My iPad Mini that will be

:-D….finally the long wait is nearly over. I have been waiting for iPad Mini since Apple launched iPad in April 2010.

Did I love it that much then, no, not really. But, as I inevitably get to know the iPad and its features, I could not help falling in love with it. As Apple released its iPads, one after another, I held steadfastly to my desire for an iPad Mini. I would occasionally surf the internet for grapevine news of iPad’s little brother, and I would always find something, somewhere or someone who has some little bit of news or rumours to feed my dream.

Why wait for iPad Mini, when we have other Tablets of the smaller size too.

 

It must be my fascination with Apple products and not owing one, the fact that three of my siblings have iPads did further foster my desire for iPads, its user friendly interface, its smooth, responsive touch screen, vivid display and its amazing and numerous apps.  I had on occasions tested out some of the other tablets but they did not succeed in arousing my interest, although I had to admit that was some time back and they have since improved their models and products too. But undeterred, I waited patiently for my iPad Mini, besides the fifth generation is always the best. Another point is its compatibility among Apple’s products.

I have small hands and have too many things in my handbag for something heavier than iPad Mini which is a mere 308 gm. 7.2 mm thin packed into a 7.9” display.  Wow, that’s fantastic. Not to worry, Mr. Tim Cook, for in spite of some critics especially on the price there will many out there, who are like me and who have been waiting patiently for the iPad Mini.

Frankly, I will not be jumping on the bandwagon immediately, after all I have waited so long, what is a few more…months. :-( The iPad Mini is only expected to be released in Malaysia in early 2013. :-(

General rundown on the specs :

Measuring 200 mm (7.9”) x 134.7mm (5.3”) with a ‘thinness’ of 7.2mm(0.28”)

and weighing a mere 308 gm(0.68 lb).

 

When all's said and done, my very personal choice is of course, the iPad Mini.

The best is, I will be getting as a present from…………??   :-D

Watch the video link for a video introduction of the iPad Mini and I am sure you would be bowled over too.
I am sure Steve Jobs is smiling up there too.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57538781-37/apple-shows-off-the-ipad-mini-in-youtube-videos/

For related links : 

iPad Mini Overview : http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/overview/ 

Technical specifications on iPad Mini : http://www.apple.com/asia/ipad-mini/specs/ 

For a comparision on my favourite small Tablets : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411313,00.asp 

Birds Visiting My Garden 1

If you had asked me if I would be spending my time bird watching, my answer would most certainly be a ‘No!’. Never dream that I would enjoy them so much. I don’t actually bird watch, but more like “I SPY, I KNOW, I LOVE”.  I simply could not help finding myself drawn to these feathered friends, although I actually do not know them that well.

Now that I spend so much time in the garden, I watch these birds courting for mates, looking for food and just enjoying themselves in my garden.

I find so much pleasure if I manage to snap a good picture of these birds, although it is not easy as they can be very elusive and they take off into the air to stay safe, the moment they sense something or someone approaching.

But there are some moments, when I am lucky enough to catch them just before they escape. I hope that these pictures will get better and clearer when my photographing skills improved.

My tribute to these small featured friends………………….

Zebra Dove aka Bared Ground Dove

This lovely, couple were sunning themselves after a night of heavy rain

Also known as the ‘Merbok’, to the local community, the Zebra Dove is a peaceful, calm looking bird. It usually forages on short grass for seeds. Home is coconut palm trees or other high trees. Both parent birds have special glands in their crop which will enlarge to secrete a Pigeon’s milk. The young chicks will then feed from their parents throat with their bill(beaks). These Doves call/sing in low melodious coo(s).












 


Another couple,foraging for food but the picture is not very clear

 

Black-Naped Oriole

The Black-naped Oriole is known as the Burung Kunyet Besar to the locals. It has bright yellow and black plumage. With wings and tails in black and yellow, the Black-naped Oriole is an attractive, medium-sized bird of around 27 cm. There is a distinctive black band, going round the head, crossing the eyes from base of the bill.

Its diet consists mainly of fruits and insects. It can be aggressive and frequently raids nests of other birds feeding on eggs and nestlings.

It makes a loud call which to my untrained ears sound like ‘oriole’.

Olive-Backed Sunbird aka Yellow-Bellied Sunbird

This is a small bird, barely 4-5 inches, bill to tail (approximately 12 cm). It flies very fast, getting away from predators or me, unaware that I am just a bird watcher, and definitely not going to cause any harm. Nectar and small insects form its diet. You can easily see them with their long, slender, decurved (curving downward) bill, deep down inside a flower, sucking up the sweet nectar. Plumage on its head, throat and upper breast are dark, metallic olive with bright yellow under part. Both sexes are olive green above and yellow below. Its shrill chirps are often heard, cutting through the morning air around our Malaysian home gardens.

Olive-Backed Sunbird in flight

These are a few links for some very good videos on the Black-Naped Oriole.

Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 1-Incubating
Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 2 - Feeding
Black-naped Oriole Nesting Story Part 3 - Leaving The Nest

A youtube posting of Orioles contributed by my neighbour, Azlina. Hope you like it too.
Recording of Orioles melodious calls

Another good video here, so well taken. 
Black-naped Oriole breeding 黃鸝鳥育