Category: Travel and Adventure

BORED AT HOME?

By livelifeandlove on March 20, 2013

One way of killing boredom is to get your camera and shoot any subject of interest.You’ll find something new to learn,something in home that surprises you.This is my own way of entertaining myself to fight boredom that strikes me at home,it’s even fun and exciting to see the result.I feel more relaxed to photograph indoors than outdoors although, outdoor shooting is an exciting adventure to see especially if location shooting that shots everywhere that anyone would like to sight see.However, indoor is easier that pays more absolute attention without rushing to anything.You can even practice shoot to discover any problems and people around you will pick up which scenes work and which ones are not.I will just let my camera to make decisions and I’m waiting for entertainment result. I want this simple subject for today’s activity.

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Lovely flowers inside the glass jar.

This time,bit closer to the subject and with water inside the jar.

Note: Photographing in the backyard is hot especially mid-afternoon. The best way to protect your face from the sun is to have a big hat,it’s a sun-repellent but still, you need a sunblock cream especially if over exposure to the sun.

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GYPSY MOTH CATERPILLARS

By livelifeandlove on March 19, 2013

The Gypsy moth caterpillar is a garden pest that resembles the looks of a cacti.The close-up images shows the over all external features that it has needle-like spines and brisly hair-like spines too. Although many species of worms has hair that looks like spines,the hair is soft and considerably smooth to touch. This is to protect them from predators.Great numbers of gypsy moth caterpillars in the garden is a total damage to the leaves of plants and trees. I found these caterpillars eating the leaf of an atis tree(a fruit tree), peppers the leaves leaving the with big holes and sometimes, consumming everything leaving only skeleton of a leaf.

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This is the most stunning and stylish worms I’ve ever seen. The short hairdo at the top is delightfully a hairstyle.The appearance of the greenish body is just like a branching ribs.

Appearing on this image above, the Gypsy moth caterpillar’s body has a radial and needle-like spines which is soft.

Looks like a real cacti.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

FRUIT OF THE BIRDS

By livelifeandlove on March 18, 2013

Grey Wagtail bird with a fruit in its beak.

Most gardens has a fruit tree of some kind,or at least the fruit bearing trees that attracts the insects and the birds.Particularly our own garden has some kind; Manzanita fruit which the birds loves,Papaya,Chico and Atis. The grey wagtail and tree sparrows keeps coming back because of this fruits.These fruits are freshy, moist inside and sugary sweet tastes that the birds feast on it. Sometimes the fruit dries up and gradually will open after ripens and others will just naturally fall and it’s up for the birds to pick it up.

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

INCREDIBLE HULK

By livelifeandlove on March 17, 2013

Back to my childhood fantasy, I’m bringing in here my favorite characters back to life. It’s my favorite hero,”The Incredible Hulk.” These green hulk will definitely save the world to make our planet a peaceful world to live in.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

CACTI

By livelifeandlove on March 16, 2013

Month of March is summer in the Philippines.During summer,work increases and gives me the chance for an outdoor gardening.Since we are now experiencing the direct heat of the sun, perfect time to plant any variety of cacti because it suits the dry area of the garden and surely flourish in equally full sunlight.Most species of cacti have hard spine and I hate the needle-like protruding spines. Preferably, I would like to have the kind with a white hair growing on the stem and the rounded bearing red,pink and yellow flowers. Although half part of the garden is moist. With careful selection,an original flowering plants may be added so, it would be subdivided into different kinds of plants. Planting some beautiful varieties of flowering plants depends on the climate and the kind of soil where you live.I just hope the drainage will work out well for the new flowering plants.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

BLUE TONGUE LIZARD

By livelifeandlove on March 14, 2013

Blue tongue lizard is 9 inches long with a shiny grey spot which is pale in color.

A common sight visiting the garden everyday.I’ve found this Blue tongue lizard inside the rock hole beside the pond.The hole is the main quarter which serves as a good shelter from the sun and a perfect place to hibernate.The pond is cool and moist place which is good for the body temperature.It’s hard to distinguish whether it’s male or female.According to my research, Male lizards are orange or red dotted with black,the female is paler.I guess,it’s a female one because it’s paler in color. Some lizards can regenerate tail if it is lost and shed their skin in several pieces. The house lizard which is common inside the house is one good example. When the tail was cut off, the other part is still moving and seems alive after it’s been cut off.Lizards feed on insects like bees, spiders and worms.Sometimes, climbing the walls,rocks and trees.However,this lizard loves to steal food meant for the dogs.Every time the dog turns away, this reptile comes out to steal it. Food scraps is sometimes a special attraction for this blue tongue lizard.Got lots of dogs around and I hope,lizard bite is not as fatal as the snake.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

SCARAB BEETLE

By livelifeandlove on February 27, 2013

Scarab beetle

There are more than 4000,000 types of beetles.Some has colored and shiny outer cases and shiny spots which is very attractive that glows in the dark.Other beetles has powerful jaws and very active at night.Scarab beetle has 2 sets of wings;the uppers wings converted into hard sheathes which protect the lower wings. The lower wings is not as hard and durable as the upper wings,the lower is the real wings and has a shiny and transparent texture.

Last night, I’ve found this adult scarab beetle which is black and shiny. It was very easy to locate the whereabouts of beetles when they make a lot of buzzing sound at night. It was really a strange sound that disrupts the peacefulness of the night. I’ve found it near the indoor plants.It seems restless and sending a midnight message to the same species.

For photography, I picked it up with a piece of stick. I was very cautious not to use my fingers to avoid the big claws getting closer.After,I set it free outside to remain undisturbed.I had probably washed my hands 3 times after that. However,beetles are considered as a beneficial insect that is good and reliable as natural pest control.Having beneficial insects around us is a big help to our gardeners, they don’t need to spray pesticides anymore.Everyone seems to know about the effective solution.

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Travel and Adventure | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

Arrival of the Migratory Birds

By livelifeandlove on February 21, 2013

The presence of the Great Egrets in Manila Bay and to some areas in the Philippines is a proof that Philippines has touch of wildlife and a bird watching site.(Click on image to view larger)

After a long afternoon of work, I took a trip to Manila Bay and noticed a bird that was continuously changing direction and flying at high speed. My curiosity was piqued, and I quickly reached for my binoculars to observe it more closely. To my surprise, I discovered that it was a group of egrets wading elegantly in the water. This marked the second occasion I had encountered migratory birds in the Philippines. The first instance occurred during my summer vacation in 2010 when I returned to my hometown in Cagayan Valley, located in the northern part of Luzon. I vividly remember seeing an egret perched atop a carabao, while others were foraging in the grazing area. Unfortunately, when I attempted to capture the moment with my camera, they took flight immediately.

Considering the great number of egrets and some species I’ve seen everywhere near lake,river, swamps and mangrove areas.I believed that Philippines now is just like Malaysia that supports a large number of migratory birds. The reason why birds migrate? What is the purpose of migration?

Occasionally spotted nowadays, It’s quiet observable that most photographers and tourist have shown great interest to photograph the arrival of the migratory birds.It’s an expression that they care to contribute to the beauty of nature, and when you care? People does listen ! It’s just bringing message to some people the conciousness that we are presently in and what we should do to preserve wildlife because soon there would be a generation shift. Indeed,Philippines is now a ”bird watching site.”

You may also like: Previous articles about wildlife

Migratory Birds Part 1 Migratory Birds Part 2

Owl- The Silent Hunters of the Night

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

Exceptionally Attractive Muntingia Calabura

By livelifeandlove on January 30, 2013

For the first timers, to see this kind of wildflower Muntingia Calabura would already be a common scene that you’ll see it everywhere or anywhere in the wild. Not even good for flower arrangement and bouquet but, if you see the close-up shots,it would be a different thing,Of my great surprise! Muntingia Calabura flower is exceptionally attractive and superb!

We have it in our own backyard.A tree that can tolerate full sun. Muntingia Calabura tree was indeed a valuable one, source of shade, with the flowers and fruit together serve the insects for their needs. It doesn’t require much care and tall enough that can adapt to any types of soil; moist or dry.After the blooming, a small fruit comes out,a fruit which is also the bird’s favorite. I was inspired to shoot these tiny flowers every time and it’s my favorite summer pastime.I was already doing these for almost a year and suited for my own purpose.It’s nice to share and it seems, I’m now giving an account of my daily work.It’s just a regular work needed to be done.

Here’s my photo collection of Muntingia Calabura or Aratiles Flower

Note: Click on images to view larger

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS

By livelifeandlove on January 24, 2013

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The sun shot his brilliant rays through,bright sun ray appeared brightly forth! It’s beautiful and much as wonderful day to see the flowers. What appeared here is magical to explain,bright clouds and the striking sun rays favored the scene.I was pretty surprised by the reflections.I guess, it’s more or less I’ve expected. It wasn’t bad as I though.I was delighted by the sight.

In 2 months time,It will be summer time again.well,for now,I’ve only 3 things to look forward to this coming summer.Firstly, I will photograph the stinging insects again for the second time. It’s the honeybees.I guess these stinging insects are more active during summer, as well as the photographer,that’s me! It will be my summer romance with them, LOL ! Secondly, is to buy a new camera so I can go as far as I could to photograph the beauty of nature and wildlife.I don’t know if I ever mentioned these to my previous posts. Thirdly, is to go to the beach with with my family. Ohhh! I just can’t wait.Others idea of perfect summer is different from mine. I was thinking that if the rest of the summer goes like today,I’ll be the best summer ever.

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