Shot
Single shot on tripod
Camera : NIKON D700
Lens : 150-500 mm f/5-6.3 sigma
Shutter speed : 1/60 sec
Flash : Did not fire
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
White rhinoceros
The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist. It has a wide mouth used for grazing and is the most social of all rhino species. The white rhino consists of two subspecies: the southern white rhino, with an estimated 17,460 wild-living animals at the end of 2007 (IUCN 2008), and the much rarer northern white rhino. The northern species has very few remaining, all in captivity.
Naming
A popular theory of the origins of the name "white rhinoceros" is a mistranslation from Dutch to English. The English word "white" is said to have been derived by mistranslation of the Dutch word "wijd", which means "wide" in English. The word "wide" refers to the width of the rhinoceros' mouth. So early English-speaking settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wijd" for "white" and the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the white rhino and the other one, with the narrow pointed mouth, was called the Black Rhinoceros. Ironically, Dutch (and Afrikaans) later used a calque of the English word, and now also call it a white rhino. This suggests the origin of the word was before codification by Dutch writers. A review of Dutch and Afrikaans literature about the rhinoceros has failed to produce any evidence that the word wijd was ever used to describe the rhino outside of oral use.[4] Other popular theories suggest the name comes from its wide appearance throughout Africa, its color due to wallowing in calcareous soil or bird droppings or because of the lighter colour of its horn. An alternative name for the white rhinoceros, more accurate but rarely used, is the square-lipped rhinoceros. The white rhinoceros' generic name, Ceratotherium, given by the zoologist John Edward Gray in 1868,[5] is derived from the Greek terms keras (κερας) "horn" and therion (θηριον) "beast". Simum, is derived from the Greek term simus (σιμος), meaning "flat nosed".
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Saturday, March 17, 2012
White rhinoceros
Cottontop tamarin
Shot
Single shot on tripod
Camera : NIKON D700
Lens : 150-500 mm f/5-6.3 sigma
Shutter speed : 1/125 sec
Flash : Fired
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cottontop tamarin
The cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus), also known as the Pinché tamarin, is a small New World monkey weighing less than 1 lb (0.5 kg). It is found in tropical forest edges and secondary forests where it is arboreal and diurnal.
Etymology
In German-speaking areas, the cottontop tamarin is commonly known as "Lisztaffe" (literally "Liszt monkey") most likely due to the resemblance of its hairstyle with that of Hungarian composer and piano virtuoso Franz Liszt.
Physical characteristics
This tamarin species has a long sagittal crest, white hairs from forehead to nape flowing over the shoulders ("Cottontop"). The back is brown, and the underparts, arms and legs are whitish-yellow. The rump and inner thighs are reddish-orange.
It is considered one of the bare-faced tamarins because of the lack of facial hair. Its lower canine teeth are longer than its incisors, so it seems as if it has small tusks. It is about the size of a squirrel and weighs 10-18 ounces.[citation needed] The males are only slightly larger than females. A medium cottontop tamarin weighs 432 g.[5] Tamarins are among the smallest of the primates. Head body length of this species is 17 cm and tail length is 25 cm.[6] Forelimbs are shorter than the hind limbs. The thumb is not opposable and the tail is not prehensile. All the finger and toe nails are like claws except for the big toe which has a flat nail.
Communication
The cottontop tamarin vocalizes with birdlike whistles, soft chirping sounds, high-pitched trilling, and staccato calls. Researchers say its repertoire of 38 distinct sounds is unusually sophisticated, conforming to grammatical rules and able to express curiosity, fear, dismay, playfulness, warnings, joy, and calls to young.[6] It has loud territorial songs as well as songs when it is excited. It moves its tongue across the lips. This may be a recognition signal, or could be used to communicate anger or curiosity. A "threat face" consists of lowering the forehead until it forms a bulge which almost covers the eyes; the lips are pushed forward and the head and neck crests are erected. This apparently is sufficient since no other body language is used.
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Gita Jayanti 2011:: Singapore
Spot
Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gita Jayanti
"Gita Jayanti" is the birthday of Bhagvad-Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing moon of Margaseersha month (December- January) in the Vedic almanac. It is believed the immortal "Bhagavad Gita" was revealed to Arjuna by Sri Krishna himself in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (in present day Haryana, India) a little over 5000 years ago. The text is written in third person, narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra as it transpired between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Sanjaya, the secretary of the blind King Dhritarashtra, had been blessed by his Guru, Vyasadev, with the power to remotely view the events taking place on the battlefield as they transpired. [ref. Bhagavad Gita Ch 18 Txt 75]
Background
Main article: Mahabharata
Main article: Kurukshetra war
The discourse of Bhagavad Gita took place just before the start of the Kurushektra war. This is the brief history prior to that:
After several attempts at reconciliation failed, war was inevitable. Out of pure compassion and sincere love for His devotee and best friend, Arjuna, Lord Krishna decided to become his charioteer during the battle. The day of the war finally came and both armies gathered on the battlefield face to face. Just as the battle was about to start, Arjuna asks Lord Krishna to drive the chariot to the middle of the battlefield in between both armies to have a look at the opposing armies. Seeing his Grandsire Bhishma who raised him with great affection since childhood, and his teacher Dronācārya who have trained him to become the greatest archer, Arjuna's heart begin to melt. His body started to tremble and his mind get confused. He became unable to perform his duty as a Kshatriya (warrior). He felt weak and sickened at the thought that he would have to kill his relatives, his friends and revered persons in this confrontation. Being very despondent, he told his friend Krishna of his sudden change of heart, and turned to Him for advice. The conversation that ensued, Lord Krishna's advice and teachings to Arjuna, is what is known now as the Bhagavad Gita, the most ancient scripture and non-sectarian philosophical work known to man.
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Shot
Single shot no tripod
Camera : NIKON D7005
Lens : 28.0-75.0 mm f/2.8 Tamron
Shutter speed : 1/400 sec
Flash : Fired
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-- Chingay Parade :: Singapore --
The Chingay Paradet
The Chingay Parade is an annual street parade held in Penang, Malaysia in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy ( Guanyin ),and inSingapore[1] as part of the Chinese New Year festivities. The term Chingay itself originated in Southeast Asia, which is a phonetic equivalent of both the Chinese words "真艺" which means "true art" in the Penang version, and "妆艺", which means "a decorated miniature stage" or float in the Singapore version.
Origin
Chingay procession was held in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy ( Guanyin ).[2] It was held to worship and enjoy with the deity. During the earliest procession in more than 100 years ago, the earliest English newspapers Echo in Malaysia adopted the word Chingay Procession for this special event.[3]
Chingay is originated from China, and the Penang Chinese first performed Chingay during deity processions.[4] It is a street art where the performer balances a giant flag that ranges from 25 ft to 32 ft in height and about 60 pounds in weigh.
Chingay in Singapore
On 4 February 1973, the first Singapore Chingay parade was held partly as a result of the ban on firecrackers a year earlier in 1972 as a result of fire hazards. This ban was viewed unfavourably despite the safety issues involved. Some people felt that the ban would result in a much dampened festival mood for the Chinese New Year period. To address this issue, the People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Association jointly organised a street parade from Jalan Besar to Outram Park featuring the signature floats, acrobatic acts, lion and dragon dances, stilt walkers, and the like, to bring back some cheer to the general public.
The largely Chinese parade became a multi-cultural one from 1977 when Malay and Indian groups started joining in the performances, which was to mark a major precedent in the overall flavour of the parade into one which has become largely multi-cultural in character, despite the continued presence of traditional Chinese acts such as lion dances and stilt walkers till this day.
In 1985, the parade marched down Orchard Road for the first time, a move which was to prevail for much of the parade's subsequent history. Although the change could be attributed to the desire of organisers in bringing it closer to tourists along the major tourist belt and for ease of organisation on a relatively long and straight stretch of road, it also further signified the increasingly desinicized character of the parade. This is further evidenced when in 1987, an international flavour was added to the parade when a group from Japan participated for the first time with their float sponsored by The Straits Times.
The Chingay Parade became an evening-to-night parade in 1990, changing the overall feel of the parade towards one in which lights and pyrotechnics dominate. In 2000, the parade was shifted out of Orchard Road to the Civic District centering at City Hall, an area steeped in Singaporean history and culture. Construction works at the City Hall area resulted in the parade marching through the streets of the Chinatown district for the first time. Faced with limited space for spectator stands and a much more complicated and winding route in these locations, however, the parade moved back to Orchard Road in 2004 along with an effort to introduce audience participation and involvement in the traditionally passive parade. Firecrackers were let off for the first time in the parade that year. Despite the authorities allowing the firecrackers to be let off under some safety procedures, it was decided that the Chingay be preserved. In 2008, the parade was once again held at City Hall, with the route lasting from the City Hall building to The Esplanade. For the 2009 parade, it was centralised around Parliament House with the performers going around the Padang and also featured a magical Grand Finale (MAGICBOX@Chingay 2009). That year was the also the first year that the telecast on television was delayed by one day. In 2010, the parade took place on part of the Formula One Marina Bay Street Circuit route.
Post-parade street parties have been held since 2004, with the exception of 2007. An estimated 150,000 spectators attended the 2009 Chingay Parade on February 1. One million Singaporeans watched the parade on television and another 16.3 million homes and hotels across Asia received the television broadcast through Channel NewsAsia.
The 2011 Chingay Parade will be held on 11 and 12 February. It will open with a Fire Party, and will include the largest moving multi-ethnic performances, first travelling dance competition within the parade, a spectacular finale where thousands of performers will flood the parade ground holding candle lights and an inaugural colourful Arts District/ Carnival.[7] It also includes activities in which the public can participate, such as the Teresa Teng Look-Alike Photo Contest[8] and the Chingay Paparazzi competition.
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Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
A Circle of Life
The beginning of life is pure like white cloth. As life progresses, the emptiness of white is replaced by colors representing different stages. The lifecycle becomes a colorful and unique piece of art.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
-- Lower Pierce Reservoir :: Singapore -- HDR
-- Lower Pierce Reservoir :: Singapore -- HDR , originally uploaded by Pappu | Photography Love :: NIKON.
Spot
Lower Pierce Reservoir Singapore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lower Peirce Reservoir (Chinese: 贝雅士蓄水池下段) is one of the oldest reservoirs in Singapore. It is located near the MacRitchie Reservoir and the Upper Peirce Reservoir. It was originally created as the Peirce Reservoir but was designated as lower upon the creation of the Upper Peirce Reservoir. It is 6 hectares in size and contains many trees that are over 100 years old.
There is a Lower Peirce Trail, which is a 900-metre boardwalk that takes visitors through a mature secondary forest. The reservoir is the source of the Kallang River, the longest river in Singapore.
History
Originally known as the Kallang River Reservoir, Singapore's second reservoir was impounded across the lower reaches of the Kallang River in 1910. In 1922, it was renamed Peirce Reservoir in commendation of the services of Robert Peirce, who was the municipal engineer of Singapore from 1901 to 1916.
In 1975, a major water supply project to develop new water resources was undertaken to support Singapore's rapid housing and industrialisation programmes. A dam was constructed at the upper reaches of the Peirce Reservoir, forming the Upper and Lower Peirce Reservoirs.
Upper Peirce Reservoir was officially opened by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 27 February 1977.
Shot
5 shots stitched into one[-0, 0, +0], AF28-75mm F/2.8 Tamron lens
Process
HDR Tone mapped detail enhancer (Photomatix)
1 mask layer Hue/ Saturation Master
1 mask layer Hue/ Saturation yellows
1 mask layer Hue/ Saturation / Blues
2 mask layer Curves for contrast
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