I'm just back from a week in Sri Lanka, which was an absolute wildlife-watcher's and photographer's dream. Leading on from this thread: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/wildlife/f/1920/t/101029.aspx - some more wildlife from this gorgeous island. Some of the little critters I haven't IDed yet, so apologies in advance for that. And I've only had a fleeting look at the photos so will probably add more over the next few days :)
Crested Serpent-eagle. A quite common big raptor. Other birds of prey seen were Black Eagle, Shikra, Shaheen, White-bellied Sea Eagle.
Whiskered Tern. Lots of these, both by the seaside and at inland lakes.
Red-wattled Lapwing. Saw these most places, they like to fly about shrieking hysterically and sound just like terns, which is confusing.
Coppersmith Barbet. 'Coppersmith' from the tapping sound it makes, 'Barbet' from its bristly beard. Saw just the one of these, near Sigiriya.
Peacock. Photographed in the same area as the barbet, where there were lots of them.
White-browed Fantail. Hyperactive, charming little bird. I have a nice rear-view shot of this species for the bum thread :) This was in the garden at Sigiriya.
White-breasted Kingfisher. The commonest kingfisher in the country. We also saw one Common Kingfisher (same species as in the UK), and Stork-billed Kingfisher.
A few Odonata. The names are my best guesses but I'm seeking confirmation... this is Ictinogomphus rapax (various English names including 'Asian Tigertail'), seen on the south-west coast.
A stunning rainforest damsel - Euphaea splendens.
Maybe Neurothemis tulla. Seen in central areas.
A lovely small damsel. No clue what species it is...
There were swarms of these near the top of Sigiriya. Very active and difficult to photograph. ID?
And another I haven't IDed, by a lake near Dambulla.
Some mammals. I already posted a shot of the endemic forest species Purple-faced Langur on the other thread. I've now realised that the Toque Macaque is also endemic. The macaques seemed to be the commonest monkeys, though we also saw Grey Langurs.
A mad-looking mongoose, which I've tentatively IDed as Ruddy Mongoose... seen in the central lowlands.
Indian Palm Squirrel. All over the place, including town centres.
Spinner Dolphins. Seen from the whale-watching boat, a few miles south of the port at Mirissa. They were part of a pod of about 500, spectacular sight.
I have loads more so will add to this thread later but that's all for now.
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
aiki said: A lovely small damsel. No clue what species it is... There were swarms of these near the top of Sigiriya. Very active and difficult to photograph. ID? And another I haven't IDed, by a lake near Dambulla.
Ceriagrion coromandelianum (Coromandel Marsh Dart), Rhyothemis variegata (Common Picturewing), and a female Neurothemis tulla (Pied Paddy Skimmer) - I think (and I would agree with the three Odo Id's you give for the first photos you posted).
The first Large Red Damselflies should be on the wing any day now - about time too, I'm getting withdrawal symptoms!
Looks like a great trip, and I bet that you've added a few to the number of bird species that you've photographed!
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Brilliant selection Aiki-looks like you had a fab trip. It's really interesting to see other species, thanks for posting, I really enjoyed and looking forward to more!
Jayne
See my Flickr photos here.
Thanks for the Odonata IDs, Roy. So that little damsel is a congener of our Small Red Damselfly. I do have more Odo pics to come, and some other invertebrates too. And more birds. And reptiles. Will get round to it soon :) And yes, there are rather a lot of new birds to add to my photo library!
Thanks Jayne :)
Fabulous photos aiki, but never expected otherwise! Am sure you must have had a wonderful trip with so many new species to discover.
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Amazing pictures of amazing wildlife you've captured Aiki! What a brilliant trip!
Fantastic
Hi M
Fantastic photos from what was obviously a fantastic trip I look forward to chatting about it next time we get out.
Regards Shane
My Photos in Flickr.
Brilliant photos. Really great to see all these exotic creatures. I think practically everything out there would be a new one for me - except for the Whiskered Tern.
Looking forward to seeing more.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Super photos, Aiki. A rare treat to see all that non european wildlife.
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake