A Stray Caterpillar. A Butterfly Close-up.

A week and a half ago, I got the chance to have a live caterpillar. It came with some leaves and stayed with me for a few days. After a while, it slowed down its movements. Since I did not have any more leaves, I decided to transfer the caterpillar onto a makeshift cactus plant.

Being busy, I did not have a chance to see it undergoing its complete metamorphosis. It was like, I had a caterpillar. Then I had a pupa. And, today, YES, today, a butterfly came out. Not just coming out in front of my eyes - but already out and ready to go! I was like, "am I missing something?"

Anyway, I was not so much into documenting the whole process as these can easily be googled from the internet. I was hoping that I could see a butterfly coming into this world, and flying out of my balcony freely. Yes, I got my wish. It waited for me. :D

To give it a head start, I got hold of one part of a pair of chopstick and coated some diluted honey for the hungry insect.

Most of the images were taken with my mobile phone, except for the few close-ups which I used my Canon EOS 60D with a old inverted lens.

The cactus belongs to my wife. I moved the "very slow" caterpillar here so that I could observe it. It was sluggish and moved like a sloth. For some reasons, I did not take a photo of the caterpillar!

Here is a shot from another angle. The pupa looks firm and healthy. The caterpillar has eaten its fill well and I was so glad that it went positively. At the time, I had no idea when it would emerge. This and the shot above were taken four days ago.

A macro view of the pupa. There is a lot of things going on inside it. A full chemical and biological change that confounded mankind even until now.

When the butterfly finally emerged, I was not present. It could be sometime in the morning. Since it is noon now, and it is pretty docile and not flying off, I thought it was just getting ready, and went off to prepare some energy food for it.

Here is another view of the butterfly taking a good rest. It was up earlier, except that it was just "walking" around. I was so happy that it has decided to stay for a while to take some solid food before flying off.

A close-up of the butterfly resting and waiting for its body to get stronger. While it was resting, I used the other chopstick to get some diluted honey onto it and eventually managed to coax the butterfly to "climb over" and get its food there.

A view from the side. Notice how it "rests" its proboscis onto the stick? I mean, if there is no need to "stick it in (as into a flower), a slap will do".

It changes its position, according to how it wants to get the energy food into its body. I tried to make a really diluted honey water so that the butterfly's legs would not get stuck onto it. I guess it worked.

Here is a closer view of the butterfly lapping things up. At the background, we can see its wings are in full spread, probably trying to balance itself as it takes its time indulging on the honey.

And, finally, a front shot. Small as it may be, there are tonnes of intricate coverings and design patterns on this little fellow. Just in case, this looks intimidating - butterflies do not bite!

When it had all that it could take, it flew off - from my highrise balcony into its free and easy world. I am sure it will do well.

Sungei Sembawang, Sunset

These shots were taken at the later part of the sunset. The weather was cool and I think it was about to rain, but did not. I was out doing some testings on over-exposures and silhouettes with the Samsung NX500.

This image was taken at the Gambas Avenue area and these building silhouettes belong to the 3M Singapore factory.

This canal is located just below where I stay, about 80m away. The pedestrian bridge where I stood links the Admiralty Drive PCN to the Woodlands Avenue 10 stretch of road, where the factories are located. 

Here is a landscape view. Lovely weather!

SUNSET. Always a changing mood

These images were taken with the Samsung NX500. This mirrorless camera has an incredibly light-weight camera body.

The ray that came in this Sunday evening burst forth from being totally bright and hot, to a calming orange-warm hue. Simply love the natural effect. 

This was the first bright ray that greeted me the moment I stepped into the house. This shot was taken from mid-way of the hall, at about 5:20pm. Fortunately, the blinds were drawn.

My wife's cute stuff that she uses for her gardening hobby. I don't do much here except to water them whenever I remember.

Some of the things in the house that caught the rays of the sun. This place is usually empty except for the displays at the foreground. Today, it is filled with boxes that need to be cleared soon.

My wife's "art centre". Beauty in the midst of chaos, I think. It looks pretty, though. That top frame that she uses to hang all these things was stripped from a discarded baby bed. How useful!

By 6:09pm, the sun has set just below the building, casting a strong orange glow against the cloud formation. Everyday, I get to see different colours of the ever faithful sunset.

Pushing More Capacity into my Dlink DNS-320 Two-Bay NAS

My DNS-320 2-Bay NAS
A few years back I bought a dlink DNS-320 NAS which I installed two 1TB hard disks (HDDs). The NAS was configured to run on RAID 1 mode. This faithful NAS has given me great peace of mind, and is also a silent worker. Occasionally, the fan does spurt up and cool the box up just a little.

A few months back, one of the hard disks crashed and I inserted a 2TB HDD as a replacement. A few days later, I took out the remaining 1TB and replaced it with another 2TB HDD. All went well with the replication of files and folders.

My Photography Hobby vs Space Crunch
However, as I took more and more photos - the disk free space became lesser and lesser. I own a Canon 60D and I use it for macro and landscape adventures. I also happen to like my daughter's latest Samsung NX500 with its 16mm~50mm kit lens. So, it has to happen.

With two 2TB HDDs and getting only 1TB in storage space, I had to do something to get the DNS-320 to recognise the 2TB HDDs as 2TB HDDs and not 1TB HDDs. Hope this does not confuse you.

After searching the internet and not getting good answers, I decided to try something through the front USB Backup port of the NAS. As I did not intend this to be a tutorial, I did not take snapshots of some screen displays. Since this little adventure helped me A LOT, I have decided to put it down on record (well, somewhat) as to how you can do yours.

I suppose you would need to "imagine" how it was supposed to look like - for some screenshots. Nevertheless, I do hope that photographers who own DNS-320 and want to upsize their RAID1 HDD capacity will find this walk-thru helpful.

Heath Check on the Operational NAS Hard Disks.
I have two HDDs inside the NAS that are supposedly running fine. Do use [Hard Drive Configuration] to check that all is STILL well. By the way, you would need to login to the NAS from your PC browser (or any other device internet browsers)  by entering the IP Address of the NAS.

You may click on the [Status] to view the various health statistics of each of the HDDs. This sreenshot shows my after-this-project HDDs - not the original 1TB HDDs, as I did not take a screenshot them.

Powering Down the NAS
You then shut down the NAS so that you can safely remove the two HDDs. To do that, navigate to System Management \ System Settings \ Shutdown. By the way, the firmware for my NAS is 2.05.

Once the Shutdown confirmation screen is displayed, we can proceed to remove the two HDDs. I labelled the HDDs as "Left" and "Right" with a marker - the way I took them out from the unit. You may have to be careful with the handling as it can be rather hot!

Installing New Hard Disks
A few days back, I managed to get hold of two additional 2TB HDDs. So these two HDDs are now inserted into the NAS. You may get hold of 3TB HDDs if you can afford it. The DNS-320 accepts up to 3TB hard disk capacity. Once it is done - do power on the NAS.

Once the NAS is up and running, do proceed back to the PC browser and navigate to Disk Management \ Hard Drive Configuration. Selected [Set Raid Type and Reformat] and proceed to set up the RAID 1 configuration. The screenshot below is an after-the-project shot. Do not be confused when you see that yours look a little bit different!

It will take a few minutes and then the NAS should be ready for use.

The Lefft and Right HDDs
There was no reason for doing this except that if ever I wanted to go back to square one - I know which was which!

The removed HDDs are now sitting on the floor, labelled as "Left" and "Right". The existing data (folders/files) where I kept all my photos and videos are in these two HDDs.

IDE/SATA-USB adapter
I needed a converter to connect the "Left" HDD to the NAS so that the NAS can read data from it. Here is where the IDE/SATA-USB adapter comes into play. This is an old adapter that I bought years back to transfer important data from IDE disks to SATA disks. [Below]. Yah. Looks primitive.

The Connection
Take the "Left" HDD and connect it to the IDE/SATA-USB adapter. Here is how it should be done.

Now, we can power on the "Left" HDD.  Next, plug the USB adapter end into the front USB port of the NAS. Do wait for a few seconds for the NAS to take note of the new device. [Below].

Setup USB Backups - Part I
Return to your PC browser and click on APPLICATIONS. [Below]. Click on the Local Backups icon.

Now on the USB Backups link. [Below]. You will be able to see MTP Backups and USB Backups on the right side of the screen.

Caution. Power on the "Left" HDD before inserting the USB adapter plug into the NAS USB port. Then click on the USB Backups. [Below] The screenshot below is an after-the-project shot.

Setup USB Backups - Part II
Load up Windows Explorer. Search for the NAS. When I looked into the content of the "Left" 2 TB HDD, it contained two volumes, USB Disk1_2 and USB Disk1_4. I found that only USB Disk1_2 contained all my files and folders. With this in mind, we can proceed to complete the setup fields.

For the source, select (or type in) USB Disk1_2 and for the Destination, select Volume_1. Fill in the necessary parameters and you are good to go.

Proceed! - I cannot remember if it was a [continue] or [okay] or [proceed] button!

Duration of the Data Transfer (copy)  process
For the 700GB++ files, the copying took about 12 hours. Simply from USB wire to NAS port. A straightforward data movement mechanism. I am glad that I used this NAS-firmware method.

Earlier in the day, I tried using my Windows Explorer to select & copy folders/files from the "Left" HDD to the Volume1 (NAS). It was agonizing. After a few hours, I did some calculations. It could take five days! My laptop was on wireless and although the NAS was on wired - it was struggling! The worse part was that the laptop has to be powered on for those few days!

You may now shutdown your laptop. Go to bed. Have a sweet dream.

Manage the Copied Folders/Files
Oh yes. Folder management. The [USB Backups] firmware actually copies all the folders/ files into sub-sub folders within Volume1.

So, all your folders and files are two folders below the top hierarchy. What I did then was to load up the Windows Explorer again and drill down into the the actual folders. Windows' Cut & Paste was used to move the folders and files back to the root of Volume1.

Dismount the USB-HDD.
Remember to return to the physical NAS and depress the Front USB button for 5 seconds to dismount the "Left" HDD. You will know you have done 5 seconds as a series of flashing blue lights will flicker when you have reached the timing. Release your finger!

The flashing will then go on for about 30 seconds or so and then it stops.

That is all. Power off the USB adapter. Pull the USB plug out of the NAS. Keep the "Left" and "Right" HDDs for as long as you needed.

In conclusion, I do wish my readers all the best!

From Punggol to Coney Island

It was meant to be an excuse to walk more. My wife and I traveled via an MRT train to Punggol Waterway Park to meet up with a friend. It was early as we reached the park at 10:29am. Our intention was to walk into Coney Island. By 3:15pm, it was time to exit the Island.

Here are some photos that I took. Maybe not the usual ones that showcase everything that Punggol and the Coney Island can offer. Just a few happening snaps.

While walking earnestly along, one will get to see greens and trees staying put at the higher portion of the hill. This one stands out. I am glad that it was left alone - although it was way out from the others.

I like this moment where two men tried out their chess skill on a Saturday noon. They were sheltered by the huge flyover above them. Have to thank our city planners for this nice touch.

I would stay here, for all the good reasons. At 12 noon, the tide was just perfect. If only I had planned for a fishing trip.

Punggol is still undergoing massive changes to enhance its park facilities, and of course, build new homes. It is incredible, if you were to check the internet for its development plan, to know what else are in the development pipeline.

This is one of the many purposeful technological infrastructures that was put in place - just so that the waterway is always filled with water, clean and sustainable. If only my area has such a thing 😊.

This is the entrance to Coney Island. A Crime Alert board put up by our SPF. Looks like there were people who just wanted to test the system just a wee bit. Five arrested since 2015. This is good news, though.

Here is a cute little mudskipper. I simply like to see these skittish amphibious fish around. They are hardy creatures and if they can live and breed there - it means the water is fine.

A slightly larger one. This particular one was somewhat sleepy or has seen too many folks. I was able to get near and take this shot. A very confident fellow.

Yes. The sea is greenish, probably due to suspended particles (as explained by science). Anyway, it looked good and clean. I believe that we must always try our best to maintain a healthy respect for our coastline. Not preaching, though. 😅

The island is still in-progress and we saw many workmen touching up the walkways, and in this case, the power closet. At this point in time, it was pretty hot. Time: 1:56pm! 

This was a timed shot. I saw some cyclists passing this point and thought that I could maybe take a cool shot. Well, the lighting was not good enough and I did not want to set a higher ISO, so had to settle for this. By this time, we had exited from Coney Island and alongside the Punggol waterway.

Another happening opportunity. The RED was just great! Certainly a good parting shot from Punggol!

It was a good, short walk.

Assassin Bugs - Birth!

It is just about two weeks from the initial presence of the eggs, and I am hoping that something good will emerge. Yes, we have the first batch of assassin bug nymphs! They look just like the female adult except that they are a miniature version of the bugs killer!

This one has just emerged, as can be see in its lighter body form. A short while later they will eventually take in a deeper colour, with all the usual black-patterns around the limbs. Much like their mum.

The moment they emerged from the egg case, they started scrapping the sticky juice from the egg case. Gradually, they applied the sticky substances on to all parts of their body. This nymph is a senior, compared to the picture above. There are many theories as to why they did that. One thing is for sure, the sticky substance will help them stay on the leaf without being blown off!

Just how such a fully formed nymph fits into that slim egg case is indeed a marvel by itself.

Here is a frontal view. This is a future bugs killer - if it makes through this week of strengthening and finding a neutral, higher position to hide.

As they gather strength, the half dozen of nymphs somehow found their way around and stay together, keeping in mind not to venture too far from their egg cases.

This one has gone to the edge of the leaf and probably exploring the surrounding, as typical of an assassin bug. But, do be careful - for the world is not a kind place to play with.

Unfortunately, a patrol of ants found them. As they were not fully developed yet, most of them were captured and then torn to pieces by the ants.

Did some of them escape? I hope so, although I did not get to see them again.

Assassin Bug - Eggs

I thought it would be great if I could post up some pictures of the eggs deposited by the Assassin Bug that I blogged a few days back. I had completely forgotten about them and was very happy formatting the pictures to show how beautiful this "true bug" was.

By the way, a "true bug", I found out, is one that sucks the juice out of another insect or plant. So, from this definition, I gather that a non true bug "chews" or eats other bugs or plants. Now, if you ever wanted to be technical and felt like calling your friend a bug - check out his or her eating habits first. Okay, just kidding.

Picture (i) shows a cluster of neatly arranged eggs. Actually there were two clusters. The other one has only two eggs and is not featured here. These eggs have been moved slightly as originally, all the bottom of the eggs touched the leaf. This picture was taken on 5-Mar-2016.

The eggs are well gelled to each other. Being in torpedo-shaped must have helped the Assassin Bug in "expelling" them out and onto the leaf. My only query is. Why is the end so rough? Did the egg get torn off from the the internals of the bug before it was expelled?

For truth sake, these two pictures have been inverted. The eggs were hanging by the leaf. Not sitting on the leaf. It is being shown this way because I found it more natural to look at them.

Eggs in a row . Look at the glistering glue holding them together - (i)

Here is the picture (ii) of the same cluster 6 days later, today! The eggs had been slightly disturbed but still intact. The whole area of each egg is coated with still-moist glue. So, no matter how the eggs were moved, they will stick to either the leaf or whatever that moved them.

We can see that it has shrunken just a bit. I am not sure if it is still "alive". I guess that would have to wait. Maybe I will check on it a few days later.

Length: 1.9 mm. Diameter: 200 ~500 microns - (ii)

You know, looking at it closely reminds me of my younger adventurous days. I used to suffer from piles and constipation and very often I would need to have those cold-hard suppositories inserted up my you-know-where. An operation in my later years took care of those suppository story forever.

Assassin Bug. The Terminator.

Sometimes, I would decide to bring my camera along for walks. Many of my macro shots of insects, spiders and whatever that lives came about through this activity. Other times, I would just grab my camera and head to the PCN (Park Connector Network) that is just 100 m from where I stay.

Here is one insect that I see almost all the time, standing on a leaf - as though it was in deep thoughts. Yes, it is an Assassin Bug. It was probably waiting for its prey to fly by. This bright-orange 12mm long coloured Assassin Bug (Cosmolestes picticeps) belongs to the Reduviidae family of insects. Order: Hemiptera.

Assassin Bug - (i)

My observation is that it does not fly as fast as a ladybird! From online documentations and some images of that I have seen on the internet, the assassin bug eats beetles such as Brown Chafer beetles. Of course, it eats whatever that comes along too. So, in my opinion it can be considered a good insect to have around in our parks!

Sharp, Curvy Proboscis - (ii)

The proboscis (pic ii) of this particular assassin bug is about 3mm long. It is hard although the curve shape does give the impression that it is just a harmless droopy nose! 

It is said that because the proboscis (pic ii) is hard enough to pierce a beetle, it is therefore good enough to penetrate our skin, if we mishandled the bug. Since it releases toxin to dissolve the beetle, it might do the same to us - and if it does - then you would probably end up with some dead cells at that particular area where it poked. 

I have not been stung before and I have not seen one bigger than this 12mm bug so I cannot tell you how painful that would be. Touch wood!

The Stare (iii)

If I were to be a prey, I would be wetting on my pants. Look at the bug (pic iii). It looks a bit like a praying mantis but more terrifying indeed. Of course, don't look at it from the side view. It is comical!

From a distance - (iv)

This is how majestic it looks (pic iv) from a short distance away. The assassin bug moves very gently as it travels from one leaf to another. If it were to land on a flower, instead of a leaf - you would probably not notice its being. From the wiki-doc, some people breed and keep them as pest controllers! I am not sure if anyone in Singapore does this.

I did manage to persuade it to move on, from one leaf to another - and it moved on without showing signs of panic or irritation. It did not attempt to fly. A mighty fellow.

Remember, the assassin bug is not a PEST.