES for the following reasons:   

On 12 January 2026, I visited my hospitalised wife at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH). In the afternoon,

I tried my luck taking the few wild birds at KTPH. A large spotted bird appeared hidden inside

the leaves of the trees inside the small Botanic Gardens opposite the Kopitiam food court.

It was difficult to take a full-body view of the female Asian Koel hidden inside the leaves

The bird stayed less a minute perched among the leaves. I was happy to get a full-body view. Almost full body! 

The bird re-appeared later for me to take another photo some minutes later. Hence you can see my two photos. 

In real life, one may get a second chance, but one must be prepared to receive it. For a photographer, he must have his camera at hand! 

UPDATES AT:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4789-female-asian-koel-eudynamys.html