Buduruwagala - Sri Lanka

Rock Carving of Maithri Bodhisathva - Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka

Buduruwagala was one of several stops I made on my way to Arugam Bay in July. The area is known for an archeological site located in the middle of the jungle relatively close to the town. The main features of the site are the seven figures that have been carved into the side of a large rock. The rock itself is said to look like an elephant kneeling down with its trunk in its mouth. Buduruwagala loosly translates to "Stone images of the Buddha".

More photographs inside.

 Rock Carvings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva - Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka

The centre carving is a standing Buddha statue which measures 51 feet. This is the tallest standing Buddha statue in Sri Lanka and perhaps the world (since the Bamiyan statues were destroyed). The statue is complete above the waist but the bottom section is still rough. This may indicate that this statue was actually a model.

The Buddha Statue - Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka

The main figure in the group to the right of the Buddha statue is Avalokitesvara Bodhisatva. This figure has retained a substantial amount of its white finish and traces of orange around the head. The main statue too has traces of white robes. The centre of the crown of the Avalokitesvara statue is a figure of the Buddha in meditation. The figure to the left of the Avalokiteswara has been identified as Tara Devi and the figure to the right is said to be Prince Sudhana.

Rock Carvings of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva - Buduruwagala, Sri Lanka

The centre figure on the group to the left of the Buddha statue is the Maithri Bodhisatva , the fifth Buddha for this aeon (first photograph). The details of the crown, ornaments and the robe can be clearly seen. The statues on either side of the Maithri Buddha have not been identified.

The statues at Buduruwagala - Sri Lanka

We made it to Buduruwagala at around midday and the light was terrible for photography. We had a long drive and there was no way we could have made it any earlier. Since we were driving on to Arugam Bay on the same day, we were not able to stay overnight in the area. I've converted some of these photographs to black and white images as I felt they brought out the textures a bit more.

All photograps on this post were taken with the 24-105mm lens and the Canon 7D.

Common Sailor - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

The wetlands in Thalangama are best known for the bird life around the marshes but they are also home to a large number of butterflies. I have seen and photographed the Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) at Thalangama on numerous occasions but, for some reason, never got around to posting them on the blog.

More photographs inside.

Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

The Common Sailor is found throughout India, Sri Lanka and Burma. Its range is said to extend to Indomalaya as well. It has a wet and dry season form which only differs in the narrowness of the white markings on the wings. This species has been observed making sounds by clicking its foremost pair of legs. However, the reason for this behaviour has not been identified.

Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

I did find photographing this species relatively easy as they let me get quite close to them. Most of my trips to Thalangama are early in the morning so this may have helped. The Common sailor is known for settling on damp patches, a behaviour I witnessed in Kandy (photograph below).

Common Sailor (Neptis hylas) - Kandy, Sri Lanka

All photographs on this post were taken with the Canon 7D and the 100-400mm lens. I didn't have to use flashes to light the images as the ambient light was sufficient. I did have to bump up the ISO to 400 though.

Graffiti Alphabet And Dog Design on Wall for Ideas

Graffiti Alphabet and Dog Design Ideas

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Coppersmith Barbet - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The Coppersmith Barbet - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Of the resident Barbets of Sri Lanka, I have found the Coppersmith, or Crimson-breasted Barbet (Megalaima haemacephala), the hardest to photograph. I had seen the bird before but it had always been from a distance. Those sightings were not the best for photographing the Barbet as it is quite small.

The Coppersmith Barbet - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

My luck changed in July when I found a nest just outside the house in Anuradhapura. I was able to photograph the parents on a fairly regular basis from the verandah, as they flew in to feed the chicks. Each time they flew in with food, they appeared to clean up the nest and fly away with the rubbish.

The Coppersmith Barbet - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

According to GM Henry (Birds of Ceylon, 1954), the Coppersmith is found in the dry zone of sri Lanka and "does not penetrate far into the districts which receive the south west monsoon". However, they are not endemic and can be found in South and Southeast Asia. When compared to the other Barbets found in Sri Lanka, it is most similar to the Ceylon small Barbet. However, the Coppersmiths large red breast patch, pale yellow face and dusky green colouration help differentiate the two species.

The Coppersmith Barbet - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

These photographs were taken with a Canon 7D and the Canon 100-400mm lens. Conditions were not the best as the bird was in the shade and the sky in the background was blown out. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to improve on these shots soon.

Macro Hydrangeas

Blue Hydrangeas

I'm pretty new to macro photography and I've got a fair bit to learn. The Hydrangeas are in bloom and  since they make good macro subjects, I took the opportunity to practice a little. The hardest part of taking these photographs was the lighting.

More photographs inside.

 Pink Hydrangeas

In order to achieve a greater depth of field, relatively small apertures are used in macro photography. The photographs on this post were shot at around the f14 mark. Because of the small apertures, artificial lighting and a tripod are pretty much essential.

Blue Hydrangeas

I used a Canon 430 EX II to light these images. The flash was handheld and triggered via the 7D's flash trigger system. I think I fired the flash at around 1/8th power. I'm still not too happy with the dark areas on the image and I will probably look at using a second flash to light up those spaces. However, I do think the shadows give the photograph a bit more depth and I'd have to figure out how preserve them.

Pink Hydrangeas

I used the Canon 100mm macro lens and the 7D for these photographs.

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Easy Graffiti Art Design

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Ceylon Small Barbet - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Ceylon Small Barbet - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

I have photographed the Ceylon Small Barbet (Megalaima rubricapilla), also called the Crimson-fronted Barbet, on several occasions. I have found them in the garden at home in Colombo and they are abundant at our place in Kandy. However, on these occasions the birds were some distance away.

More photographs inside.

 Ceylon Small Barbet - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

My luck changed on one of several visits to Thalangama in July. While I was walking along the bank of the tank I noticed a Black-rumped Flameback in one of the trees by the road. I stopped and photographed it for a few minutes and then noticed that a Golden Oriole had settled in the same tree. I was in the middle of photographing the Oriole when a Ceylon Small Barbet flew down onto one of the lower branches of the same tree.

Ceylon Small Barbet - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

I fired off about 15 or 20 frames and then stopped to watch the bird as I had not seen it in such close proximity before. My presence didn't seem to disturb it as it soon started moving along the branch pecking at the bark and foraging for insects.  It gradually worked its way up into the canopy and disappeared. Due to the colour of its plumage, it is not the easiest bird to find in the canopy.

Ceylon Small Barbet - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

These photographs were taken with the Canon 7D and the 100-400mm lens.The light wasn't the best and I bumped up the ISO to compensate.

Variegated Flutterer - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Variegated Flutterer (male) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

The Variegated Fluterer (Rhyothemis variegata variegata) was one of several dragonflies I photographed while in Sri Lanka. They are relatively common and since they are found around ponds, paddy fields and tanks, Thalangama is an ideal location to photograph them. It is also known as the Common Picture Wing.

More photographs after the jump.

Variegated Flutterer (female) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

In terms of appearance, the female is slightly different when compared to the male Variegated Flutterer. The tip of the females wings are clear where as the tips of the male's wings are black in colour (see first and third images on this post).

Variegated Flutterer (male) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

The Variegated Flutterer is a relatively small dragon fly with an abdomen measuring 20-25mm and a wingspan of 34-37mm. It is easily identifiable because of the variegated blackish-brown and golden yellow patterns on the wings.

Variegated Flutterer (male) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

All photographs on this post were taken with the Canon 100-400mm lens and the Canon 7D.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Thanthirimale is a small village which lies in thick jungle approximately 40 km away from Anuradhapura. The temple in Thanthirimale is both religiously and historically significant and still attracts thousands of pilgrims during Poson. The history of Thanthirimale is said to date back to the 6th Century BC.

More photographs inside.

 Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

References to Thanthirimale can be found in the Mahavamsa in the sections that describe the Bo (Ficus religiosa) sapling being brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The Bo tree in the temple is said to be a sapling from the sacred Bo tree in Mahamewuna Uyana.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

There are five ancient Buddha statues, four of which are incomplete (6th image on the post), on the temple premises. The largest of these is the sleeping Buddha (photograph above) which has been carved out of the rock. Surprisingly, the proportions of the statue seemed to be incorrect as the legs look short when compared with the size of the upper body. This is the first time that I'd actually seen an ancient statue that was out of proportion.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The remains of an ancient library have been found on the premises. A number of rock huts and caves, which have most probably been used for meditation by monks for centuries, have also been discovered on the site.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

In 1909 archeological evidence was found in a cave close to the temple which suggests that a prehistoric civilization existed in this area. The evidence included fragments of cherts, a piece of crystal and drawings, which are still visible, on the walls of a cave.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

To top off the day we witnessed a stunning sunset on the drive back.

All photographs on this post were taken with the Canon 7D and the 24-105mm lens.

Thanthirimale - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Brown Falcon - Sandy Hollow, Australia

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) - Sandy Hollow

We were up at a friends farm in the Hunter region of New South Wales on our annual visit over the October long weekend when I came across a pair of Brown Falcons. The area is full of raptors as there is an abundance of prey on the farms. On our previous trips I had photographed Black Shouldered Kites, Kestrels and Wedge Tailed Eagles but had not seen any falcons.

More Photographs Inside.

 Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) - Sandy Hollow

The raptors were perched on some machinery in a field by the side of the road when I passed them. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera with me so had to make a mad dash to the house and back. I was able to pull up and fire off a few frames before one of them decided to fly off. The first shot o this post was taken as soon as the bird took off.

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) - Sandy Hollow

I initially thought the bird was an Eagle due to its size. It seemed substantially bigger than the Kestrel but this maybe due to proximity. I would have liked to get a few flight shots but it was nearly impossible for me to lock focus on them and the light wasn't great because it was close to midday. 

Brown Falcon (Falco berigora) - Sandy Hollow

The Brown Falcon is said to be one of the more common raptors found on mainland Australia. Apparently it is often seen on perches close to open roads which offer clear views of the surrounding area. Something to keep an eye out for in future.

These photographs were taken with a Canon 7D and the 100-400mm lens.

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

The Purple Coot, also know as the Purple Swamphen, is a common bird found in the lowland marshes of Sri Lanka. The subspecies found in Sri Lanka, Porphyrio porphyrio poliocephalus, is one of up to 13 subspecies identified through Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The thirteen subspecies mainly differ in the colour of their plumage.

More photographs after the jump.

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Purple Coots are easy to identify because of their bright plumage and loud call. It is said to be able to fly long distances and for a bird without webbed feet, it is a good swimmer. They are seasonal breeders but the seasons vary across their range. The season correlates to the peak rainfall or summer temperatures in more temperate climates.

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Multiple females may lay eggs in the same nest, which is built amongst reeds or other debris, and share incubation duties. Incubation lasts from 23-27 days and is performed by both males and females. "Helpers" are also known to assist with the incubation. After hatching, chicks are fed for a period of 10-15 days, after which they fend for themselves.

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka 

Although the species is considered to be in the "least concern" category according to the IUCN, some subspecies have declined. This includes the subspecies found in the Mediterranean. An introduced population exists in Florida but biologists are trying to eradicate them.

Purple Coot - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

These photographs were taken with the Canon 7D and the 100-400mm lens combo during several early morning visits to Thalangama.