Monday, January 5, 2026
Sunday, January 4, 2026
4372. An Anole lizard intimidated me.
SCRIPT FOR VIDEO
Have you ever seen an angry lizard in the Bird Paradise? The Bird Paradise is for birds, not lizards. I was surprised to see one reptile.
WILDLIFE SINGAPORE - AN ANGRY BROWN ANOLE INTIMIDATED ME.
Doctor Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
Educational Video created: 4 Jan 2026
20 Oct 2025 was a warm bright sunshine blue skies morning to connect with Nature. Many tourists posed for photographs at the Orchid Waterfall Garden with the orchids as a backdrop.
Some were less than two feet away from this lizard lying on a low tree stump amid the orchid flowers.
This Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) was a small brown lizard found usually in the Caribbean. He was introduced into the Bird Paradise via plants imported by the nurseries.
Since he stayed put, I decided to photograph and video him from a distance of six feet.
Head-bobbing up and down. It looked like he was doing push ups to appear bigger. His red dewlap which is skin below his throat ballooned out 3 times in succession and then once more.
I knew he was intimidating me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard during my past decade of Nature journalling.
This is a rare video footage of the Anole's communication to make himself look bigger and more intimidating or stronger to attract the female.
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html
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WILDLIFE SINGAPORE - AN ANGRY BROWN ANOLE INTIMIDATED ME.
Doctor Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
Educational Video created: 4 Jan 2026
Have you ever seen an angry lizard in the Bird Paradise?
The Bird Paradise is for birds, not lizards. I was surprised to see one reptile.
20 Oct 2025 was a warm bright sunshine blue skies morning to connect with Nature. A gentle breeze wafted the fragrance of the orchids at the Orchid Waterfall garden to my nose.
Many tourists posed for photographs with the orchids as a backdrop. Some tourists were less than two feet away from this lizard. They posed, laughed and took selfies. If they were predators, this Anole would be eaten in a flash.
But the humans didn't faze him. "Faze" is a word that means "to frighten away".
"These ladies want to look pretty besides the orchids," he thought. "One man did point at me. But people would not spot me as my brown colour camouflaged me on the brown stump!"
He was nonplussed about the posing tourists, as he had become accustomed to them over the weeks.
This Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) is a small brown lizard found usually in the Caribbean. He was introduced into the Bird Paradise via plants imported by the nurseries.
He was alert, eyeing me and fully aware of my presence as I was setting up my Canon R5 camera and positioning my tripod on the soft soil some six feet away.
I knew he was intimidating me based on similar four previous encounters with the Oriental Garden Lizard in the past decade of Nature journalling.
This is a rare video footage of the Anole's communication to make himself look bigger and more intimidating or stronger to attract the female.
UPDATE: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html
--------------------
I focused
on his eyes and shot several images. He was not disconcerted. He did not
scurry away unlike most lizards.
Since he stayed put, I decided
to video him. This video is a rare footage of a lizard intimidating
me!During the past decade, I encountered such behaviours around four
times, researched the internet and hence knew what the behaviour meant.
Head-bobbing up and down. It looked like he was doing push ups to appear bigger.
His
red dewlap ballooned out 3 times. I did not back away. He expanded his
dewlap once more making him stronger and larger. I knew he was
intimidating me based on similar four previous encounters with the
Oriental Garden Lizard in the past decade of Nature journalling.
This is a rare video footage of the Anole's very short communication as I usually don't have time to video its action.
P.S
Why do anioles have a dewlap?
The
dewlap is a longitudinal flap of skin that hangs below the neck. Anoles
are not very vocal, so the dewlap provides a communication tool that
can be waved like a flag.
When an anole is angry, he flashes
his dewlap repeatedly and may perform push-ups and head bobbing to make
himself look bigger and more intimidating.
A male displays this behaviour to a female to look stronger and appealing.
UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.html
------------------------------------------
This is a rare video footage of the Anole's very short communication as I usually don't have time to video its very short duration of head bobbing, push-ups and dewlap ballooning during my past 10 years of Nature journalling.UPDATES, VIDEOS AND IMAGES AT
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4372-anole-lizard-intimidated-me.htmlshutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
youtube.com/@99pups
Anole lizards in Singapore are primarily the non-native Brown Anole (Norops sagrei), an invasive species accidentally introduced via plant shipments around 2012, now widespread in parks and gardens, known for males flashing orange dewlaps and shifting color. While native Green Anoles exist, the Brown Anole population is growing, raising concerns about competition with native species, though they serve as food for some local birds, notes Nature in Singapore.
Brown anole "push-ups" are displays of dominance, territorial defense, and mating signals, where males rapidly lift and lower their bodies, often with head bobs and dewlap (throat fan) extensions, to intimidate rivals or attract females, showing off their strength without needing a physical fight. These movements are a key part of their communication, telling other males "back off" and signaling fitness to females.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
4371. PHOTOGRAPHY MESS HALL SENTOSA
SINGAPORE - 1 JAN 2026: Originally built as a military recreational club for soldiers in 1904, the Mess Hall at Sentosa is a restored two-storey colonial building housing food and beverage outlets and luxurious accommodation.
Canon R5 97mm tripod
1/100 sec, f/14, ISO 200
From Hidemasa by Hide Yamamoto’s refined Japanese cuisine, to Royal Taj’s curries and biryani, and Quentin’s Bar and Restaurant’s sophisticated Eurasian dishes, here is our guide on the 3 restaurants at Mess Hall that you have to dine at.
Friday, January 2, 2026
4369. PHOTOGRAPHY of the Yellow Assassin Bug
Cosmolestes picticeps, known as the Yellow Assassin Bug, is a predatory insect in the Reduviidae family, famous for its striking colors and effective hunting method: stabbing prey with its proboscis, injecting toxins to liquefy insides, then sucking them out. This beneficial bug preys on other insects (like aphids and bagworms) and can even sip nectar, making it useful for biological pest control in agriculture, especially oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia.
Thursday, January 1, 2026
@HER.VOICES. I raised my son alone and pay for his wedding, but he told his wife I was just a guest.
@HER.VOICES. I raised my son alone and pay for his wedding, but he told his wife I was just a guest.
I Raised My Son Alone and Pay for His Wedding, But He Told His Wife I Was ‘Just a Guest’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2xF2LpjUs8&t=929s
I had to choose me
You forgot where you came from
You don't fix it
You live with it
Slowly, deliberately, without anger
I always stood right in front of you
But you couldn't see me
4367. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: RF lens 75 - 300 mm. Canon R5 - Memecylon caeruleum
A hypanthium is a structure where basal portions of the calyx, the corolla, and the stamens form a cup-shaped tube. It is sometimes called a floral tube, a term that is also used for corolla tube and calyx tube
4366. Eve of New Year 2025
1. Morning. Lentor Loop.
1. Met Siew, a 90-year-old woman with silver hair, slim. Walk without tongkat for short distances. No balance problem. A few missing front teeth. She spoke Mandarin. Unmarried. Her brother's son whom she cared for, asked her to live with him now. He also had his mother-in-law living with him and 2 adult children. "Thïs nephew's mother didn't love him as a child,"she said. "There are mothers like that," I replied. "They don't want the burden of taking care of kids."
Siew had to help her father who ran a laundry shop in Orchard Road. No school attendance. Father preferred to invest his $50,000 savings in a co-operative which closed down and he lost all money. He didn't want to invest in his house in Oxley which would have had made him very rich. "Nowadays, the government ensures co-operatives don't swindle", Siew said. We talked about my children. She was fortunate to have a nephew who asked her to live with him as she is alone.
2. Evan was very gung-ho. Full of energy. Wanted attention. Went to my ground floor room. Leg paddled his tricycle to Fudu Park. Leg paddled furiously at bend in Fudu Park. Fell and handle of triccyoe hit his right face but no injury. Cried. Comforted by Gema. I took a photo. I pushed Owen in his pram. He was quiet and shook his legs as he enjoyed the outing. Put him near a shrub. He touched the leaves. When his legs were brushed by the leaves, he moved his legs away.
Took some photos of purple flowered plants with zoom lens. Blurry.
3. Afternoon. The Barracks. Two suites rented by LP to watch fireworks. I drove. Tiring. Took some photos. Spoke at length to security guard Gopal 69 who said Tamil Naidu had named children "Lee Kuan Yew"and the migrant workers can tolerate sun for long hours unlike the Chinese Nationals and locals. They grew up in such conditions. They would be thrifty - rice, curry and one vegetable so as to save money for home
Had dinner at Trapizza via buggy ride.
Mediacorp beach party. Loud.
Took photos of half-flowers in Trapizza and The Mess Hall.
Maia suddenly came to say "Happy New Year" to me and grandma as we left The Barracks to go to N2 house. She avoided my hug but hugged grandma. Hugs cannot be forced.
Night.
Noisy karaoke night at N2. Adrial made some small chat and left seat. Angie, 83 talked more when asked about Betty who is into health therapies and whose son Adam Khoo did not attend an uncle's gathering in a Dunearn Road house which has a very long hall, accommodating 100 people easily. Owner has events often.
Toh Chin Chye - a physiologist worked with her father-in-law who lectures on physiology to undergraduates. Her husband, E had said that he would catch stray cats and get paid S$5.00 per cat. Ï
. Ït is not easy to catch stray cats,"Angie said in her gentle voice. She was able to converse. Her daughter Joel had a scholarship from Ngee Ann Polytechnci to study disaster managent and sustainability in Newcaste. NAP stopped giving overseas scholarhip (bond 5 years) after her receipt of scholarhips.
Ariel studies Masters in Music Therapy now. He appeared overwhelmed by loud Karaoke singing and had closed his eyes a few times. His father didn't attend to usher in New Year but came in the afternoon with the family. He had CAP during long cruise, but had excellent appetite. CAP is Community Acquired Pneumonia.
Such crowded events are not for me.
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
4365. ANNULMENT OF MARRIAGE -
Her Voices - youtube.com/@HER.VOICES
The crack of my daughter's hand across my face echoed through the cathedral like a gunshot. 300 guest gasped in unison as I stumbled backwards, my cheek burning with the force of her slap. By the time security reached us, Emma was already screaming that I had ruined her perfect day forever.
If you're watching this, subscribe and let me know where you're watching from
Now, let me tell you how a $30 million wedding gift turned into the most humiliating moment of my 67 years on this planet. My name is Sarah Mitchell and until 6 months ago, I thought I know exactly who my daughter was. 23 years of raising her from a broken 5-year-old intgo what I believed was a successful and loving adult, 23 years of bedtime stories, school plays, graduation ceremonies and heart-to-heart conversations about life, love and following your dreams.
an incredible generous sacrifice
downpayment on house
---annulment. marriage legally void.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Case of manipulative entitled daughter
@HER.VOICES
"My daughter banned me from her wedding, but when the groom talked
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6hFNjno8Q0
the mother's bank account signature - forged.
mother reported the fraud. Husband David begged but Sarah
husband's credit card application also forged by Sarah but he covered up for her
victim of circumstances, bad luck or financial pressures
charged with identity theft and forgery - both felonies
22 years of financial support
$87,000 wedding expenses was not enough
now used forged documents
Everytime she made a financial mistake
Mum enabled
David said: she made a mistake""
she made a choice
Someone who commits forgery
She should face whatever consequence
Sarah had to choose to be a better person
She has to make her choice
Mum made a choice to enable her behaviour in first 22 years
Now a choice to make her understand her consequences
22 years paying for love
Love that should be given for free
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
REAL CASE
contribution to the wedding expenses - lunch paid by the father. $25,000.
his son kept the $18,000 receipts
loan sharks swooped up his $18,000
wife warned not to marry his son, but she ignored him
intelligent, a teacher
able to change his gambling habits, womanising, drinks
marriage built on a foundation of lies
marriage annulled
he wanted a wife he could control
she annulled her marriage
his father's sacrifices
to pay for his wedding expenses
apartment
photographs by renowned photographer sold
but the son is a spoiled brat
apartment deposit
new car
public school
didn't set clear boundaries
son took financial support for granted
husband doesn't have the resources
Monday, December 29, 2025
4364. Writing. Her Voices. I found a tracker under my car. @HER.VOICES.
29 Dec 2025
Writing. Her Voices. I found a tracker under my car. @HER.VOICES
David Mitchell is what my generation would call easy on the eyes.
37 years old, works in financial planning, drives a BMS that's always spotless, and has the kind of smile that waitresses give him extra bread rolls.
Emma met him at some charity gala where rich people pay $500 to eat rubber chicken and feel good about themselves. She was smitten from day one. She's never been smitten by anything that wasn't bad for her. My only child has always had a talent for choosing men the way some people choose lottery numbers with hope, enthusiasm, and absolutely no logic whatsoever.
There was Marcus the musician who turned out to be married. Brett, the business man who turned out to be broke and Kevin the entrepreneur who turned out to be selling essential oils to his grandmother's bridge club.
So when Emma walked through my door three and a half years ago with David in tow, I was prepared for the worst. But David seemed different. He asked thoughtful questions, remembered details from previous conversations and actually helped clear the table without being asked. He brought me flowers on Mother's Day , not the gas station variety, but actual arrangements from a real florists.
He listened when I talked about Richard''s death and never once suggested that I should start dating again or shouldn't waste my golden years alone.
Most importantly, he made Emma happy Really genuinuely happy, not the manic kind of happy she displayed with the others. She glowed when she talked about him. And for the first time in years, our Sunday dinners included someone who actually wanted to be there.
So when David suggested last Friday that my car needed maintenance before my weekend business trip to Portland, I didn''t question it. I should have. But grief and loneliness have a way of making you grateful for any sign that someone cares about your safety. Even if that someone has only been family for 3 year sand has never shown any previous interest in automotive maintenance. "Clara,"he''d said using that concerned son-in-law voice that I was still getting used to. "When's the last time you had the oil changed in that Lexus? "You're driving 3 hours each way to Portland and I'd hate for something to happen to you on tghe road.""