SRI LANKA (5)

vEarly next morning I went for a stroll around the area before breakfast.........

 BESRA

BESRA

 PURPLE FACED LEAF MONKEY

 PFLM.

 YELLOW EARED BULBUL

 ANOTHER STICK INSECT.
After an eco breakfast we hit the road again and arrived later in Galle on the South West coast,after checking in to the Fort Bazaar hotel we explored the Old Fort area........

 LIGHTHOUSE

 LIGHTHOUSE

WHITE THROATED KINGFISHER

BLUE TAILED BEE EATER

 BROWN SHRIKE

 PURPLE FACED LEAF MONKEY ON THE FORT WALL.

 PALM SQUIRREL

 GALLE CRICKET GROUND

 FORT BAZAAR HOTEL

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER BUDDAH.
The next two days were spent at Bentota a beach resort where I was hoping to see lots of waders on the beach,just a single Whimbrel in that respect troubled the scorers, a few gulls and terns offshore a white throated kingfisher and a couple of Brahimny Kites were the disappointing return,but it was pleasant enough to walk along the shoreline and the hotel was really good.
The last venue was back in the rainforest and very much off the beaten track,The Palmstone Retreat at Kitulgala was half an hour in a 4 wheel drive up an unmade road into the jungle.Secluded is good description but it was still very well appointed and some good birds too.

 THE SRI LANKAN BLUE MAGPIE taken at first light with high iso

 BLUE MAGPIE

 YELLOW BROWED BULBUL

 YBB

BLUE MAGPIE

 EMERALD DOVE

 EMERALD DOVE

 LAYARDS PARAKEET

 BLACK CAPPED BULBUL

 aka BLACK CRESTED BULBUL

 SRI LANKAN BH BULBUL does not have a crest.

GREEN FOREST  LIZARD

COMMON PIERROT

Spent about 20 minutes getting this shot of this female CRIMSON BACKED FLAMEBACK.

 BLACK EAGLE

 BLACK EAGLE

 CRIMSON BACKED FLAMEBACK came down into full view while we were relaxing by the pool.

 CBF

 CBF

MACACQUE

 GIANT SQUIRREL

 CHESTNUT BOB

 GIANT SQUIRREL

UNIDENTIFIED MOTH

 SPOT WINGED THRUSH

 YELLOW BROWED BULBULS

 BLACK BULBUL

COMMON MORMON

BLUE TAILED FLY?

CRESTED HAWK EAGLE I think.

 CRESTED HAWK EAGLE?

FLAME TREE -JACARANDA?

A FOREST BLOSSOM

BLACK EAGLE

GIANT SQUIRREL



A PEA IN THE FOREST?

THE PALM STONE RETREAT.
Early next morning at first light it was time to leave for home,the Blue Magpies came to see us off.
We had been a bit worried about the timing but it was a much easier journey than the trip out,so we arrived in good time for our Sri Lankan Air flight,the only airline that flies direct to London.