JACKAL....YALA, SRILANKA...!!

Hot & humid weather conditions at Yala, Srilanka forces every living species to take cover under a shade or dip themselves in a puddle of water. Here is one such image where a Jackal was just emerging out of a puddle and shaking off....!!

SAMBAR DEER COOLING OFF...YALA, SRILANKA...!!

The tropical climate at Yala, Srilanka, gets very hot...Here is a image of Sambar Deer cooling off in a puddle. The graceful evening light did add to the mood.

ROSE RINGED PARAKEET....YALA, SRILANKA....!!

Rose ringed Parakeet...Common species to the Sub-continent. Very pretty bird and noisy. They are very sociable and family oriented. Often seen as pairs or either of them guarding the nest and rearing the young ones.

BLUE TAILED BEE-EATER...YALA, SRILANKA...

As the name suggests this Bird has a blue tail and belongs to the family of Bee-Eaters. Swift and efficient prey catchers in mid air.

PEACOCK IN FLIGHT...YALA, SRILANKA...!!

I have not come across pictures of Peacock in flight. My visit to Yala, Srilanka yielded this picture. Peacock and Peahen are common birds across the subcontinent. The Peacock is more attractive and colorful with its long feathery tail. They are know for its design and colors and has inspired many artists in various fields.

I have enough pictures of peacock sitting, walking and displaying its feathers...This time I wanted them in flight...The problem is their flight is very short and does not gain much of height. So it is mostly among the bushes and branches of a foliage...

I found this fellow perching on a open branch and had a clear view of the sky. I decided to wait ...How long...god knows...He was basking in the glory of a beautiful Sunlight and absorbing every ounce of it...

It was a test of strength of my shoulders and Biceps to hold the combo of 300mm F 2.8 and 7D body...for about 25mins. At last he flew across the blue sky I clicked to glory. I was rewarded a picture of my life time.

He is more colorful in flight than on perch...the lovely earth color of the wings are treat to watch of them magnificent  bird.

JUNGLE FOWL....YALA, SRILANKA...!!

JUNGLE FOWL.. in Srilanka is unique and different from one found in our country...This picture was made on of our our early morning stint at the Yala Wildlife Reserve...Just after the Sunrise...they were pecking for food...Generally shy and they run-away and difficult to get in open... Notable difference is on the CROWN...its got a yellow middle patch..

BLUE TAILED BEE-EATER...PAIR...YALA, SRILANKA....!!

Very beautiful Bird...The name derives from a prominent blue tail it has. Found in shrub forest. It was nice to watch them in action catching insects in mid-air.

BROWN FISHOWL...YALA, SRILANKA...!!!

Little difficult to spot among the woods in the forest...Beautifully adapted with large eyes for Nocturnal activities.

MONITOR LIZARD....!! YALA, SRILANKA...!!

Yala Srilanka is known for monitor lizards....I did see then as small as 6inches and as large as 6 foot in length. Scavenging the forest floors for food and they laze on rocks soaking up Sunshine for hours on end.

GREEN BEE-EATER....!! YALA SRILANKA...!!

CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE....SRILANKA...!!

CHANGEABLE HAWK EAGLE...fiery eyes...and a sharp, strong beak is a very beautiful bird. It is identified by the the crest feather on its head. This picture was shot at YALA , SRILANKA...They feel on small Monitor lizards which are found plenty in Srilanka.

LEOPARD....YALA, SRILANKA.....!!

In continuation of my trip to YALA WILDLIFE RESERVE, SRILANKA...Here is one of my favorite Cat Pic.
As we were driving up in a safari jeep early morning...near a tankbund we came across this majestic female walking right in front of us...I just grabbed my camera to shoot the entire sequence of her CAT-WALK... it lasted for about 30 sec and she disappeared into the bushes. She was on a fast trot...looks like she was hungry.

It took some time for me to sink in that we were the only guys to have seen this CAT..and captured the moment in its entirety...

More pictures to follow with more stories.