The sad fate that befalls most Sri Lanka Trees

The other day, I showed you Sri Pada (or Adam’s Peak) from a distance – as it can be seen from Colombo on clear days. This shot was taken at Great Western from where you can catch a glimpse of the holy mountain on a daily basis.

This photo was shot in 2006 and first appeared in my now defunct ‘Sri Lanka is Happening’ blog. It was from the same place the the government stole the Colombo Fort photo.

That is a Great Tit peeking out of that flange. The flange and the GI pipe seen here are part of the swing on the lawn of the great western bungalow. The swing might have been made many years ago from decommissioned hot water or steam pipes from the tea factory. One wonders how many kids would have enjoyed riding on it, my kids just love it. Not just kids, the swing is strong enough to support the weight of adults too. Occasionally a bird like the one pictured here decides to make a nest inside the hollow tube. This photo was captured during our previous visit in May. On our most recent visit the bird was missing. Either it had given up on the nest (probably gets too hot during warm weather) or the eggs had hatched and the young had flown away

Wish it was my front garden but it isn’t.

It’s a long way down.

Is it Wesak or Vesak? I am never really sure.

Brown Headed Barbets haven made two appearances already on these pages. Now it’s time for a Yellow Fronted Barbet enter the stage. The Brown head’s scientific name is Megalaima zeylanica , Zeylanica is a word that sounds like Zeylan the old portugese name for Ceylon which later because Sri Lanka. However the brown head is spread over much of Asia. It is the Yellow Fronted Barbet that is endemic.

An Indian Scimitar Babbler.

A pair of Red Vented Bulbuls catching forty winks in the morning sun.

Though this Egret was spotted near by a lake at Great Western, they usually prefer warmer climes