Dawn

Dawn is a special time of day for me. It holds the promise of what the day will bring...like a present waiting to be opened.
I have always been a morning person. When I was still schooling, I would arrange mini adventures with my cousins and neighbours at the break of dawn. I got a big kick out of waking at 5:00 am and going fishing, jogging, cycling or simply kicking a soccer ball in a nearby school field. The smell of the morning fresh air was enough of a draw of get me out of bed.
These days, my morning adventures are a little more sedantry and mostly confined to photography..... specifically photographs of sunrise.
Taking photographs at sunrise is an interesting experience. You have to get ready before the sun pops up from the horizon and when it does, you only get about 5 minutes to capture the magic. After that, the magic is gone.

These are some of my favourite photos. One was taken at Seletar Reservoir and the other was taken at Sembawang Park. Enjoy :)

Series 1 : Seletar Reservoir

Seletar Reservoir


This photograph was taken just before dawn broke. I love the serenity in the air. I can almost smell the fresh air when I look at this photograph.


The Light Up








The sky starts to light up in an ominous manner.

The sun breaks through





After the sun broke through, I manage to catch this photograph. I was rather pleased with the gentle texture of the tree line.

A Ray of Hope

 



Moments later, the rays of the sun beamed across the horizon.









Series 2 : Sembawang Park


This guy is not fishing :)

While I was admiring the sunrise, this guy stepped into the water. I must say that the picture turned out better than I expected....I love the ripples that formed around his feet.

Sunrise !

 




As the sun rises, it lines the sky with an orange tint and outline.

Bukit Timah Railway Station

I decided to visit the old Bukit Timah Railway Station on 15 October to check out what had become of this segment of the railway line. This is what was left of it.


Bukit Timah Railway Station

 Locating the station was a challenge. Thanks to google map and some helpful information on the internet, I found it without too much difficulty. The access from the main road was easy enough to find. I had never been to the station, so I did not know what to expect.
As I approached what appeared to be an inconspicuous lone building with a short segment of track in front of it, it dawned on me that this was the station. There was lush greenery all around. I think they call this a green corridor. I was disappointed but only have myself to blame for not making the trip sooner. Anyway, better late than never :)

I then headed the other way towards the iconic black truss iron bridge spanning Bukit Timah and Dunearn Road. There wasn't much left so I decided to take some pohotographs as a tribute to a time gone past.


Rustic Lamp-post



This lamp standing by the platform showed the way for travellers for decades. Today, it stands forlone, as a visual reminder of a time gone past. 



The iconic bridge which spans across Bukit Timah Road



The serenity is a stark contrast from the busy Bukit Timah Road below.



Railway Bridge



This bridge is neither big nor spectacular, but it has character. I hope that it will be preserved as part of the green corridor. I see a condominium being constructed on the opposite end of the bridge and hope the urbanisation does not "invade" this bridge.

4D ! Huat Ah......





Bridge Number 1871 - Not the year it was built. I forgot to buy 4D :p

Check out the rivets !



What a beauty. I guess these rivets were formed manually. I hope the folks who worked on this bridge realise that they played a part in enabling trade between Singapore and Malaysia.








This took the load of the trains



Imagine the load these rails carried while the trains were in operation. They are now retired :)



Call it abstract art !



I saw these "appendages" hanging from an overhead electrical cable and thought it would make a good picture. The backgorund is a little busy and distracting though.