Grizzled Giant Squirrel - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The Grizzled Giant Squirrel is a large tree squirrel found in Sri Lanka and India. According to the IUCN, it is a "vulnerable" species which is considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. As a result, it can be found on the IUCN's "Red List" of threatened species.

More photographs inside.

 Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

I have seen Giant Squirrels in Colombo, Anuradhapura and in the central hills of Sri Lanka. Considering it's range, I was actually quite surprised to hear that it was on the Red List. These photographs were taken in July when I came across Giant Squirrels on two occasions while in Anuradhapura.

Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

One of my cousins found a Giant Squirrel for sale in a market in Colombo a few years ago (people have them caged as pets).  She bought it and looked after it for sometime before releasing it in the garden. After it was released the squirrel was often seen in the trees around the house and would visit the kitchen for a hand out of fresh fruit on a fairly regular basis.  We were pleasantly surprised when she found a mate in the heart of the city (the male was much bigger than she was and also darker in colour). She also gave birth to a single pup which we saw on a number of occasions.

Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura) - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

The Giant Squirrel is fairly easy to see as it runs along branches feeding on fruit, leaves and the occasional insect. On the two occasions when I saw it in July, the rustling leaves gave away its location as it moved from branch to branch.

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

Cool and Unique Graffiti Design On Helm Ideas

Graffiti Design On Helm Ideas

The previous i have been share to you some graffiti on motorcyle , today i will share again graffiti design on helm. When we draw graffiti by our self, i think we used graffiti tutorial. Are you likes with graffiti ? This graffiti design ideas is very cool for your ideas. You can try made draw a graffiti on your helm , but if you want save this graffiti design, you can save it now.

Graffiti On Big Motorcycle Design Inspiration For Bikers

Graffiti Design On Big Motorcycle

A bikers ussually likes with modification their motorcycle, for you bikers who want beautify the look of your bike this post may be will give you some inspiration how to make your bike very interesting and amazing see other people. Made graffiti design on motorcycle is one solution which i think better, but to do this ideas certainly require no small cost. Are you interesting with this ideas ? You can try it in your bike today.

Crested Serpent Eagle - Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

The Serpent Eagle is one of the more common birds of prey found in Sri Lanka. Although it is found across tropical Asia, the Sri Lankan subspecies is endemic. In total, 21 subspecies of the Serpent Eagle have been identified across its range.

More photographs after the jump.

 Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

On my last trip to Sri Lanka in July, I saw the Serpent Eagle in Kandy, Arugam Bay and Wilpattu. The sighting in Wilpattu was the best in terms of photography as we were around 10 meters away from the Eagle. We came across it while driving down a road which had thick undergrowth on either side. The bird was perched on a branch that was about 10 feet off the ground and overhanging the road.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

Fortunately for us, it was not spooked by the approaching vehicle and was content to watch us as we drove up and stopped almost under the tree. I was able to photograph it while leaning out of the jeep window. We spent about 10-15 minutes with the eagle before driving off right under its perch. When we came back about half an hour later, we were surprised to see it still on the same perch.

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela spilogaster) - Wilpattu, Sri Lanka

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

Weaver Ant - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Weaver Ants are one of the most common ant species found in Sri Lanka. I came across a nest in the garden and used the macro lens to photograph them. These ants are known for their skills in building nests by weaving leaves together using larval silk. Colonies can be extremely large and sometimes consist of up to about half a million workers.

More photographs inside.

 Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Interestingly the "worker" ants fall into two categories based on physical size. The major worker ant is about 10 millimeters in length and the minor worker ant is about half that size. There is said to be a division of labour based on the type of worker ant. The Major workers forage, defend, maintain and expand nests and colonies whereas minor workers stay within the nest and tend to the young and "milk" insects within close proximity to the nest.

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

These ants are extremely territorial and can be quite aggressive when defending their territories. Although the ants do not have a functional sting, they are capable of delivering a painful bite onto which they spray formic acid resulting in intense discomfort. Some indigenous farmers in southeast Asia are known to use them as natural bio-control agents.

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

The worker ants are capable of exchanging information by means of chemical and tactile signals, particularly when foraging and defending the colony. When a forager comes across a new food source it lays down a pheromone path to help recruit other workers to the source. These trails are also laid by patrollers to recruit workers to defend the colony from intruders. Tactile communications, such as body shaking, are also used to stimulate activity in other workers.

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

Photographing the ants was not easy as I wasn't using a tripod at the time. I had to balance the camera as well as a handheld flash while trying to compose these photographs. The fact that the ants were very active at the time (defending their colony from me) didn't help matters. I used a Canon 7D and the 100mm macro lens for all the photographs on this post. The light source was a handheld Canon 530 EX II.

Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) - Colombo, Sri Lanka

6 Cool Graffiti Light Design For Ideas

Graffiti Light Design Ideas

Graffiti light will looks more beautifull when in the night, for some people see a graffiti light can give some inspiration, how about you ? When i see graffiti light , i feel that is very beautifull and amazing ideas, i can't draw graffiti light , but this graffiti light design will i save for my collection.

Tailed Jay - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

I photographed the Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) on a couple of early morning trips to the Thalangama wetland in July. I hadn't photographed this species before and was fortunate to get quite close to it. Again, the fact that these photographs were taken in the morning helped as the butterfly wasn't very active.

More photographs after the jump.

 Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka

Photographing the upper sides of the Tailed Jay wasn't easy as it perched with its wings folded. The photograph above shows the widest it spread its wings while perched during these sightings. They are strong fliers and quite active. Males are said to frequent flowers from Lantana, Ixora, Mussaenda and Poinsettia.

Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon) - Thalangama, Sri Lanka 

Graphium agamemnon can be found in India and Sri Lanka, through South East Asia and also in Northern Australia. Although Tailed Jays are active throughout the year, their abundance depends on the local monsoon season and the availability of host plants. They have a fast life-cycle and the time taken to grow from egg to adult is around one month. They can produce up to 7 - 8 broods per year.

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