The Private Life of Plants

One day, I was browsing in a CD shop and came across this DVD pack. I thought it would cost a fortune to own it and nearly betrayed my joy by yelling 'Cheap, cheap!' when I was told that it cost only $20. Twenty Bucks! Where on earth do you get such quality stuff for that kind of price? Once in a while, you strike gold when you walk into a CD shop or bookshop and I certainly did.

Bukit Timah Hill

View of the disused quarry at Bukit Timah Hill.There were no flowers in sight but there were other interesting things to look at. In the fading light, I had no choice but to make use of the camera flash to take these lovely fruits.

Dying trees.
Makes me think of Japan.
A squirrel that was lightning fast.
A monkey carrying her baby whizzed past me and went up a tree.

Flower in the evening light - Petrea volubilis

This climbing plant originates in Tropical America and is also known as Purple Wreath. It belongs to the Verbenaceae family.

Strophanthus gratus - Climbing Oleander

It is always a delight to come across the fresh blooms of this medicinal shrub especially after a morning shower. I photographed these flowers in the Singapore Botanic Gardens

After the rain...

...and when the sun shone.

Common Name: Climbing Oleander, Cream Fruit
Family: Apocynaceae

Origin: Tropical West Africa

Wall flower

Flowers on a single tile that is part of the facade of a pre-war house.

Pine tree flowers

The first time ever I saw a flower on a pine tree, I could not believe my eyes. Other than pine cones, needle-like leaves and the straight trunks, I have never wondered about flowers. I thought there weren't any or in fact, I never gave any thought to whether pine trees flower or not. Well, they do and here's the proof:

Tetracera indica - The power of a single flower

So many tiny fruits on this shrub growing at the foot of a Tembusu tree. I was intrigued by the shape...

The colour...
The perfect buds...
And then my reward for paying so much attention to the clusters and clusters of fruits...I saw the flower. It was the only one. Imagine that, one flower only but what a joy!

Lotus embroidery

Yes, this is not a painting. This is very fine embroidery adorning a wall in the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum in Sago Lane.

Camera: Olympus SP550UZ
ISO400
1/8 Sec
f/3.2
hand-held