We came across a pair of female Purple-rumped Sunbirds (Leptocoma zeylonica) fighting on one of our rounds in Yala. The birds were on the middle of the road and were not bothered by the presence of a vehicle. They went at it for about 5 minutes before flying into the undergrowth. Definitely one of the more unusual sightings of the trip.
I hadn't been able to take a decent shot of a Sharma (Copsychus malabaricus) before our last trip to Yala. I as fortunate to come across a relatively cooperative individual perched on a branch close to the main road. It hung around for long enough for me to shoot a couple of frames before it flew deeper into the undergrowth and disappeared.
Statues of two Komodo Dragons standing guard over the bathing temple in the monkey forest. These dragons are on the banks of a small stream that runs through the middle of the forest. Apparently the locals still use the springs to cleanse themselves prior to visiting the temples.
The dragon bridge that leads to the bathing temple within the monkey forest sanctuary in ubud, Bali. The bridge is quite narrow and seems to cut through a banyan tree at the further end. Details on the age of the bridge are hard to find but the general consensus indicates that it is around 700 years old. Photographing it without people is easier said than done.
The moss covered outer walls of the main temple within the monkey forest sanctuary in Ubud. The monkeys found in the forest, Balinese long tailed macaques, are aggressive and have been known to grab food and water bottles out of peoples hands. Unfortunately it happened to us too.
The Hoopoe (Upupa epops) used to be quite a common bird in Yala when we used to visit the park as kids but over the years the number of birds had declined to the point where I hadn't seen them in ages. Unfortunately this doesn't limited to the Hoopoes of Yala. The park doesnt't seem to be as full of ...
The Malayan Night Heron (Gorsachius melanolophus) is a scarce migrant to Sri Lanka. A juvenile bird stopped by our garden in Colombo early on during the migrant season a couple of years ago and I was able to photograph it. The bird was not bothered by my presence and continued to feed whilst I photographed it.
Most travellers tend to go up to the main Mihintale temple but don't bother visiting the other ruins in the complex. The Kaludiya pokuna is definitely worth a visit as it contains a small stupa and the ruins of an ancient monastery. Pictured above is a cave dwelling near the pond. Monks still meditate in the jungles surrounding this area.
A short walk along the beach from the Light House Hotel brought me to this headland just in time to watch a stunning sunset. I was in luck as three people walked down to the waters edge just in time for me to include them in the frame.
I got lucky with photographing this bird as it arrived at home, in the heart of Colombo, during the migration season a couple of years ago. It was seen around the garden for a few of days and I spent a bit of time photographing it as it fed in the flower beds.
A small group of elephants who were a part of a herd of over a 100. We spent an evening watching them on the banks of the Minneriya tank a few months ago. Unfortunately the usual issues with Sri Lankan national parks have surfaced at Minneriya as well. Over crowding, indisciplined jeep drivers and tourists who have no clue how to behave when in the jungles.
