Best of 2017: Top 10 Photos

Here is my personal list of favourite photographs that I took throughout the arduous but fun year of 2017.

Honourable mentions

White Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea). Taken on: 02/12/2017 @ Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Burmese Lynx Spider (Oxyopes birmanicus). Taken on: 26/06/2017 @ Yishun, Singapore

Cultivated Red Rose (Rosa sp.). Taken on: 07/12/2017 @ Toa Payoh, Singapore

Woodland False Buttonweed (Spermacoce remota), close-up of flowers. Taken on: 02/05/2017 @ Queenstown, Singapore

My first ever Sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus) grown from seed. Taken on: 11/11/2017 @ Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Staring Jumping spider (male Epocilla calcarata). Taken on: 26/04/2017 @ St John's Island, Singapore

Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea indica). Taken on: 25/11/2017 @ Pasir Ris Park, Singapore

Tussock moth caterpillar (Calliteara horsfieldii). Taken on: 26/03/2017 @ Zhenghua Nature Park, Singapore

Tawny Coster (Acraea terpsicore) visiting the flower of the Coatbutton (Tridax procumbens). Taken on: 04/06/2017 @ Marymount, Singapore

Sea Bean flowers (Canavalia maritima). Taken on: 06/12/2017 @ Labrador Park, Singapore

#10)

A close-up of a partially closed flower of the Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae). The sand in the background brings out the pink colour of the flower and the grains of sand on the flower seem to give the photo a sense of reality.

Taken on: 04/11/2017 @ Pasir Ris Park, Singapore

#9)

A semi-frontal view of a female golden orb-web spider (Nephila pilipes), this view does seem to bring out the ferocity of the already dangerous looking large spider.

Taken on: 08/05/2017 @ St John's Island, Singapore

#8)

This supposedly common Giant Stinkbug (Pycanum sp.) had eluded me for months until I captured this photo. Its host plant is the Simpoh air (Dillenia suffruticosa), and the nymphs are, in my opinion, the most beautiful stinkbugs found in Singapore.

Taken on: 04/11/2017 @ Pasir Ris Park, Singapore

#7)

This rather large Changeable Lizard (Calotes versicolor) was spotted basking among some high bushes on a sunny morning. It allowed me to approach quite closely before it took off.

Taken on: 25/11/2017 @ Pasir Ris Park, Singapore

#6)

More of a scenic photograph, the understorey of a secondary forest can bring about an oddly mysterious yet peaceful feeling. Coupled with the streaming sunlight and seemingly luminous water in the background, this photo just makes me feel strangely relaxed when I view it.

Taken on: 14/05/2017 @ Lower Peirce Reservoir Nature Trail, Singapore

#5)

How can anyone not be enchanted by orchids? The Bamboo Orchid (Arundina graminifolia) is a native species that is unique among orchids in that it is terrestrial rather than epiphytic. That doesn't make it any less attractive though.

Taken on: 03/12/2017 @ Spring Leaf Nature Park, Singapore

#4)

Although very common, bracket fungi never fail to fascinate me. Especially when they are contrasted by such a suitable background like the badly decomposed log in this picture. This makes a great wallpaper in my opinion.

Taken on: 06/12/2017 @ Labrador Park, Singapore

#3)

This proud Peacock (Pavo cristatus) was not afraid of humans. In fact, it only put on its display when I approached it. A pretty generic definition of beauty.

Taken on: 06/12/2017 @ Labrador Park, Singapore

#2)

It is rare to be able to get so close to a butterfly without it fluttering away. But this was what happened when I managed to snap this shot of this gorgeous Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana javana). It could literally almost touch my phone camera with its antennae.

Taken on: 26/06/2017 @ Yishun, Singapore

#1)

This photograph will always be special to me. It feels mysterious, and it epitomises the ubiquity of natural beauty. The crab spider (Thomisus stoliczkai), which is not at all rare, sits patiently in the common weed Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) in wait for prey. Truly an encapsulation of how fascinating nature is, even in urban or semi-urban spaces.

Taken on: 09/05/2017 @ Queenstown, Singapore