Our last safari drive in a park that is well known for its birds. It is known as an important site for migrating birds both north and south. Primarily consisting of scrub and large lagoons, many of which were once used to produce salt.
An early start we drove through the villages in the dark arriving at the entrance to the park just before sunrise. We transferred to our jeep, settled in and hoped it wasn't going to be a bumpy as the last drive. Once again this was a very fruitful place and I was able to photograph a lot of good birds, as a result I am splitting this day into two parts, this Part One starting from sun rise.
The usual bureaucracy at the park offices and then we were off, the tracks were very sandy, winding through the scrub.
As is always the way as the sun rises the Bee-eaters are busy by the side of the track. This a Blue-tailed Bee-eater.
I haven't photographed this one before, the Oriental Magpie Robin, so called because it looks like a Robin and is black and white.
Taking in the early morning sunshine while having breakfast, the Sri Lankan Grey Langur.
In amongst the rocks by the side of the track was a Ruddy Mongoose.
In the same area a new bird for the trip a Common Iora.
At the top of a dead tree a pair of morous Rose-ringed Parakeets.
We turned into an area of open water and mud where the lake had dried up.
A Blue-tailed Bee-eater on one of the fallen branches littered around the area.
Our guide pointed out a single Glossy Ibis that immediately flew off. There was also a Purple Heron hunting amongst the vegetation.
As we drove around the water the aspect improved with the light. Some lovely reflections with this Black-winged Stilt.
A White-throated Kingfisher.
A White-breasted Waterhen, you have to be quick with these because are really shy and do not stay out in the open for long.
A Grey Heron silhouetted against the morning sky.
Another Sri Lankan Grey Langur feeding on the leaves in the sunshine.
Then a target bird, the Orange-bellied Green Pigeon, a beautiful bird, enhanced by the morning sunshine.
A little further along a Jacobin Cuckoo.
Then an even better view.
A breeding resident bird that is found in the dry lowlands such as these.
A Rose-ringed Parakeet enhanced by the surrounding foliage.
We then came across a small pool with a large dead tree. It was alive with an excellent selection of birds. A Painted Stork sat in the dead tree.
An Indian Darter, sometimes known as a Snake bird due to the sinewy neck and dagger like beak.
A White-throated Kingfisher in the dead tree.
And a Great Egret, as I said the tree was very busy.
There were three Spoonbill feeding along the margins of the water, while one more was standing on the track in front of the car.
A Pied Kingfisher trying to hide amongst the pattern of the bark of a fallen tree.
And another Great Thick Knee.
The driver then found a Striated Heron, another new bird for the trip. A little bigger than an Indian Pond Heron it was positioned on a dead trunk and peering into the water below.
A little later it moved to a lower bough.
Epic concentration as it waits for a fish to come to the surface. I missed every stab into the water, so had to be content with a nice reflection.
We left the pool and this is a good time to close on Part One
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