PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Sparrows in Xi'An. Use TV Mode. Take multiple shots from moving wheelchair and hope for the best.
Canon R5,105mm, TV, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1600
One good shot out of more than 10.
China - Xi’An’s sparrows
inside the Terracotta Warrior Museum area
1 Mar 2024
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5606-photography-tips-sparrows-in-xian.html
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Indoor food stall. Use manual mode.
14 Aug 2024. Long queue. Pay first. Get buzzer and wait to be called to a seat. Waited over one hour.
Canon R5, Manual, 32mm, 1/100 sec, f/4.0, ISO 320. Focus on signboard name.
#singapore
#eatery
#nakajimasuisan
#toapayohvets
#kongyuensing
#singkongyuen
#shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
Grilled Black Cod (Gindara) Teriyaki Set.
Grilled
Black Cod Teriyaki Set (Gindara Teriyaki Set) ($18.80)
The sauce
that came with the fish was sweet. The cod fish was tender and so and
the skin crispy. The rice was well cooked and the side dishes of
salad and soup were okay.
TO
BUY PHOTO: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5605-photography-tips-indoor-food-stall.html
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Swaying African Tulip flowers. Use TV Mode to get sharp images.
African Tulips swaying in the breeze as seen from the 5th floor of
NEX carpark NTUC, from bud to blossom to aged stalk, symbolising
stages of people’s lives.
Canon R5, TV Mode, 100mm, f/4.5, 1/500 sec. 13 Aug 2024. 6.25pm.
#orange-redflowers
#singapore
#africantulips
#toapayohvets
#kongyuensing
#singkongyuen
#shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
TO
BUY
PHOTO: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5604-photography-tips-swaying-african.html
SINGAPORE - 13 AUG 2024: African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) is an ornamental tree grown on roadsides. It has bright red-orange lantern-like flowers and banana-shaped flower buds.
Canon R5, TV Mode, 105mm, f/4.5, 1/500 sec. ISO 800
13 Aug 2024. 6.25pm.
#orange-redflowers
#singapore
#africantulips
#toapayohvets
#kongyuensing
#singkongyuen
#shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
TO
BUY
PHOTO: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5604-photography-tips-swaying-african.html
Digital camera. Issue 272. Sept 2023.
www.digitalcameraworld.com
SHOOT FOR THE MOON.
1. Focal length and sensor size.
1.1 150-600mm lens can achieve great moon shots.
1.2 Camera with a cropped sensor such as APS-C or MFT will give you an even greater reach. (e.g. 300mm lens in cropped sensor of 1.6x gives you 480mm lens.
2. Moon phases.
2.1 Use moon phase calendar e.g. www.timeanddatecom/moon.
supermoon - moon is larger in the sky.
blood moons - moon reddish hue
lunar eclipse - moon moves into Earth's shadow.
3. Use tripod.
Switch off IS as it can introduce blur when shooting on tripods.
Earth spins at 1,000mph, so moon moves quickly in the night sky.
Use an f/8 aperture for decent sharpness and a shutter speed at least 1/200 sec to freeze the moon.
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21 Dec 2024. 7.55 am. Winter solistice. China tong yit.
Morning moon over Lentor Estate.
Canon R5, 105mm, 1/1600 sec. f/4.0, ISO 250. Manual mode.
Camera balanced on ledge. IS is on. No tripod.
Digital camera. Issue 272. Sept 2023.
www.digitalcameraworld.com
Discover deep sky imagery. Pg. 64.
TOP TIP
Check the moon phase. What phases it is and what time it rises and sets as it can cause extra light pollution and make your stars less bright.
Use the lunar calendar at: www.timeanddatecom/moon
It is best to shoot in the week before or after a New Moon, when it reflects less light and when it is set below the horizon for less light pollution.
1. Deep sky photography, you need a long telephoto lens, tripod, equatorial mount and the ability to shoot over a clear night for several hours.
eg. 100 mins f/4.9, ISO 1250 Melotte 15 star cluster. A 150-600mm lens to take detailed shots of the nebulae and distant galaxies. If you use an APS-C sensor, you can zoom in and create more detailed images due to the crop factor (e.g. 1.6x makes a 300mm lens equal to 480mm).
Combat condensation on cold nights. Surround your lens with a battery-powered heat wrap.
Digital camera. Issue 272. Sept 2023.
www.digitalcameraworld.com
SHOOT AMAZING ASTRO!
The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is seen in parts of the northern hemisphere where solar winds meet the atmosher and create a mesmerising light show.
1. A tripod is essential.
2. The trick is to capture an image with pin-sharp stars, but using a shutter speed just long enough to inject a bit of motion into the aurora as it 'dances' through your scene.
10 - 15 seconds get good results but that depends on your lens and focal length you're using.
PHOTO SHOWN: 8 secs, f/2, ISO 400.
A wide-angle lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or wider is ideal.
A head torch to see where you're going and keep your hands free to dial in the settings.
A red filter maintains your night vision without affecting the shot when it is exposed.
Digital camera. Issue 272. Sept 2023.
www.digitalcameraworld.com
Interview: Dani Connor's wildlife journey.
1. Advices for readers to improve their photos:
1.1. Know your kit. e.g. R5. She didn't test the settings before going out with the R5.
1.2. Make photography buddies. e.g. FB group "Young wildlife photographers, UK?". Organised meet-ups.
2. Zoom lenses. RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM lens. Can zoom out to get more context with your environment or zoom in to get tight portrait shot.
3. Lenses she used. Favourite is Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM super-telephoto prime. Her go-to wildlife lens. Love shooting at f/2.8, useful for poorly lit environment and in deep woodland.
She uses it on the EOS R5 and R7 via a Mount Adapter EF-EOS R.
4. Her APS-C EOS R7 camera has 1.6X crop factor. If she shot with her 300mm lens, the R7 produces an equivalent of 480mm. Extra reach was nice. Camera is light and stable, perfect for travelling and on-the-go shooting.
5. She uses EOS R5 mirrorless now. R5 has animal eye-tracking. Pin-sharp on the eyes of a dog moving towards her. Two years on, she finds mirrorless fits her photo and video needs, far better than DSLR.
6. Which camera features she use for wildlife?
On the R7, she likes the Raw Burst Mode. It allows you to half-press your shutter and start taking photos. It saves the photos onto the card once you fully press the shutter. You shoot entire sequence (e.g. a bird taking off from a branch but you don't know when) and not miss a moment. Multiple full raw files will be saved and you can decide which photo you like the most.
UPDATES:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5599-smartphone-photos-samsung-galaxy.html
FLORA SINGAPORE - The Simpoh Air is an attractive ornamental plant in public parks in Singapore. Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow). August 2024.
An iPhone 15 Pro Max video documents the beauty of the Simpoh Air plant in August 2024. It is cultivated in a few public parks and gardens in Singapore by NParks.
Its large brilliant yellow flowers and large leaves promote mental wellness to visitors who have time to admire its beauty.
This plant is seen in the Lentor MRT Station public gardens. It is well maintained by NParks and is a natural piece of artwork.
Video and images of Healthy Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffructicosa) plants in Lentor MRT Station garden created using Capcut.
Simpoh Air (Dillenia suffruticosa) is a shrub bearing large yellow flowers, large leaves and fruit capsules that are red when developed. It is used as an ornamental plant in public gardens.
#simpohair
#dilleniasuffructicosa
#toapayohvets
#kongyuensing
#singkongyuen
#shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
TO BUY PHOTO: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2024/08/5598-video-and-images-of-healthy-simpoh.html
Green, or common, iguanas are among the largest lizards in the Americas, averaging around 6.5 feet long and weighing about 11 pounds
One of the most popular pet lizards is the iguana. However, they require a significant time investment and a high level of care. They have severe feeding and housing requirements and can grow to be fairly large and are extremely powerful. They can also be tough to tame and may grow hostile if not handled regularly. Thus, here are some things you should be aware of if you decide to get an Iguana as a pet.
Behavior and Temperament
Pet iguanas must be picked up and held regularly for them to learn to trust you and feel at ease in their surroundings. This can be difficult because they frequently find human interaction odd and may oppose it. As a result, you must handle your iguana with caution and compassion.
Some iguanas prefer to climb on their humans, so if your pet iguana enjoys this pastime, wear protective gear. The tail of an adult iguana is strong enough to break a human bone. When handling them, pay alert to any struggling or hostility, especially if youngsters or other pets are present.
Iguanas, like most pet reptiles, carry salmonella, which can be found in the iguana's digestive tract. Before and after spending time with your pet, wash your hands well and avoid touching your face. Take particular measures if you have young children, seniors, pregnant women, or immunocompromised persons in your house.
Iguanas can be tamed with adequate daily care, but they have a strong self-defense drive and will bite, scratch, and whip their tails if challenged.
Kidney disease, which is commonly caused by dehydration, is a common health issue for iguanas. If your iguana is lethargic, has to swell on its body, and is drinking or urinating regularly, take it to a veterinarian right away.
Fresh food is essential for an iguana's health, and a high-protein diet can lead to health problems such as kidney failure. Iguanas in the wild are strict herbivores who avoid ingesting animal protein, even insects.
In addition to a high-quality pelleted commercial meal, give your iguana some fruit and a calcium supplement. Furthermore, iguanas require constant access to fresh water. Follow your veterinarian's feeding recommendations to keep your pet at a healthy weight for his or her size.
Because iguanas ingest their food whole without chewing, everything you serve must be diced or shredded into tiny pieces.
Iguanas can grow to be up to 7 feet long when their tail is included, and they typically weigh around 20 pounds. As a result, an aquarium or a tiny reptile enclosure is a very short-term residence for a baby iguana. This size often astounds individuals who begin with a small baby iguana as a pet.
Most commercially available cages are inadequate for this tree-dwelling species. A suitable enclosure for a single iguana measure around 12 feet in length, 6 feet wide, and 8 feet tall. Many iguana owners prefer custom-built enclosures with ramps, shelves, and climbable branches. Many people may even transform a full room or a large closet into an iguana's habitat.
To digest its meal, the iguana requires a temperature of roughly 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat lamps normally placed less than a foot away from basking ledges, can be used to achieve an ideal temperature. The iguana likes to bask at 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and its habitat should not be colder than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use UVB reptile lights to offer adequate light exposure for 10 to 12 hours every day. Mercury vapor bulbs are appropriate for big enclosures or rooms. Your iguana will be able to bask in these lights thanks to the large branches and shelves in the enclosure.
Iguanas require at least 70% humidity in their surroundings. You can make your iguana's habitat more humid by adding a pool of water to the enclosure or using a mister. Misting your iguana twice a day is generally recommended to enhance humidity and preserve healthy skin.
Here, we'll list some of the pros and cons you should consider before keeping an Iguana as a pet.
If cared for properly, Iguanas can easily live for more than 20 years. With commitment, there is no reason your iguana cannot live this long.
Iguanas require exact living conditions to live a long and healthy life. They will require a terrarium that is large enough to accommodate their final size, as well as appropriate lighting, humidity, and temperature conditions. Not to mention the costly appointments with a vet who specializes in exotic animals. If you believe you will struggle to keep an iguana for the next 20 years, you should consider a different pet.
Iguanas eat leaves, fruits, flowers, and vegetables in the wild, and this entirely herbivorous diet must be mimicked in captivity. Iguanas do not drink much water in the wild because the greens they eat and the humidity in their surroundings keep them hydrated. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian for a more specific nutrition regimen for your pet iguana.
If your iguana is exceptionally resistant, taming it can take YEARS. If you don't have the patience to wait so long, there are many more docile lizards available. Giving them food with your hand is also a possibility; this way, they will understand that you mean no harm.
If you enjoy observing iguanas, it's preferable if they're awake at the same time as you. Iguanas are diurnal species, meaning they wake up with the sun. In the wild, they can be found basking in the sun on a tree branch.
Iguanas have powerful jaws and will bite if they feel threatened. Rapid or unexpected movements can shock an iguana, and toddlers can be fidgety. If an iguana feels threatened and decides to strike, its powerful tail can cause significant harm. So, if you have especially young children, you might want to hold off on the iguana for now.
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Male green iguanas have highly developed femoral pores on the underside of their thighs, which secrete a scent (females have femoral pores, but they are smaller in comparison to those of the males).[8] In addition, the dorsal spines that run along a green iguana's back are noticeably longer and thicker in males than they are in females, making the animals somewhat sexually dimorphic.[8]
Male green iguanas tend to display more dominant behaviors, such as head bobbing and tail whipping. They also tend to develop a taller dorsal crest than females, as well as taller dorsal spines (or spikes). Large, round, very pronounced jowls are generally a male characteristic. Jowls are located under the jaw and are protected by the subtympanic plate, which is a large, green, circular-shaped scale.
Green iguanas are oviparous, with females laying clutches of 20 to 71 eggs once per year during a synchronized nesting period.[35][40] The female green iguana gives no parental protection after egg laying, apart from defending the nesting burrow during excavation.[40] In Panama, the green iguana has been observed sharing nest sites with American crocodiles, and in Honduras with spectacled caimans.[16]
The hatchlings emerge from the nest after 10–15 weeks of incubation.[35][40] Once hatched, the young iguanas look similar to the adults in color and shape, resembling adult females more so than males and lacking dorsal spines.[40]
Juveniles stay in familial groups for the first year of their lives.[40] Male green iguanas in these groups often use their own bodies to shield and protect females from predators, and it appears to be the only species of reptile to do this.[41]
When frightened by a predator, green iguanas attempt to flee, and if near a body of water, dive into it and swim away.[14] If cornered by a threat, the green iguana extends and displays the dewlap under its neck, stiffens and puffs up its body, hisses, and bobs its head at the aggressor.[9] If the threat persists, the iguana can lash with its tail, bite, and use its claws in defense.[14] The wounded are more inclined to fight than uninjured prey.[14]
Green iguanas use "head bobs" and dewlaps in a variety of ways in social interactions, such as greeting another iguana or to court a possible mate.[8] The frequency and number of head bobs have particular meanings to other iguanas.[9]
Green iguanas are hunted by predatory birds, and their fear of these is exploited as a ploy to catch them in the wild.[14] A hunter imitates the sound of a hawk by whistling or screaming, causing the iguana to freeze and making its capture easier.[14]
