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30 April, 2013

interview

So rusty in interviews...what kind of first impression was I giving? Seems like the jobs that I'm looking at currently, are all employers market. Just today, there were two other candidates (before and after my slot) that's vying for the same position. Probably more since interviews are still ongoing for the next two to three weeks.

Not sure where all these are going, but am trying to make a change. Wish me good luck.

19 April, 2013

getting tougher

as day passes by, things get tougher
friends get lesser
family gets older

and that feeling of knowing nothing
even people that you thought you knew
but in actual fact, knows nothing


is this what's life's about?

02 April, 2013

Jurong Bird Park - A Walk Through

Accessible via bus #251 and #194 from Jurong Point Bus Interchange. Park opens at 830am, and woke up at 7+ am, but reached there around 10. Most of the people on that bus, drops at JBP, so no worries.

park signage
ticket
gift shop at the entrance

Brought the new NX1000 with 50-200mm lens for a test drive. Was kind of excited as the park offers many shooting subjects (that never complains!). Hahaa!

Didn't really look at the park map. Just ambled along to see what I could find along the way.

After the entrance, came across an area where the penguins feed. Just in time for their 1030am feeding session. The public can feed the penguins too, for a small token sum.

small fish for the penguins
"Feed me!" The rest of the penguins waited...


Ok, so penguins are cute. Moving on. Saw macaws, so must've walked to Macaw Island.

colourful macaws
closer view

Hehe, with the macaws kind of far away, there were some unsuccessful shots. Like this one:

well, at least the lovebirds had some privacy from the lens

Nearby, is the Flamingo Pool.

flamingos amigos
do they breathe underwater?

Then, went past the Hawk Walk, which looked empty (not showing due to technical issues, replaced by performance at Pools Amphitheatre) and wound up at the Wetlands.

Was kind of shocked by the size of the birds here.

giant bald headed birds
closer view (is it the marabou stork?)
saddle billed stork

Ok, adjacent to Wetlands is the Riverine. There's an aquarium of sorts inside where one can observe the inhabitants of the river.

shooting through the glass

Haha, glass photography...failed. So went up to the surface for better chances of shooting the ducks.

isn't these, the cutest things?!
closer view

Nearing 11am, so went to the Pools Amphitheatre to catch the morning show.

waiting for show to start
flying away

The usual bird tricks include birds competing against each other, birds flying to and from the outstretched hands of audience volunteers, bird that can mimic human speech, and birds flying through hoops. Quite nice to sit through it.

Lastly, get a photo-op with the pink baby flamingos.

a picture with baby birds

From there, wandered off into Heliconia Walk. JBP has 108 heliconia species. How cool is that! This area also houses the kingfisher birds. Very pretty, these kingfishers. Oh, and also the conures. So many different ones!

blue-breasted kingfisher
sun conures (parakeet)
don't shoot, i'm shy

Next up, the Scarlet Ibis and Shore Birds enclosure.

scarlet ibis
closer view
shore birds
perched up high for a bird's eye view


Continued on to the Royal Ramble where it houses the Crowned Pigeons. The doors has heavy chains acting as a curtain to prevent accidental escape of the birds within. Sometimes the bird do come out to the human pathway, so it's really a close encounter!

are you talking about me? Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon

Then went on to Lory's Loft, where one can buy a cup of nectar to feed the birds.

Lory's Loft

Time for a tram ride!

riding the tram
Once the tram reached Main Station, everyone has to get off. Then, hop on to the next tram for the desired destination.

Went back to where the Hornbills and Toucans enclosures are. A rather large area. The toucan is an attractive bird with its brightly coloured beak. It looked almost like a toy!

hornbill
toucan

Some of the hornbills were banging on the cage walls with their powerful beaks. Loud. Then, went on to the Birds of Prey enclosure to see some eagles. Eagles are big. Very big.

bald eagle
After that, passed by and saw some ostrichs and then went straight to Pelican Cove.

"that's the man that'll throw us fishes" The pelicans thought silently.
to jump or not to jump, that is the question
nice wings


The African Waterfall Aviary was rather nice.

figurines at the entrance
Jurong Falls
electric blue feathered birds (superb starling)
an interesting looking little fella (livingstone turaco)
Basically, during the feeding time (1030am and 230pm), the birds would fly over to the feeding area and perch itself on various branches. So if you're standing underneath the branch, the birds are actually just right above your head or shoulder! WoOhooO! As long as they don't shit on our head, then it's ok.

The sky was getting darker then, so took the tram and went back to Main Entrance. Found the Penguin Coast there.

penguin colonies
emperor penguins
tired

JBP has quite a number of areas to cover and 4 to five hours should be sufficient.