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"

6000. Father-daughter family travel in Sentosa - mental and physical wellness

 

5 May 2026: 1.39pm

A father holds his little daughter's hand as they navigate the tourist sights of Sentosa island. Family travels  promote mental and physical wellness.

 

Canon R5, 80mm, 1/1000 sec, f/4.5, iso 2500

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Father and daughter in Scotts Road tourists.
6 May 2026. 1.36pm
CanonR5 95mm, a/100 sec, f/14, iso 500 

5999. Pomegranate

 

 

 

 

 SINGAPORE - 4 MAY 2026: 10.20am. The pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing, deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows to between 1.5 to 5 metres tall. This plant is grown in a kerbside garden in Lentor Plain outside a house.

 

Canon R5, 130mm, 1/640 sec, f/5.6, iso 100
4 May 2026, 10.20am. Shot from inside my car. 

 

 One of my neighbours at Lentor Plain has grown a healthy pomegranate shrub on the kerbside garden. It is around 2 metres tall, common height in local shrubs grown in private houses. In one country overseas, I did see a pomegranate tree as tall as 5 metres.

5998. Lesser Grass Blue butterfly. Tripod. Sleeping at 8 am. Lentor Road Park.

 

 

 Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis)
Lentor Road park
6 May 2026. 8.22am

sleeping in the shade, cool, no sunlight here 

Canon R5,300mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, iso 1000

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 6 May 2026. 8.20am

Lesser Grass Blue. Lentor Road Park

 

Canon R5, 300mm, 1/400 sec, f/5.6, ISO 1000. tripod.

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 Canon R5, 300mm, 1/1600 sec, f/5.6, iso 12800. tv mode, tripod

 
7 May 2026. 7.58am. Still asleep.
Should have used AV mode. 

5997. Oriental Garden Lizard in Lentor Road on 7 May 2026

 

Catchlights are the lights reflected in a subject’s eyes. Portraits are almost always better with catchlights.  

Catchlights add life and sparkle, while their absence can result in dull, lifeless images.

10, 2 or 12 are the ideal positions for catchlight reflections in a subject’s eyes.

5996. Video. Wildlife Singapore. American Flamingos

 Video dedicated to my granddaughter Hong Ya. 

5995. Leaf galls

4 May 2026. KTPH

Canon R5, 75mm, 1/80 sec, f/5.6, iso 160

 

leaf galls 

5994. Female junglefowl and chick.

Female junglefowl and chick forage at the Yishun Pond Park. The hen uses her claws to dig diligently into the ground to look for worms. The chick follows her closely.

 

Canon R5, 205mm, 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 5000

 

 

 SINGAPORE - 4 MAY 2026: 8.41am. The female Junglefowl and her chick are patrolling the grounds of the Yishun Pond Park. The hen digs the ground diligently to look for worms or insects.

Canon R5, 240mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6, iso 1250

The chick shadows the hen  

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 Canon R5, 240mm, 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 10000
4 May 2026. 8.42am

5993. TEREA and VEEV

 

TEREA SMARTCORE STICKS™ are specially designed, heated tobacco units made exclusively for the IQOS ILUMA induction heating device. They provide a smoke-free alternative to cigarettes by heating tobacco rather than burning it, featuring a built-in metal element that creates a cleaner, consistent experience without, or with minimal, odor. [1, 2, 3]

Key Aspects of TEREA:

• Exclusivity: Only for IQOS ILUMA; they cannot be used with older IQOS models (e.g., DUO/3) as they will damage the device.
• Technology: Features a fully sealed, tobacco-filled stick with a metal heating element, offering a consistent draw and no tobacco residue.
• Flavours: Available in a wide variety of, including rich/roasted (Regular), refined, crisp, and fruity/cooling flavors (e.g., Oasis Pearl, Tidal Pearl).
• Nicotine: Each stick generally provides a similar nicotine experience to a single cigarette, containing roughly \(0.5\text{mg}\) of nicotine.
• Availability: Widely sold by Philip Morris International (PMI) in various countries, though not available everywhere (e.g., illegal in Singapore). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
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•  Veev (stylised as VEEV) is a brand of electronic cigarettes (e-vapor products) manufactured by Philip Morris International (PMI).

5992. Oriental Garden Lizard in Banyan Villas Park

 

 

 SINGAPORE - 28 APR 2026: 8.58am. This adult Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor) resides in the vicinity of Banyan Villas Park. He is either a male in the non-breeding season or a female. He is basking in the morning sunlight.

Canon R5, 160 mm, 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

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 2 APR 2026