Volume 36 - November 2022
Dear Colleague
As part of our efforts to provide an enriched experience to our loyal partners and guests, we are happy to present the humorous and information-packed Volume 36 of the Ceylon Wilderness Digest.
Happy reading!
Eco Team - Sri Lanka
Your Sri Lankan wilderness specialist
A Plum Headed Parakeet calls out
“Oh sorry, you looked a lot like my former master Chaa-min-da. I thought he was looking for me. Although… it’s been 2 years since I flew out of the open cage, so maybe he’s given up. You’re surprised that I was caged? Well, my kind has been kept as pets for generations by your kind. That’s because we’re a chill species. You feed us, look after us since birth and we’re quite cool with that. It’s a sweet gig! Most of us born and raised that way don’t ever bother leaving, even if we are set free. But a few of us like to spread our wings, get back to the wild and live with our wild brethren.”
Fun Facts
“People keep us pets mainly because of how we look and behave. Us males have purplish-red heads with a black neck ring, quite stylish I must say; the girls have blue-grey feathers on their heads, and some yellow tinged feathers around their necks. The rest of our bodies are primarily green with varying shades all over. We love mimicking our masters and they love it when we learn their language and say stuff to them… Polly wanna peee-nutt? Dawg shatonthe caaapet again Joolia! See? I’m good, aren't I?”
Story of the Photo
Visitors to Explorer by Eco Team in the Sinharaja Rain Forest are always stunned at the immense amount of birdlife found there. The sociable Plum Headed Parakeet is quite at home Sinharaja and Dilum got this shot close to the campsite.
A Painted Bronzeback is startled
“Why would you sneak up on me like that? Oh you weren’t? I was so focused on grabbing that lizard for lunch, I probably didn’t notice you. What lizard? Well, it’s gone now, so maybe I should head towards a pond and look for a juicy frog. Why the rush? Well because I have to get all my eating done during the day. The night is scary! I usually find a nice low branch and hide up there in the night to keep safe. We may look threatening, but we are quite a nervous species. Slither away fast, ask questions later - Is the motto of my species!”
Fun Facts
“I hate dense forests, too dark and too many scary things in there. Me and my kind, we like the edge of the forests, cultivated areas, gardens and parks. Lots of light and with visibility of any predators long before they get close. But if they somehow do get close, I do this cool thing to scare them off. I take a deep breath and inflate my body to show the bluish turquoise skin underneath. They see that and think I am venomous. I’m not by the way, but don’t tell the predators that.”
Story of the Photo
Udawalawe is so famous for its elephant sightings, that the other inhabitants of the forest are often forgotten. This Painted Bronzeback is among the amazing wildlife found there and Dilum got this shot of the harmless snake quite close to the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Udawalawe.
An encounter with a Plum Judy
“Land on a branch, turn around and take off, land on the branch, turn around and take off! That’s the secret to survival my friend. The dance is unpredictable and confuses the predators! Also, never leave the treetops or the cover of foliage. I don’t know why I am telling you this, but you seem to have a friendly face. Also, I never pose for photographs. Call me a diva, but I find that by not opening your wings completely and giving photographers easy shots, makes me quite a desirable subject!”
Fun Facts
“Another desirable fact about me… my species likes to change colours! Oh, you didn’t know that? We change according to the seasons. Males are maroon-brown with a brilliant sheen of metallic purple in the wet season and drop the purple during the dry season. The ladies are hazel brown during the wet and make themselves paler during the dry. Our eye colours vary too, from golden yellow to bluish green. I’ve spent too much time in one spot talking to you, time to dance again, bye!”
Story of the Photo
Dilum had quite a tough time getting a good shot of this never-sit-still butterfly. But he finally triumphed just outside of the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Wilpattu.
A sleepy Emerald Dove is awakened
“I was having such a nice nap. Unlike other birds who bum about in trees, we mostly use trees to sleep. So next time you see one of us in the trees, tread lightly. Oh you’re one of those people who likes to watch birds. Dodgy habit if you ask me, anyways, I suppose you want to know stuff about me. Well we’re more or less like the rest of the pigeon world, except that we are way more colourful. Bright emerald green back and wings, dark vinous pink head and underparts, bright red bill, and reddish-brown legs. I dare say we’re the best looking of the bunch!”
Fun Facts
“We’ve done quite well for ourselves, none of that endangered nonsense. If there are tropical forests, wet woodlands, farms or mangroves you can bet we’re there. Lots of fallen fruit, seeds and juicy plants in those areas you see and it’s easy to make nests there too. Just chuck a few twigs together high up in the trees strong enough to hold 2 eggs, and you’re done! It also helps that we like to hang about it in groups. I think that has helped a lot in growing our population. Right, enough chit-chat, off you go. I need my siesta!”
Story of the Photo
Usually found rooting around on the ground for food, this sleepy dove was photographed by Dilum within the premises of the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala.