Get Up Close and Personal with Giant Insects at ArtScience Museum 

Insects: Microsculptures Magnified is making its Southeast Asia debut at ArtScience Museum on 17th January 2026, get up and personal with giant insects, with images towering up to 7 feet high. This exhibition showcases larger-than-life realm of insects, observe the beauty and intricacy of the insects forms far beyond what the naked eye can perceive.

“Insects: Microsculptures Magnified is ArtScience Museum’s first exhibition on insects. It invites audiences to reconsider these often-overlooked creatures as complex, beautifully structured, and essential to life on Earth. Created in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History and enriched by scientific research from Singapore institutions including Nanyang Technological University, the National University of Singapore, and A*STAR, the exhibition brings global perspectives into dialogue with local discovery. The exhibition reveals how in Singapore’s forests and laboratories, scientists are making discoveries that sound almost unbelievable—beetles that clean ecosystems, cicadas that inspire futuristic materials, and bugs never before seen by science. The exhibition speaks directly to Singapore’s active nature and wildlife photography communities, inviting them to look more closely at the insect world,” said Honor Harger, Vice President of ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. 

Extraordinary Large-scale Insects Photography by Levon Biss

Through the lens of award-winning British photographer Levon Biss, visitors can observe the microscopic details of each insect, that are transformed into mind-blowing, eye-catching, and captivating visual up close counters with insects world. 

Widely regarded as one of the leading macro photographers of his generation, Levon Biss macro photography is known for his meticulous images of insects, seeds, fruits and botanical forms, life to monumental scale. By magnifying insect life to monumental scale, his photography works invites a renewed sense of attention to the intricacy of nature ecosystem that one often overlooks. 

His pioneering photographic technique captures what entomologists refer to as an insect’s “micro sculpture”, from the exterior armour of the insect, to its velvet-like textures and saw-toothed mandibles, to the finely pigmented scales that define the amazing diversity of the insect world.

“The opportunity to display Microsculpture at ArtScience Museum is without doubt a highlight for the project and one that I could never have imagined when photographing the first insect. It is hugely satisfying to see the images enjoyed by different audiences around the world and it is clear evidence of a public appreciation and curiosity for these incredible creatures,” said Levon Biss. 

“Each photograph is created from over 8,000 individual images using a bespoke photo rig and microscope lenses. This achieves extreme levels of detail, allowing visitors to experience and appreciate microscopic textures and adaptations that would otherwise be lost to the naked eye. It’s both a technical challenge and an opportunity to celebrate the ingenuity of life at a tiny scale, a mixture of entertainment and education. By bringing these minute forms to monumental size, the exhibition invites viewers to look closely, to wonder, and care about the beauty and significance of these ingenious creatures we share this planet with,” he added. 

Insects: Microsculptures Magnified

This exhibition is created in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History, featuring 37 monumental, high-magnification portraits of insects from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History’s collection. The meticulous details of the insects world microscopic forms are the key spotlights, observe the breathtaking details and clarity, the textures and anatomical structures that are often remain invisible, even to close observers.

First presented at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in 2016, ArtScience Museum has expanded upon the original exhibition to incorporate specimens from local institutions, including Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum’s Zoological Reference Collection, Nanyang Technology University (NTU) Asian School of the Environment’s Tropical Ecology and Entomology Lab and Blackcrow Taxidermy & Art.

Cutting-edge Scientific Research from Singapore

Insects: Microsculptures Magnified exhibition also features cutting-edge scientific research from Singapore, showcasing exciting new research from Singapore’s scientific community, revealing how insect discoveries here are shaping fields from ecology to engineering. 

Scientists from NTU School of the Environment’s Tropical Ecology and Entomology Lab are pioneering fieldwork on native dung beetles, uncovering the hidden diversity and ecological roles of these insects and building foundational knowledge for conservation in tropical urban landscapes.

At A*STAR Institute of Bioengineering and Bioimaging, researchers are translating the remarkable nanoscale textures of cicada wings into cutting-edge self-cleaning, anti-microbial surfaces, showcasing how nature’s designs can inspire nex-generation materials. 

This show also showcases the discovery of a new species of plant bug, Campylomma Singapura, documented by researchers at the National University of Singapore, giving visitors a chance to see and learn about a species previously unknown to science. 

Get Up Close and Personal with Giant Insects at ArtScience Museum

If you are a fan of nature, flora and fauna, outdoors, and especially into insects, this special exhibition “Insects: Microsculptures Magnified” that is held at ArtScience Museum, dob’t miss it! For those who are into nature, wildlife, flora and fauna, that are not that into the insects world, I invite you to visit this exhibition, to get up close and personal with giant insects at ArtScience Museum.

Once you visit Insects: Microsculptures Magnified, this exhibition would let you learn a lot more about the insects world, its diversity, the key roles they play in nature’s ecosystem that many of us do not know and understand. 

Do also take your time to view photographs of the world of insects up close and personal, would you ever think about viewing insects from such different perspectives and angles, and they can look pretty good and nice, not scary and ugly, as some of us might have some bad vibes, feels and perceptions about the insect world?

It’s educational, enriching, as well as an visual eye-opener that would make you view the insects world from new and different perspectives.

Insects: Microsculptures Magnified Information

• Venue: ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands
• Date: 17th January to 19th April 2026

Ticketing ** Launch Privileges: Visits until 28th February 2026 **

Tickets can be purchased at all Marina Bay Sands box offices and online.

Opening hours:

Address

• 6 Bayfront Avenue
• Singapore 018974

For more information on the exhibition, please visit https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/exhibitions/insects.html 

The post Get Up Close and Personal with Giant Insects at ArtScience Museum appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Looking back at my previous years coverage on World Migratory Bird Day – WMBD 2021, WMBD 2023 (May 13th), WMBD 2023 (October 14th), WMBD 2024 (11th May), WMBD 2024 (12th October) and WMBD 2025 (10th May). My birding journey has seen some great adventures visiting various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas for my birding photography, curating and uploading them into my Flickr photography collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore.

WMBD 2025 Theme – Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities

Although Singapore is a very small country by land size, we are a hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, making it a major migratory bird hub/stopover destination. Singapore now can play a bigger and wider international role in the migratory birds journey with those 2 major flyways, a transit hub for migratory birds. 

Singapore is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, migratory birds making a pitstop in Singapore, giving bird photographers here in Singapore many opportunities to photograph them in action, the diversity and beauty of those migratory bird species. 

Recent research findings over the past few years have also indicated that Singapore’s status as a major migratory bird hub has grown in stature, Singapore now has become the intersection of 2 major flyways, adding the Central Asian-Indian Flyway to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

For more information on Singapore has a hub for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, please check out the following articles below:

• NParks article – Feathered Global Ambassadors: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-42-vol-3-2019/conservation/feathered-global-ambassadors 
• Mothership article – New study shows Singapore is a pitstop for migratory birds from 2 major flyways: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/migratory-bird-central-asian-flyway-singapore/ 
• Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77897-z 
• Straits Times article on 1st April 2024 – New Initiative to protect migratory birds and habitats: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-initiative-to-protect-migratory-birds-and-habitats

Visiting the various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas in Singapore for my birding photography, we can see Singapore playing their small part in creating bird-friendly cities & communities, through the protection, conservation and preservation of nature areas, parks, green belt connectors.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Singapore is a hotspot (internationally important) for migratory birds. It’s a must visit for bird photographers, nature and wildlife lovers. If you are an international visitor planning bird photography visits in Singapore, check out NParks Birdwatching at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve for more information. 

Flickr Photography Collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore

I am continuing to work on curating and uploading more bird photographs in Singapore, showcasing the importance of Singapore as a bird hub for migratory birds. Although I haven’t reach the level of photographing all the bird species listed in Singapore by Birds of Singapore website by Bird Society of Singapore, 

I would still be actively planning my trips to nature reserves, parks, coastal areas for bird photography (local and migratory) in Singapore, revisiting those parks and coastal areas that I don’t visit as often over the years, and I can update bird photography from those locations inside my bird photography collections on Flickr.

Migratory Bird Photography October 2025 to March 2026

Migratory bird photography season from October 2025 to March 2026 started slightly earlier for me in September 2025. Although it’s not peak bird migratory season yet here in Singapore, I would be planning and keeping a lookout for migratory birds arriving in Singapore in October and November 2025.

Meanwhile, I would also continue with photographing local birds that I have yet to be photographed, that has been eluding me over the years that I have been doing bird photography. 

To fellow bird photography friends out there, have a good migratory bird photography season ahead! 

The post World Migratory Bird Day 2025 (11th October) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

My Wildlife Photography (birds/otters/animals) Explorations in Singapore

That’s no doubt that Singapore has a very small land size, yet we have our fair share of nature and green areas, sometimes not too far away from our neighbourhoods. My wildlife photography (birds/otters/animals) explorations in Singapore brings me outdoors, nature and photography therapy, all coming together.

Whenever I visit outdoor areas in Singapore, nature parks, beaches, gardens, nature reserves, while I would usually photograph more birds, I do keep a lookout for other wildlife in Singapore, otters being one of them that I keep a lookout for whenever I am outdoors with my wildlife photography gear. 

Otters Sightings in Singapore

I still recalled ten years or more back, we don’t get to spot many otters in Singapore, it was quite exciting to spot them in our nature areas and waterways. When I first photographed them at Lorong Halus, Marina Barrage/Marina Reservoir, that was really exciting!

Slowly and gradually over time, the otters in Singapore had expanded their numbers and presences at many more locations in Singapore. I managed to spot and photographed them at many more different locations in Singapore over time.

• Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
• West Coast Park, Sungei Ulu Pandan Kechil, Sungei Ulu Pandan, Pandan Reservoir 
• Pasir Ris Park
• Jurong Lake Garden 
• Labrador Park / Berlayer Creek
• Bishan-AMK Park
• East Coast Park
• Singapore River, Kallang River, Marina Bay/Marina Reservoir/Marina Barrage/Marina East Drive (Gardens By The Bay & Gardens By The Bay East)

From solo otter, a pair of them, small family size to big family of otters, I have managed to photograph them. However, I have yet to photograph those very young otters (just born or a few months old), I hope to spot and photograph young otters one day when I am in the outdoors and nature areas of Singapore.

There are a number of different otter family groups in Singapore residing at various locations in Singapore. I have photographed a number of them, maybe a few more otter families and also new otter families that started their new tribe in recent years. 

My Nature/Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore

For my nature/bird/wildlife photography in Singapore, I upload them into my Flickr photography collections, doing my part to share photos (with OtterCity) and help spread the message of nature and wildlife conservation and protection, this is also a great form of outdoors and photography therapy for me too. 

• Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tangenghui/collections/72157632742488230/ 
• Otter Sightings in Singapore – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBs6an 

While otters have their fair share of being in the media limelight in Singapore, I sincerely hope that otters can co-exist well (along with other wildlife species) with human beings here in Singapore, a City In Nature.

The post World Otter Day – 28 May 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Looking back at my previous years coverage on World Migratory Bird Day – WMBD 2021, WMBD 2023 (May 13th), WMBD 2023 (October 14th), WMBD 2024 (11th May) and WMBD 2024 (12th October). My birding journey has seen some great adventures visiting various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas for my birding photography, curating and uploading them into my Flickr photography collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore. 

WMBD 2025 Theme – Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities & Communities

Singapore, while a very small country by land size, they are a hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, making it a major migratory bird hub/stopover destination. Singapore now can play a bigger and wider international role in the migratory birds journey with those 2 major flyways, a transit hub for migratory birds. 

Singapore is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, migratory birds making a pitstop in Singapore, giving bird photographers here in Singapore many opportunities to photograph them in action, the diversity and beauty of those migratory bird species. 

Recent research findings over the past few years have also indicated that Singapore’s status as a major migratory bird hub has grown in stature, Singapore now has become the intersection of 2 major flyways, adding the Central Asian-Indian Flyway to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

For more information on Singapore has a hub for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, please check out the following articles below:

• NParks article – Feathered Global Ambassadors: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-42-vol-3-2019/conservation/feathered-global-ambassadors 
• Mothership article – New study shows Singapore is a pitstop for migratory birds from 2 major flyways: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/migratory-bird-central-asian-flyway-singapore/ 
• Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77897-z 
• Straits Times article on 1st April 2024 – New Initiative to protect migratory birds and habitats: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-initiative-to-protect-migratory-birds-and-habitats

Visiting the various nature reserves, parks and coastal areas in Singapore for my birding photography, we can see Singapore playing their small part in creating bird-friendly cities & communities, through the protection, conservation and preservation of nature areas, parks, green belt connectors.

Flickr Photography Collection – Bird/Wildlife Photography in Singapore

I am working to curate and upload more birding photography in Singapore, showcasing the importance of Singapore as a bird hub for migratory birds. Although I haven’t reach the level of photographing all the bird species listed in Singapore by Birds of Singapore website by Bird Society of Singapore, I would still be actively visiting nature reserves, parks, coastal areas for bird photography (local and migratory) in Singapore.

Here’s a view of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and Kranji Coastal Nature Park from the other end of Kranji industrial estate TimMac @ Kranji, not too far from the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park that is slated to open in 2028.

Also a photograph of the peregrine falcon, an uncommon migrant and rare visitor, perching on the ledge of an industrial building at TimMac @ Kranji.

Looking back at my migratory bird season from around October 2024 to March/April 2025, this was a very fruitful birding adventure (both local and migratory), and I hope to continue on this momentum when the new migratory bird season begins around September/October 2025 in Singapore.

With the rising bird photography community in Singapore, I hope that we can help to raise the awareness, publicity, knowledge and learning about birds, wildlife, nature, conservation and preservation of nature reserves, parks, and coastal areas in Singapore.

The post World Migratory Bird Day 2025 (10th May) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Marking World Wildlife Day 2025, I decided that I would share more photographs of Singapore’s wildlife biodiversity that I took during my bird photography and nature treks, that are not bird photographs that I have been sharing quite a fair bit over the years. 

Singapore, even with its small land size, is home to a rich biodiversity of wildlife, from mammals to birds, insects, reptiles and many more. This is also the time to remind myself that I would need to photograph more of Singapore’s biodiversity besides my bird photography adventure in Singapore (on local and migratory birds) during my nature and outdoors treks. 

From Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, to Jurong Lake Gardens, Pasir Ris Park, West Coast Park, Labrador Park, Bidadari Park, Fort Canning Park, these are just some of the locations that the different wildlife biodiversity that I shot in the last one year period. 

I am continuing to upload and share more photographs into my Nature Reserves/Parks/Park Connectors in Singapore and Wildlife in Singapore collections on Flickr, showcasing and sharing Singapore’ biodiversity, a truly City In Nature.  

The post World Wildlife Day 2025 appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Bird Migratory Season (October 2024 to March 2025) in Singapore

I am sharing some of the birds that I photographed during the past few months across various parks/nature areas in Singapore. Let’s see how many more #bird species that I can add in March 2025, round up and adding on to my Birds in Singapore collection on Flickr – https://flic.kr/s/aHsjBnNjyL. 

Wildlife photography and Nature Parks/Parks/Park Connector in Singapore

Over the years, I have been visiting various nature parks/parks/park connector networks in Singapore. While I have been actively visiting photographing birds, wildlife, landscapes (nature and urban), I haven’t been doing that well on uploading more photographs and writing my local Singapore travel visual stories on Singapore’s wildlife and City In Nature biodiversity and beauty.

In 2025, I would be working on uploading more photographs into the two Flickr collections below:

• Nature Reserves/Parks/Park Connectors in Singapore – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tangenghui/collections/72157664291934979/ 
• Wildlife Photography in Singapore – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tangenghui/collections/72157632742488230/ 

Next up would be writing travel visual stories + easy to use guides on visiting Nature Reserves/Parks/Park Connectors in Singapore, the wildlife photography opportunities, that would be useful for both international visitors and fellow Singaporeans. 

This would keep me busy in the content creation segments on Singapore’s travel, nature, parks, biodiversity and wildlife photography. 

TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series

My bird photography adventures were shot with Canon EOS R6 Mark II and Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens. I am enjoying this photography setup/combination, until I decide to change my lens for something else.  

A fruitful and fun bird migratory season from October 2024 to February 2025 in Singapore, what would the last month of migratory birds season in March 2025 be like for me? 

* A TGH Photography x Canon EOS R6 Mark II Explorer Series Production *

The post Bird Migratory Season (October 2024 to March 2025) in Singapore appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

As I started to get more into bird photography a few years back, it was nature/outdoors therapy along with bird/wildlife photography, a 2-in-1 theme. In 2021, I wrote about WMBD 2021, followed by WMBD 2023 May and WMBD 2023 October. Following on with my bird photography, together with my nature and outdoors photography, I am continuing on with my support for WMBD 2024 movement.  

WMBD 2024 Theme – Insects

The WMBD 2024 theme – Insects, might not seem that directly linked to WMBD at a start. However, insects are important for migratory birds. The 2024 theme also highlights concerns on decreasing population of insects and natural environments.

A recent Straits Times article published in May 2024, “Migratory bird declines point to large scale ecological changes across Southeast Asia”. Since Singapore is a hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and it’s also a pitstop for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway as well. This would definitely be of interest to wildlife scientists and researchers in Singapore and in Southeast Asia region.

Birds play crucial roles in the natural environment, from pollination and pest control. In the context of a lack of insects, the ecosystem would be affected. If certain insects are overpopulated, and without the presence of birds as natural predators, that can also disrupt the ecosystem, causing outbreaks that damage plant health and agriculture. 

Singapore – A hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway

Just like Singapore is a global air transit hub for the world with our iconic internationally famous Changi Airport, Singapore is also a hub for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, as well for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway as well. Singapore is indeed a major migratory bird hub/stopover destination. 

Singapore is part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, migratory birds making a pitstop in Singapore, giving bird photographers here in Singapore many opportunities to photograph them in action, the diversity and beauty of those migratory bird species. 

Recent research findings over the past few years have also indicated that Singapore’s status as a major migratory bird hub has grown in stature, Singapore now has become the intersection of 2 major flyways, adding the Central Asian-Indian Flyway to the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

Singapore, a small country by land size, now can play a bigger and wider international role in the migratory birds journey with those 2 major flyways, a transit hub for migratory birds. 

For more information on Singapore has a hub for migratory birds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway, please check out the following articles below:

• NParks article – Feathered Global Ambassadors: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nparksbuzz/issue-42-vol-3-2019/conservation/feathered-global-ambassadors 
• Mothership article – New study shows Singapore is a pitstop for migratory birds from 2 major flyways: https://mothership.sg/2020/12/migratory-bird-central-asian-flyway-singapore/ 
• Nature Portfolio Scientific Reports: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-77897-z 
• Straits Times article on 1st April 2024 – New Initiative to protect migratory birds and habitats: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-initiative-to-protect-migratory-birds-and-habitats 

City in Nature with my birding/wildlife photography and outdoors/nature photography

With my love and passion for nature, green spaces and great outdoors, I am doing my small part in Singapore’s City in Nature, together with my birding/wildlife photography and outdoors/nature photography.

National Parks Board (NParks) in Singapore has the NParks Garden Bird Watch (GBW), a Community in Nature initiative, I am also playing my small part in NParks GBW through my birding and wildlife photography, helping out my friend Belinda who has been very active in NParks GBW Community in Nature initiative. 

Singapore Botanic Gardens in Singapore is an important habitat for both resident and migratory birds. This community bird photography exhibition at Singapore Botanic Gardens “A Garden of Birds’ is the best testimonial for it. Do visit this exhibition if you can, taking place from 7th May to 31st October 2024.

With my Canon EOS R6 Mark II and my Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens, I would share more of my wildlife photography visual storytelling adventures and documentation on Flickr, adding more bird photography photos from various locations in Singapore. As for my bird photography in Singapore, I would continue to photograph and document both local and migratory birds, especially those (local and migratory) bird species that I have yet to photograph and document. 

Join me on my City in Nature visual storytelling adventures!

Come join me on my City in Nature visual storytelling adventures! I would update more regularly and upload more wildlife, birds in Singapore, nature and outdoors photography on my Flickr. I hope to play my small role in and do my part for City in Nature initiative in Singapore through my visual storytelling.

The post World Migratory Bird Day 2024 (11th May) appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Birds at Singapore Botanic Gardens

The Singapore Botanic Gardens has shown to be an important habitat for both resident and migratory birds. There are over 180 species of birds that have been recorded at the Botanic Gardens, almost half of over 400 species of birds that have been sighted in Singapore. Many of these sightings were contributed by community of bird watchers  that have provided sighting information as well as records of the activities of some of the birds and the duration they spent at the Botanic Gardens. 

The valuable source of information on the habitats and conditions preferred by the birds, as well as the observations help to inform NParks on their conservation strategies and plans, allowing them to better enhance the Botanic Gardens for both birds and visitors as Singapore is transformed into a City in Nature.

Conservation of key habitats in the Singapore Botanic Gardens supports bird diversity 

The conservation of key habitats is one of the main thrusts of Singapore’s Nature Conservation Masterplan. Within Singapore Botanic Gardens, there are 5 locations identified as nature areas for habitat conservation and enhancement. They are the 

• Primary Rain Forest
• Southern Forest of the Learning Forest
• Keppel Discovery Wetlands
• Natural freshwater stream at the Gallop Extension
• Eco-Lake

The diversity of habitats, both terrestrial and wetlands, and the long-term ecological research and horticultural works undertaken by the Gardens in conserving and restoring natural habitats and flora of Singapore have contributed to the diversity of bird species that have been sighted in the Botanic Gardens.

As for the birds, both resident and migratory, they in turn also contribute to the Gardens by enriching the habitats, playing their roles in the complex food web system that underpin our urban and forest ecosystems. 

Community partnerships enhance monitoring and conservation efforts

The community plays an invaluable role in the efforts to conserve Singapore’s natural heritage. Under NParks Garden Bird Watch (GBW), a Community in Nature initiative, citizen scientists help to survey birds at various green spaces across Singapore. The Singapore Botanic Gardens has been one of the the GBW locations since the launch of GBW in 2015. 

The 5 year data collected from the GBW showed that the Botanic Gardens is one of the top 10 sites for species richness. The insights from such surveys, as well as information on sightings from bird photographers, help guide NParks conservation and management measures, ensuring that the Gardens is conducive not just for visitors, but to avifauna as well.

Dr Tan Puay Yok, Group Director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, said, “Interest in the bird life present in the Gardens is not new. As far back as 1898, the Gardens’ then-director H.N. Ridley wrote a paper on the birds of the Gardens published in the Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in which he shared about the monitoring of a White-bellied Sea Eagle which had built a large nest on a big tree within the Gardens. It is heartening that our avian visitors and rich natural heritage continue to be appreciated and treasured by Singaporeans today, and they also contribute to our conservation efforts through their observations. Through this exhibition, we hope to share with our visitors the joy and pride of our bird watching community, the role of the Gardens in avian biodiversity conservation and the role of our avian friends in maintaining the ecology of our natural habitats, and to inspire more people to join us to transform Singapore into a City in Nature.” 

My birding and wildlife photography adventures in NParks GBW 

I am also playing my small part in NParks GBW through my birding and wildlife photography, helping out my friend Belinda who has been very active in NParks GBW Community in Nature initiative. 

My personal birding and wildlife photography adventures at Singapore Botanic Gardens over the years had been enriching and exciting, trying to spot and photograph the birds (both resident and migratory) in action, or somewhere inside the dense green nature areas or perched high up the tall trees at Singapore Botanic Gardens. Just part of my birding photography adventures (and playing small part in NParks GBW) across different locations in Singapore. 

Here are two photos of birds that I photographed at Singapore Botanic Gardens in 2023. I look forward to photographing and documenting many more different birds (residents and migratory) at Botanic Gardens. 

If you would like to find out more about NParks citizen science programmes and how you can get involved, please visit – https://www.nparks.gov.sg/biodiversity/community-in-nature-initiative/citizen-science-programmes 

“A Garden of Birds” – Community photography exhibition

The “A Garden of Birds” – Community photography exhibition received more than 830 community submissions, of which 160 photographs from 49 photographers have been selected for this community photography exhibition, made possible with the support of CDL.

This exhibition features numerous resident and migratory bird species, a curated selection of photographs shard by the enthusiastic birding community who come to Singapore Botanic Gardens to observe, admire, study and research the remarkable diversity of birds found in Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

Through the photographs, illustrations and interactive displays, this exhibition showcases the vibrant bird diversity of the Gardens, conservation and habitat enhancement efforts, and the role of green spaces like Botanic Gardens to support Singapore’s biodiversity conservation efforts. 

At the upcoming Festival of Biodiversity (https://fob.nparks.gov.sg) taking place on 25th and 26th May at One Punggol, visitors can find out more about Singapore’s rich natural heritage and how they can contribute.

Information on “A Garden of Birds” – Community photography exhibition

Venue: CDL Green Gallery, Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Photographs from the exhibition are also displayed at the People’s Gallery exhibition spaces near the Visitor Services Counters at Botany Centre, Nassim Gate, Tyersall Gate, Gallop Gate and Bukit Timah Gate (MRT Station Exit A).

Date: 7th May to 31st October 2024

Time: 

CDL Green Gallery

• Opening hours: 9am to 6pm daily
• Closed every last Tuesday of the month, if the closure falls on a public holiday, the closure will be moved to the following working day

People’s Gallery exhibition spaces

• Opening hours: 5am to 12am daily

Entry Fee: Free Admission

For more information on “A Garden of Birds” – Community photography exhibition, please visit https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/whats-happening/calendar-of-events/exhibition-birds-of-sbg-2024 

* Information courtesy of NParks *

The post “A Garden of Birds” – Community photography exhibition at Singapore Botanic Gardens appeared first on TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog.

Singapore’s Park Connector Network (PCN)

Singapore’s Park Connector Network (PCN) is one of the best developments that has taken place over the years, and they are still enhancing as Singapore strives towards a City in Nature by 2035. The PCN is Singapore’s island-wide network of linear green corridors linking and connecting major parks and natures across Singapore. They provide a wide variety of recreational, outdoors, nature, therapeutic and exercising opportunities for fitness, outdoors enthusiasts, as well as for our international visitors to visit the PCN and explore local heartlands, parks and nature areas of Singapore.

Do visit NParks Park Connector Network website – https://pcn.nparks.gov.sg/ for more information and updates!

Completion of the 18km Eastern Corridor 

On 17th February 2024, NParks announced the completion of the 18km Eastern Corridor, offering additional recreational connectivity between Pasir Ris Park and East Coast Park via Bedok Reservoir Park. The Eastern Corridor has been progressively opened since 2021 after it was first announced, allowing members of the public to enjoy walking and cycling along sections of the Eastern Corridor as soon as they were ready. 

For the public who would like an alternative route to travel between Pasir Ris Park and East Coast Park, the completion of the Eastern Corridor offers this alternative travel, linking parks in the east that presents a variety of nature-based recreational experiences for visitors to the parks. Some of them include bird watching/bird photography at Tampines Eco Green, therapeutic experiences at Sun Plaza Park, and sports activities at East Coast Park.

Half of the Eastern Corridor route is located among waterways, including those enhanced under national water agency PUB’s Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme, such as the Sungei Tampines and Sungei Bedok. They offer visitors to the parks a scenic cycling and walking experience along beautiful water landscapes in the east. 

The Eastern Corridor also features the new 600m Bedok Park Connector (Eastern Bank), and the recently completed park connectors along Tampines Ave 9 and Tampines Ave 10, totalling over a distance of 3.2km. Through the use of multi-tiered landscaping along those park connectors, NParks enhances greenery and attracts biodiversity along the Eastern Corridor route and in the area. 

I do visit Pasr Ris Park a number of times for wildlife/bird photography (especially during low tide days), sunset photography and nature therapy. I have yet to revisit Tampines Eco Green since my last visit a few years back, as it was going through upgrades and enhancements as part of the Eastern Corridor route. I would revisit again to check out the wildlife/bird photography in the area, and explore part of the Eastern Corridor route. 

Upcoming enhancements to the eastern half of Round Island Route (RIR) 

The eastern half of the RIR was opened in January 2022, stretching over 75km, making it Singapore’s longest recreational connection, encircling Singapore in the east, from Rower’s Bay Park in the north-east to, Changi Beach Park, East Coast Park and past the Singapore River towards Berlayer Creek (Labrador Nature Park) in the south.

NParks will be enhancing the recreational experience along the eastern half of the RIR, they will be introducing way finding such as map boards and directional signage to allow for better navigation and improved user experience, and multi-tiered landscaping to provide shade and greenery. 

NParks will also be introducing marine habitats through the installation of marine tiles to attract biodiversity along the route. They will be progressively introduced at key points along the eastern half of the RIR. NParks is also planning three new cycling bridges at Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park to improve the experience for visitors to the parks.

Explore Singapore via island-wide recreational connectivity PCN

Visitors (both local and international) to the parks are able to explore Singapore via island-wide recreational connectivity PCN, this will not only bring the community closer to greenery, enabling them to benefit from the positive effects of nature on their health and well-being, they will also connect communities and bring about a sense of space many times beyond Singapore’s small island city-state. 

These are part of NParks’ overall plans to curate a 360km island-wide network of recreational routes by 2035, as Singapore transforms into a City in Nature. 

I have been exploring, documenting and photographing Singapore’s nature areas and parks, together with Singapore’s wildlife and bird photography, using the PCN, I am going to spend more time sharing my travelling experiences on the PCN between parks or nature areas in Singapore, with the local community, as well as with my friends from around the world when they plan to visit Singapore. 

* Information courtesy of NParks *

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