11/2011 - Thanggam Forest (30 Apr 2011)

"Showers with thunder in most parts of Singapore" was the weather forcast.  Yes, it rained cats and dogs at about 7+ am in the west but Allan chose a right macro site for today's shoot.  A bright golden sunrise was smiling at us as we drove towards the north-east.

When we reached the meeting point at Lorong Thanggam at 7.30 am punctually, majority of the participants were already there busying setting up their gears.

(Setting up our gears at the meeting point)

Without much delay, some of us headed to the nearby vegetation.  Immediately, subjects were spotted at the entrance of the nature trail.

(Entrance of the nature trail) 

(Many subjects kept the photographers busy)

Some of us explored further into the trail.

Here are some shots showing our photographers in action:

(Allan & Teck Leong testing out a new camera)

(Mohammad in action!)

(Tony in action!)

(Sharon & CT discussing how to best compose a beautiful caterpillar)

(Eugene in action!)

At about 10.30 am, the rain came and it cut short our stay at the Thaggam area.  We quickly packed up and went to the nearby restuarant to eat the best Roti Prata in Singapore!

Participants (26) - Allan Lee ((Trip Leader), Endy Tan, Sharon S. Lim, Anthony Quek, CT Lim, Kyaw Htay, Mohammad KaramiNejadRanjbar, CP Syn, Soh Pui Hoon, Foong KT, Ong Lim Sim, Perilla, SC Fang, Sadiran, Catherine Wong, Vivien Wee, Destine Ang & Kelvin, Steward Ong, Peter Low, Wu Lan xi, Phoebe, Eugene, Leonard Tan & Edmund, Goh Teck Leong.

10/2011 - Jurong Woods II (16 Apr 2011)

It was a refreshing change to see a record of nine ladies joining this outing! As many of them are first timers and are new in macro photography, I asked some IMOG leaders to help me out.  They came in full strength to support me and even though Tony had a morning's appointment, he agreed to come down all the way from Potong Pasir when I said I needed him as I had some transportation problem! These are my trusted photography buddies whom I can depend on and over the years, we treat each other as good friends!

Anyway, I was a little worried the night before when the weather man said it would be cloudy until 9 am this morning and shower with thunder in the later morning. Fortunately, it was much better than expected and we were blessed with another lovely morning.  I reached the meeting point half an hour early at 7 am but CT Lim, as usual, was already there! I was glad that all of us made an effort to be there by 7.30 am especially those who stays as far as Pasir Ris.  Pinky who stays in the east was there before 7 am too! She told me that she was excited about it that she could not sleep well last night.  She set 3 alarm clocks to make sure that she can make it for the outing.  I was impressed by her enthusiasm.    

This was the 2nd time that we visited Jurong Wood II.  We explored the central nature trail when we first came here on 21 Aug last year.  This time round, I wanted to concentrate more on the left & right sides of the green vegetations there.    Here are some photos showing the site conditions and our photographers in actions!

(Start of the shoot)

(Left side of green vegetation)

(Yixiong in action)

(Allan in action)

(Kevin in action)

(Saranjit in action)

(Central path)

(Why was Allan so happy?)

Please click the following links for more images taken during this outing:

"Death & alive" by Kyaw Htay
"Bird dung spider" by Lim Cheow Tin
"Crabby" by Sharon S. Lim
"Flower pistil & sudden visitor" By Sonia Zou
"Spiders" by Mohammad KaramiNejadRanjbar
"Blacklit wild orchid" by Darren Chng
"Few images to share" by Allan Lee

Participants (22) - Anthony Quek (Trip Leader), Endy Tan, Sharon S. Lim, Cai Yixiong, Allan Lee, Darren Chng, CT Lim, Kyaw Htay, Sonia Zou, Mohammad KaramiNejadRanjbar, CP Syn, Flor J, Bonnie, Pricillia, Soh Pui Hoon, Teng Che San, Pinky Lee, David Lee, Foong KT, Tan Peck Kheng & Kevin, Saranjit Bains

9/2011 - Lower Seletar Reservoir (9 Apr 2011)

Another good site was found! This time, IMOG was exploring the North of Singapore, Lower Seletar Reservoir.

I reached the point of gathering at 6:50am, then a few minutes later came CT Lim. He shouted from his car's window opening "Hey Endy, Why are you earlier than me?" I said "Ha..Ha.. I am the trip leader today!" : ) . As always, he was full of energy and ever ready for our regular outing.

But we were not the earliest, there were already 2 uncles there, started harvesting the fresh water plant for aquarium trade. Wah! not an easy job! They woke up so early and stayed very long in the water.

The outing started at about 7:50am. There were 3 routes in sight, but the route-2 was not recommended, as it was quite dangerous to cross the narrow water pipe. Michael went to route-2 and told us that it was indeed quite risky. So we concentrated more at route-1, searching for subjects. Spiders, ladybird beetles, grass hoppers, damselflies, dragonflies, and some small red beetles were among the litte creatures found for our photography.

Later, CP Chan found an average sized stink bug. It was not very colourful, but it had some fine pattern. After a while, when everybody was almost done taking photos of it,  Sharon asked " Why is the size of the upper part of body is getting bigger? why is the colour changing to yellow and red." We soon realized that it was molting! Wow!! We were so lucky!!! All of us got very excited for witnessing its amazing molting process.

At around 10:00am, we went on to route-3 joining Mr. Kyaw and the others who had been  exploring the green area accessible below the flyover / high way. On the way there, I saw a tiny hopper with a very interesting pattern on its wings. Sharon was telling me that we need a specific set-up to photograph it, but I said " No..No..No..! What we really need is Allan!". This is so true, as Allan is so good in taking very small subjects, Ha..! Too bad he was in Paris, we miss you Allan! Hope you are coming back soon!  : )

Route-3 has a flatter ground, safer for senior citizens and all of us to explore. Most of us focus at the area surrounding a temporary temple. Some other little animals found during the trip were : blue glassy tigers, grass yellows, dragonflies, changeable lizards, moths, weevil, plant hoppers, mating millipedes, spiders, and a lot of little blue insects. CT Lim, Mr. Ong LS, CP Chan, and me explored until the end of route but the area at the edge of the reservoir was grown with a dense stretch of elephant grasses which was not easy to maneuver around.

Nearing the end of the trip, I received an SMS from our friend Mohammad, he was late after rushing a report and could not find his way! So...  Me, Cathy, and Vivien went out to the entry of track 24 to get him in. He came just in time for lunch. We ended the outing around 12pm and had a lunch together at the Hawker Centre of Ang Mo Kio Ave 6.

Participants (22) - Endy Tan (Trip Leader), Sharon S. Lim, Anthony Quek, CT Lim, Chan CP, Kyaw Htay, Sonia Zou, Ong Ngee Ming, Joe Tan, Sadiran Samikon, SC Fang, Michael Ee, Joshua Fong, Yeo Tang Lim, Cathy Wong, Ong Lim Sim, Stephen Lim, Leonard Tan, Vivien, Steward Ong, Shirley and Mohammad KaramiNejad Ranjbar

8/2011 - Alexandra Hospital Butterfly Trail (2 Apr 2011)

It was a make-or-break Macro photography outing.  It rained around 530am this morning. An ideal weather to snuggle in bed and sleep but definitely not on a Saturday morning!  I thought to myself, would it stop by 6am?  I closed my eyes and momentarily, my alarm rang at 6am sharp.  The weather was still not looking good. After a few checks with a friend who lives near Alexandra, I made a decision.  I started SMSing everyone that the outing was cancelled.  I could not sleep thereafter.  

Saturday without Macro photography is depressing.  It is the only weekly Informal Macro Photography Outing where friends from all walks of life gather together to share a common interest.  Recently, three more friends from the Philippines, China and Iran joined us.  


At 645am, the weather had somewhat improved.  No blue sky but the familiar morning Sunbirds were chirping happily away outside my bedroom window. A good sign I thought. Simultaneously, a friend who lives near the East Coast told me that according to the NEA weather radar, the rain in Queenstown was clearing too. Well, another good sign! Without further hesitation, I SMSed to everyone again that if they were still awake (like me) and raring to go, they should meet at the butterfly trail.  Most of them turned up before 830am albeit it was drizzling a little.

Our checklist!

Flor getting up close with a group of Bark Lice
and I got goosebumps by looking at them!

Bark Lice by Flor J.

It was a slow start and there were very few subjects to be seen.  I guess perhaps it was because of the heavy downpour.  As soon as we arrived at the garden, I rushed to the host plant where I found the 8cm long Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar during a recce trip but it was no where to be found.   I walked back disappointed but found Allan all excited because he found a Plain Nawab caterpillar.   Hazel said it resembles a character from the Pokemon group of monsters!  

To find out, click Star of the Day by Allan Lee

In less than 2hrs into our shoot, we could feel the heat.  Flor was perspiring profusely, the rain drops on the plants evaporated quickly and the ground became a little drier.  I spotted a Drab Brown Wave Moth basking in the sun.  Can you spot it?  Let's see if you can ~ Drab Brown Wave Moth by Sharon S. Lim

Xinjian adjusting his setup to capture the beautiful 

Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillar  

The last time Xinjian visited the butterfly trail on his own, he told me he was disheartened as he could not find any suitable subject to shoot.  During this IMOG outing, we introduced him to many interesting and unusual subjects that kept him busy for hours. Above, he gave the Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar a shot.  Below is an image of the Death's Head Hawkmoth caterpillar found by Cheow Tin who gladly shared it with a few of us.  So, why is it called Death's Head Hawkmoth?  To find out, go take a look on Jodie Foster's lips, found on the  movie poster of The Silence of the Lambs.   If you know why, leave your answer in Post a Comment.

by Lim Cheow Tin

There were many Common Birdwing caterpillars on the host plant but we could not find any chrysalis.  Below is an image of the graceful Common Birdwing.  It was fluttering from place to place to lay eggs. By doing that, it increases the chances of survival of its "offsprings". 

by Allan Lee - Common Birdwing

by Peter Low - Plain Nawab caterpillar

by Hazel Han - Lime Butterfly caterpillar

by Kyaw Htay.  Any idea what will this mature into?

It was getting warmer as the sun rose above us in the late morning.  We had to call it a day around 1130 am but all of us could not bear to say goodbye to the Plain Nawab caterpillar and the rest of the many creepy crawlies we found there including a Common Two-tailed Spider,  Weaver Ant by Mohammad K.,  Mating Bugs by Allan Lee, Common Birdwing or Common Rose caterpillar by Sharon S. Lim. 


Well, suffice to say, the IMOG outing was a fruitful and eventful one.  The morning rain was indeed a blessing in disguise.  Thank you for taking your time to read our blog. Please do remember to come back next week for more images (I know the write-up is boring) as we explore Project MacroLumbus together with Endy Tan. 


See you next week!

Participants (8) - Sharon S. Lim (Trip Leader), Allan Lee, Peter Low, Hazal Han, Lim Cheow Tin, Flor J, Loy Xinjian and Ko Kyaw Htay.