Flowers seen at different levels.

Flowers seen at different levels. Using the Canon 400D is always a pleasure. Though I have said that I am all for point-and-shoot cameras such as my Canon IXUS 870, nothing quite compares to the feel of using an SLR and seeing that the pictures taken have more depth and richness in colour. Though a standard lens is much lighter, I prefer to use the 200mm zoom.

Oleander (Close-up)

Plumeria (Frangipani varieties) - At ground level.

Bauhinia Kockiana (From below)

African Tulips (From above)

African Tulip

The African Tulip trees are blooming like crazy everywhere these days. Look out for these trees that grow wild in open areas or the fringe of jungles as you drive along the roads the expressways. If you look closely you will see that the petals have a yellow trimming along their frilly edges. This morning I came across a few trees with flowers and buds in a quiet estate in Portsdown Road. While the neighbourhood was sleeping or lazing around, these flowers were at their Sunday best.

Spathodea campanulata - African Tulip

Family: Bigoniaceae

There are many African Tulip trees growing in pockets of wilderness by the side of our roads outside the city area. I see these beautiful flowers whenever the days are hot and the skies are blue and long to be able to take good pictures of their flaming red flowers. I had never managed to because they were just so far away and I could not stop my car on a busy expressway or road as and when I pleased just to take pictures.

These trees were isolated ones that I had chanced upon that were within the reach of my camera lenses. On these rare occasions, I was given the luxury of taking my time to focus on their flowers, leaves, seed pods and shape.