A photographer at Hampstead Wetlands Park in Seletar Aerospace Park recently witnessed a tender family moment in the wild.
An owl family, that is.
While the mother kept watch over the tiny chick, the father was seen hunting for food, a sight that left wildlife lovers both impressed and charmed.
Source: Alfred Ng on Facebook
57-year-old photographer Alfred Ng told MS News that he took the photos between 29 June and 1 July.
At the time, he estimated the owl chick to be only about a week old.
Photographs showed the mother owl staying close to her chick in the nest, cleaning and feeding it.
Source: Alfred Ng on Facebook
Most importantly, the mother owl was there to protect the vulnerable owlet as it settled into its earliest days of life.
In one particularly adorable shot, the pair even appeared to ‘pose’ for a mother-and-baby portrait, staring straight into Mr Ng’s camera.
Source: Alfred Ng on Facebook
Meanwhile, the father owl was hard at work hunting for eel, fish, rodents, and lizards.
Source: Alfred Ng on Facebook
Mr Ng observed him successfully catching a rodent before standing majestically on a post with his catch.
He then flew it back home to the family.
Mr Ng explained that the father owl would pass the food to the mother, who would then feed the chick.
Source: Alfred Ng on Facebook
He added that the previous offspring stayed with the parents for more than half a year, though how long the current chick will remain under their care remains to be seen.
Mr Ng’s Facebook post has received more than 540 likes at press time, with many wildlife lovers flocking to the comments to praise his photos.
Source: Facebook
One commenter even joked that the owl chick has the misfortune of growing up in Singapore’s hot and humid weather.
Source: Facebook
Also read: S’pore juvenile peregrine falcon fumbles mid-air catch after father’s ‘baton pass’ of pigeon
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Featured image adapted from Alfred Ng on Facebook.