Northern Pintails, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

We spotted these Pintails on the shore of a water resrvoir at the Udawalawe National Park.

Brahminy Kite - Haliastur indus, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

This bird is very often seen circling the clear sky in pairs wheeling in the high thermals. They make a high piercing cry of 'whee whee whee' heard all over the countryside. They swoop down on birds' nests to grab the youg chicks. Crows usually attack them in groups and drive them away protecting their young.

White-bellied Sea Eagle - Haliacetus leucogaster,Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

' I am the monarch of all I survey, None my right to dispute' this eagle seems to say as he sits on the branch of a tall tree, close to a water reservoir.

Grey Heron - Andea cineria, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

Wading and feeding in a water reservoir in the Park this burd had its plumage ruffled by the strong breeze present in the vicinity. I took these pictures using a Nikon D90 with a Nikon D zoom lens 70-300 from a stopped vehicle using VR on. I took the shot 'hand-held'.

A Pelican and a Stork at the Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

Roseate Turn - Sterna dougallii, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

A brood of Pea-fowls - Pavo cristatus, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

The cry of 'maeyoe' 'maeyoe' repeated loudly is heard in this shrub jungle. Very often you come across them on the roadway. If disturbed near a nest they will launch an attack and will try to peck out the eyes of a threatening human being. The Dutch loved their meat and slaughtered them by the hundreds. The Shah of Persia of an earlier era slaughtered a thousand of them to collect their feathers, to decorate the throne of a thousand year dynasty. The lard from their flesh is applied on the skin in the belief that it will promote bone healing in a fracture.
The pea-cock is the 'Vaahana' - vehicle of Lord Skanda and hence is not harmed by the local population. It is by law a protected animal in Sri Lanka.

Malabar Pied Hornbill - Anthracoceros coronatus, Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka.

We spotted a tribe of these on the branches of a dead tree inside the Udawalawe National Park. Drs. Wignaraja, Kaluaratchi, David, Peter and Mick were with me in the Safari Jeep when we spotted them. I took these photos with a Nikon D90 using a 70 to 300 D lens with vibration reduction on. The shot was taken hand-held from the Jeep.