I had time to process few more images from Sri Lanka. They were taken this past summer.
1 and 2 Little Grebe
This is the smallest grebe (23cm) in Sri Lanka. Seen here in breeding plumage. This is the first time I used a kayak to photograph birds.
3.Grebe on the nest. Nest is usually a mass of weed.
Seems like telepathy! I was at Thalangama lake this evening and just got home! Went there for a little casual look see and to try out my 500 and guess whom I met? Gehan De Silva Wijeyeratne, ws there and it was real interesting, that guy is a walking encyclopadia. He showed me some swallows and tand explained how they could e identified by some subtle markings as the first migratory arrivals for this season.
Your shots above are superb as usual, a great display of the biodiversity we have here. I too did not realise the crocs ere is such danger.
Seems like telepathy! I was at Thalangama lake this evening and just got home! Went there for a little casual look see and to try out my 500 and guess whom I met? Gehan De Silva Wijeyeratne, ws there and it was real interesting, that guy is a walking encyclopadia. He showed me some swallows and tand explained how they could e identified by some subtle markings as the first migratory arrivals for this season.
Your shots above are superb as usual, a great display of the biodiversity we have here. I too did not realise the crocs ere is such danger....Show more →
Gehan is probably the best wild life photographer in SL. I have few of his books. I love his leopard shots. Your are so lucky that you live only few minutes from the lake.
Harsha
Gorgeous shots Harsha and a treat for those of us that have never beed to Sri Lanka. The grebes are wonderful, 2 could use a little CW rotation, the nest shot is splendid. They have different nests than the piedbilled that I know. The redshank is my favorite, wonderfully done. Spotted dove, wonderful detail and another bird I have never seen.
glad I didn't post 10 minutes ago - you weren't done.
These are wonderful as always. I was going to do picks - - but how They're all great. Both in variety, color, sharpness & in your framing. Just all wonderful.
I do have one I love over the others - but it's not based upon quality, just the simple fact that I have now fallen in love with this bird - - the pond heron. It's beautiful - just love it's coloring.
In regards to crocks..... OK, crocks are actually in danger all over the world. Habitat & the fact that people hunt them for their meat & "skin" etc has created a problem. It's only where they're protected they're coming back, like in Australia & a few other places.... Amazing thing about them...... they, like turtles, shared this planet with the dinosaurs.....
Lil Who watches too much NGC, Discovery Channel & Animal Planet
Harsha these are just wonderful. What a treat for some of us who will never travel to Shi Lanka. Thanks so much for posting.
A question 10,11, and 12 is the bird's name 'open bill'? Cool looking bird.
I gave up trying to pick a favourite picture so I picked a favourite critter , the little grebe. What pretty colours and markings.
Harsha, all great pics. The spotted dove is my favorite for sure. I've never seen one in real life here in West Texas. We have plenty of white-wing and mourning dove and once I saw an Inca dove but was unable to get a photo.
I'll be that won't be the last time you'll photograph from a kayak, Harsha Love the look and comp on that 1st Grebe along with the nesting one. Nice to see a photo of a jackal, too, makes a nice change from the standard coyote shot...The others all have their own special qualities but the Grey Heron is my pick for the light and, well, unusual look. It looks like a miniature stateside Great Blue on stilts! Super selection as per your usual, Harsha
Great stuff Harsha. It's so interesting to see the variety of critters from somewhere outside the U.S. The grebe on nest, Jackal, and Herons are so interesting.
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Gorgeous shots Harsha and a treat for those of us that have never beed to Sri Lanka. The grebes are wonderful, 2 could use a little CW rotation, the nest shot is splendid. They have different nests than the piedbilled that I know. The redshank is my favorite, wonderfully done. Spotted dove, wonderful detail and another bird I have never seen.
Well done, this is a treat for the eyes.
Tim
Thanks for the input on #2. I will correct that. Appreciate the comments.
Harsha
glad I didn't post 10 minutes ago - you weren't done.
These are wonderful as always. I was going to do picks - - but how They're all great. Both in variety, color, sharpness & in your framing. Just all wonderful.
I do have one I love over the others - but it's not based upon quality, just the simple fact that I have now fallen in love with this bird - - the pond heron. It's beautiful - just love it's coloring.
In regards to crocks..... OK, crocks are actually in danger all over the world. Habitat & the fact that people hunt them for their meat & "skin" etc has created a problem. It's only where they're protected they're coming back, like in Australia & a few other places.... Amazing thing about them...... they, like turtles, shared this planet with the dinosaurs.....
Lil Who watches too much NGC, Discovery Channel & Animal Planet...Show more →
Thanks Lil.
The pond heron is a common bird but for us photographers it is a perfect subject. The colors and feather details are amazing.
I am waiting to win the lottery so I can visit all the places shown on NGC.
Harsha
Amazing shots ... hopefully some day I can get a big lens and give it a go.. There's a nice spot that borders a friends 100 acres that is a wildlife refuge (Bayou Meto), they flood it every winter... lots of waterfowl and bald eagles, but I can't get close enough.... Daddy needs a long lens.
Rob Tillyer wrote:
Harsha these are just wonderful. What a treat for some of us who will never travel to Shi Lanka. Thanks so much for posting.
A question 10,11, and 12 is the bird's name 'open bill'? Cool looking bird.
I gave up trying to pick a favourite picture so I picked a favourite critter , the little grebe. What pretty colours and markings.
Rob
Thanks Rob
The bird in 11-12 is the Asian openbill, a resident in lagoons and swamps. I am glad you like the Grebe.
Harsha
Danny Mc wrote:
Harsha, all great pics. The spotted dove is my favorite for sure. I've never seen one in real life here in West Texas. We have plenty of white-wing and mourning dove and once I saw an Inca dove but was unable to get a photo.
Thanks Danny.
The dove is one of the prettiest I have seen.
Harsha
trailhiker wrote:
I'll be that won't be the last time you'll photograph from a kayak, Harsha Love the look and comp on that 1st Grebe along with the nesting one. Nice to see a photo of a jackal, too, makes a nice change from the standard coyote shot...The others all have their own special qualities but the Grey Heron is my pick for the light and, well, unusual look. It looks like a miniature stateside Great Blue on stilts! Super selection as per your usual, Harsha
Best Wishes,
Steve
Thanks Steve. I am serously considering buying a kayak next year after seeing all the great photos posted here.
Glad you like the set.
Harsha
anthony whitmo wrote:
Great stuff Harsha. It's so interesting to see the variety of critters from somewhere outside the U.S. The grebe on nest, Jackal, and Herons are so interesting.
They're all great. Both in variety, color, sharpness & in your framing. Just all wonderful.
Super selection as per your usual, Harsha 
Nice viewing variety for a rainy day in NM...thanks!