Harvest man spider
A spider with long legged legs,feed on flies,mosquitoes and other tiny insects usually spinning web to catch all kinds of insects. I’ve found these harvest man spider while cleaning the house,I was lucky to discover it during daytime. Spiders usually hide by day,this one remains hanging and sleeping quietly on his own web.
Every year,event takes place at the same venue. It was recognized as one of the most glamorous parade of floats carrying favorite movie themes. Just like the past years, it become an integral part of the holiday season every December.The Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade was a project of the Rotary Club of Mutya ng Pasig and Ortigas group of companies with the help of School teachers, Barangay and City officials.
All floats was represented in a unique way carrying distinctive characters with different movie theme.The big vehicle carrying a huge generator,the entire platform was fabulously decorated following their own theme and it shines remarkably vivid at night with the multi-colored lights attached to the whole surface of the float.
For me, all floats appeared to be very creative and remarkable to the eyes of the passers around. First glimpse,you’ll surely stop and park. All floats lining up the side street beside the SM Hypermarket. I was having a night fun photographing all the floats but, having a hard time looking for the best spot to shoot, it was full of people around every corners of the street. What a popular attraction.It was for the masses to enjoy.
For floats previously published. > Paskotitap 2011 Christmas Lights and Sounds Float Parade
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The dragon dance troupe carrying their piece. Floats starts moving early in the evening. Young boys and girls followed the way.The photographers and videographers getting ready.
For me, it was the best theme of the night, The Avatar float.Photographing the scene will take up the entire float. These float carrying the movie theme,”Avatar,”It represents the flying dragon with the two main major characters.Earlier,I’ve published the Avatar float. I’ve completed all the scenes,which includes the Avatar dancers and other props like the prayer tree.
A lavish display and very pretty Avatar dancers.
Hand crafted stuffs and figure of a huge dragon. Just wondering,how many workers get involved and how long to finish one huge float.
Creating a float like this would be a lengthy process considering all the lights,characters and some props added.I’m sure,it was the work of art of Filipino talented artist making interpretative figuresto make appear like the original one.
Pretty girls with props and wearing their glamorous costumes.
A huge octopus float !
” Finding Nemo” theme.
Representing the movie theme,”The Cars.”
The evening was quite fun. I was so tired upon reaching home. I was very anxious to upload all these photos taken during the night parade and of course, I was so excited to view some beautiful pieces of my own photography. My effort was all worth it. I’m looking forward again for next year’s Christmas light and sound float parade. Merry Christmas everyone!
Once again,we visited our departed loved ones buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,a Heroes burial site.(Taguig city,Manila) It was a calm and peaceful afternoon visit 3 days before ”All Souls Day.
I took a few shots during our visit before prayers offered.
We offered fresh flowers,light up all the candles and,gathered for a suppose to be solemn prayers but, sounds of the airplanes taking off and landing disrupted our prayers.It was a loud sound which is very annoying.Nevermind, It was a precious visit !
A visit to let them know that whenever they may be,we will never abandon them as they are still alive in our hearts.
Gray wagtail bird
Sounds of gray wagtail bird wakes me up,singing and chirping rhythmically outside the window early in the morning.I was trying to figure it out what’s happening outside.It seems they are trying to get me do something for them. Quickly,I get up and run outside,I saw these gray wagtail birds eating and enjoying slices of bread left on the table yesterday.
Originally,The gray wagtail was alone,making some noises calling her mate, and minutes after, her mate has arrived to join her. It’s a bird behavior during food sharing.
What a morning excitement,these is how birds behave when they see something good in the morning.It was just a morning surprise for them. Nevermind, chirping has the power to wake you up, cheer you up, and makes you happy.
Featuring the 2012 Electric Float parade last December.One float carries the movie theme Avatar ,an epic fiction film was the night’s favorite. For me,the best movie theme float is the Avatar. The float design, decorations, electric lights and the costume is unique and attractive. Avatar dancers was almost perfect, the painted face and body was a fantastic work of art.It really looks like the original Avatars. Here’s some shots taken during the night parade. 17 images all in all. It was a night photography. Click on images to view larger.
This is how the Avatar electric float looks like,it was a huge float. The reproduction of fantasy creatures brings them back to life. The two main Avatar characters;Jake Sully and Neytiri riding on a flying dragon.
Portraying significant roles as the dragon riders,it was a perfect copy. Neytiri and Jake Sulky with bows and arrows.
Me with the Avatar dancers.There was a traffic jam,the float can’t barely move,I guess,it was my chance to giggle with them.
The Avatar dancers with their costumes and painted face make-ups.
Neytiri ready to shoot. These guys really portraying the role of Avatar warriors.
Close-up shot of one of the Avatar dancers.
From a distance, I’ve produced a good shot of a flying dragon.The float was full with vibrant lights. It was very colorful at night.
The recreation of the magical tree, the place for prayers.It was really a huge float to accommodate some props.
This is the complete view of the whole float.It looks like floating on the night sky.
These guys are good Avatar actors.
The front view. Really hard to take shots around. It was full and crowded with people I barely know.
Tempting to make a good result but, it was so difficult to photograph.
I’m enjoying the fun around with around here.
Not a camera shy for these guys.
One last shot and it was all well done.
Looking forward for next year’s parade of float again.Check my next post for the complete presentation of different movie theme,”Electric float parade,2012.”
I already knew in advance that the weather is good so I pushed through Tagaytay city.Although it’s a hot summer but, this is the best time to explore beautiful places away from home.Work was so stressful lately and this is the best time to relax. I need to stop the day’s work to make a serious travel. Sometimes, you’ll feel excited that you’ll end up sleepless before the trip.
Not that far,it’s just more than an hour drive away from Manila,Tagaytay, Its not only known for its natural beauty and beautiful scenery but,it’s a cool zone for glimpse moments outdoor fun and adventure. Tagaytay has grown different species of flora; rare orchids, huge sunflowers,fragrant roses, hardy ferns,cacti,as well as fruits and vegetables,ornamental plants,hardy perennials, chrysanthemums,dahlias,lilies, and flowers for water gardens.
The scenery taken around will remind my foreign friends that Philippines is beautiful and rich in cultural heritage.I took shots of beautiful sights that captured my attention.Shots taken around will surely impress my visitors,it was fascinating enough according to my friends who came to visit lately.This is just documenting the natural scenery during my travel to remember my happy summer adventure for this year 2013.
Along the way, I made a quick stop.
I was so tired but to see the lovely scenes around makes me cheerful and lively.
Stop to look and shoot !
Covered with forest which i totally dark inside,it was a resources for the local people living in this area.I think, it’s already enough to sustain their needs once you’ll see the vast vegetation.
Dark forest and mountainous site.
Amidst the hectares of land,bountiful rice fields and tropical vegetation fluorished.
The beautiful wide array of pineapple plantation.Regular harvest of pineapples done every weekends.It become the real benefit to the buyers came from other towns and cities.
Sweet pineapples newly harvested.One pleasure of travelling to Tagaytay is famous for tropical fruits.What’s summer without these fruits? The freshness of fruits cools me down. Name it,they have it.
The giant sunflower fields.The flower was unique. Let me show you the flower itself.(see next pic.)Other varieties of trees,orchids and flowering plants to see around.
This is a giant sunflower, traditionally bigger compared to other varieties.The sunflower plant was even taller than me.Some have finished flowering,I’ve collected some dried seeds to bring it home for the hope to produce our own sunflower garden in our own backyard.Aside from sunflowers,there were a lot more.(Check pictures below)
Leisurely walk around beautiful flowers.Philippines is a home to 70% flora and fauna.
A lot of Philippine flowers and orchids around.The exotic range of Dahlias; Single-flowed dahlia,Paeony dahlia, Large-flowered cactus dahlia,Decorative dahlia, and Small pompon dahlia.
Pink and attractive.
I reached the boarder of the Taal Lake.
The green forest with the crystal lake beyond. At the top, I can still smell the refreshing scent of the flowers.
Lake Taal and Taal volcano in the province of Batangas. Naturally romantic that will touch your heart.
Taal volcano was considered as one of the world’s smallest volcano.
The beautiful landscape of Taal vista park. Over viewing Taal volcano and Lake Taal.I’ve been to this place more than once,you may always want to return once you’l see the romantic view.
We’ve been here camping and vacationing. Some huge trees as the outpost and beneath the trees are different varieties of plants and flowers.
Taal Vista hotel,all conveniences one might expect.Aside from cool atmosphere,It was the best dining site serving your favorites the way you want it.The array of international dishes you can choose. It was cooked into perfection.
Entertainment while having lunch. Beautiful local dancers performed cultural dance shows.
After lunch, We stop-by Grandma’s house for a quick snack and rest for an hour.
I took an hour ride biking around the area. It was cool.
It was already almost 6 pm when we went home. We passed by the same way and stopped along to take a good shot of the greenfield. It was almost sunset.The view was glamorous below. I was watching the sun rapidly sinking beyond horizon. To see the sunset was a calming spirit to change the state of mind.
There were a lot of fruit stalls along the road. I’ve stopped to buy some local fruits to bring home.All summer fruits available here,we got ripe mangoes,bananas and pineapples. The presence of durian as considered the king of fruits,I hate that horrible smell. I never dare to get closer.
Sweet bananas. It took a week for us to consume the whole thing.
Ripe and sweet mangoes.
Mangostan fruit.
Just after the sunset, we’re following the dark skies back home.
My adventure touched my life.It was a beautiful memories to cherish forever.
They are Antropods.You can clearly see here the 2 pairs of legs in each segment.Being curious with their slow crawling and curling movements,I took few shots. Check how they curl up when being disturbed.
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While crawling,
When being disturbed,
Rolled up to protect the legs.
the ability to comouflouge and pretending to be dead.
Ended up in a rounded curl,looks like an elegant bangle.
I don’t want my summer vacation to pass by without anything to recall from it,these”Glow in the Dark” images serves as my summer souvenir for the year 2013.It was all taken during my free time and it was an unholy hour of the day when the sun is up and terribly hot.It’s just as fun worth remembering and better when it is shared !
Note: (51 images all in all)
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My special edition of ”Summer Photography”
One day old flower is a pristine beauty opening into perfection and it shines at night, it glows,”Glowing in the dark”.These tiny wildflower is of circular shape with a thin delicate petals which is distinctly attractive in whiteness but, it is not scented.However, it looks natural with their own petals and pistil.
I have captured these flowers late in the afternoon and it was delicately shot for several reasons, the petals will only be alive and unfold for 5 hours,it was a short-hour flowers.Secondly,the stem is soft but,you cannot re-do positioning the flowers all over again to avoid bruising the surface,it makes the white petals dirty which can easily be seen that will give fatal results. Thirdly, I was in a rush to take the shot before the wind comes,when strong wind blew, the petals started to fall naturally.Keeping the flowers fresh will give a good result and it looks lovely with the natural dark background.
I have tried different shooting modes; vivid color, color swap, color accent, monochrome, and foliage.It was a fun colour adventure especially the coolness of green,pink,purple, and yellow.Some effects gives cleaner and clearer effect.Whatever it may be, the beauty of the natural flower flows vividly,it was a colour feast on its own.
Note: More ”Glowing in the dark images next post. Check the result again soon.
As the soil dries up in the wild, feathery looks of a wild grass flower has its own intrinsic beauty as blown by the wind in the wild.These is a beautiful ornamental grass that can be use for decorative purposes,they have become more widely popular. Some wild grasses with creamy white flowers have been grown for certain purposes, they have been grown till they dried up and cut when they reach maturity but according to our gardener,over-exposure to full sun makes them brittle.
I took this shot on top of the mountain in Tagaytay city.Perhaps,If you won’t climb,you’ll not see the beauty of the life.In a hot and dry lands,these wild grass can survive in the wild even without water.Along the mountain top,you can see flowering trees around that normally live for many years.
Other types of wild plants are found practically around,rare species of evergreen,clusters of white wildflowers and charming shrubs which is not easy to grow.