Wed 21 May 2008
Kandalama for Kids 2: Of nests and birds.
On our last day at Kandalama Tank area, we started out early in the morning to meet with Mr. Piyasena, bird guide and Kandalama's resident naturalist for the day. Mr. Piyasena is a 79-year old avid bird watcher who used to be a farmer. I consider him a very competent expert in this hobby having more than 50 years of bird study up his sleeve. He came with around 5 binoculars dangling from his neck, a bird list and a ranger's hat. We brought 2 cameras, notepads and pens, hats, and our only pair of binoculars so the extra ones were a quick welcome. The air was still deliciously cool and crisp yet a sleepy humid breeze set in by mid morning. We hurried up to avoid the bearing hot sun.
Before our trip to this place, I had printed out copies of the nature scavenger hunt list on page 20 of Jeannie Fulbright's book Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day. These they kept in their notepads. Oh, we actually had some good finds! In fact, we also found other creatures and plants not on the list. So here are the treasures we uncovered..
1. We found 4 kinds of nests.
This is a nest of a Red-vented Bulbul. The bird decided to build it's nest in a back of a wrought iron bench on the lobby. The staff decided to put a sign so that the guests will not disturb it. We were allowed to take a photo only after the mother went off to look for food. Below is a close up of the nest. You can see the red-flecked eggs inside.
Another nest we have found is of a Pale-billed Flower Pecker. When we found this nest, 2 chicks jumped out and hid. We were as startled as they were and enormously guilty for intruding. We hate to think that they might not return. Mr. Piyasena assured us however that they will be back once the coast is clear. 
Here is a bird's nest clinging to some branches which looks like just some clump of old dry twigs and branches. We did not see the resident, the thorns and bushes were too thick for us to get near to it. Thanks for the new zoom lens!
We all agreed that the best find of the day is a big swift tail's colony. Of the 4 swift tail's colony on the area, this one is the biggest and most established. We found it under the ground floor. Since the building stands on rocky side of a mountain, part of the ground floor is supported by sturdy concrete posts. This nest clung secure on the ceiling of one of the posts. 
2. Birds on the area. We saw 24 bird species! Most are so elusive we were not quick to capture on lens. But we have the bird list and identified them all.
A Black Hooded Oriole was one of the early birds to sing a welcome when we hit the bush.
This is not a clear photo of a Blue-faced Malkoha but it is there alright. If you can see the tail with white markings, then you can definitely see it. Part of the body was concealed behind the tree. 
The White Rumped Shama - Mr Piyasena said we were "lucky" today. This bird is rarely seen in this vicinity. It took me awhile before i was able to take a shot... hmmm, still not good but this would do. 
Here is an Indian Robin, a close relative of the Magpie Robin which is quite common in Colombo.
Same bird from a clearer angle.
Well, it wasn't easy spying and attempting to catch these magnificent creatures on camera.
So I hope this chart would do. Do you see the checks on the birds we spotted this morning? It was a delightful experience. We were so famished after, yet breakfast had to wait...actually, brunch.
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Mon 19 May 2008
An elephant named Ran Manika
This is Gentle Zephyr on Ran Manika. He decided to be a mahout for awhile. Ran Manika didn't seem to care, he just let out a soft grunt and trod on. He looked like he even enjoyed having us. But I felt he was already tired. How many guests did he accommodate today? We wouldn't want to know. But I hope we were the last. Perhaps you might want to take a guess.
This is Ran Manika from a perched bird's view. It could have been easier for him if we were birds. Yet, straight and strong, he still trod on, not minding the weight on his shoulders and back.
This is Ran Manika. Twenty six years old. 9 3/4 feet high with mahout Sunil. And us, a load. Our first to ride an Elephas Maximus Maximus. Probably, would be the last. Just to start off of an upcoming unit study of elephants over the summer. Hmmm, it was not so great an idea to ride him as big creatures domesticated like him have surely been through tough times. We were also quite aware of the dangers. It went quite well though and we appreciate his kind more after that.
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Sat 12 Apr 2008
Birdwatch: The Sea Eagle
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa. 40:31)
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)
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Tue 11 Dec 2007
Spectacular Singapore Zoo
A lot of accolades have lavishly showered this zoo and all has sufficed. To us, the Singapore Zoo is definitely the most awesome zoo we have visited. We didn't feel one bit sorry for these animals... a too common feeling my kids and I get and usually share when we visit other zoos. Vibrant Bea came to a point when she didn't want to see any zoo, a reason why we have been postponing the many times we visited Singapore. My husband persisted in convincing her that this, she would surely enjoy.
True! Here in Singapore Zoo, the story is a lot different...I mean,a whole lot.. Well, we were a bit spent after the whole day's walk although we have replenished energy and esteem in a jungle cafe. We avoided a ride on the tram (and save afew dollars for that =) ). Of course, we didn't want to miss any exhibit and show so it is really worth all the walking, sun and humidity =) . But the animals are all living in contentment , basking in it literally, in spite of the "containment", because of the zoo's unique design, ample space with natural barriers.
We SURELY, UTTERLY, DEFINITELY wish to come again. |
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Wed 14 Feb 2007
The Salak, Snake fruit of Thailand
Salacca zalacca, syn. S. edulis, Calamus zalacca We brought home a bundle of salak or snake fruit from Chiang Mai which I enjoyed so much. Well, the children for the first part liked it and ate a few but they are not so much for soury fruit so the novelty wore off after a while leaving me to enjoy this remaining bunch. The Principal isn't too fond of it either. Yay!I am feasting on it but decided to take a photo before I consume it all.
This fruit reminds me of the rattan fruit which is VERY sour. The Philippine rattan fruit has a lighter brown scaly cover and is quite abundant in Baguio city, up north of Manila. It is roundish and smaller in size. Salak has a red-orange scaly peel which reminds me of a snake. It is smooth and quite leathery to touch, if they could just find out how to preserve the color and texture this will be a good material for bags! Fancy that. Anyway, intrigued as I am for it was my first time to see and taste this fruit, here is a brief description from Wikipedia, which the kids looked up online. The fruit grows in clusters at the base of the palm, which is known as snake fruit due to the reddish-brown scaly skin. They are about the size and shape of a ripe fig, usually round with a distinct tip, with an edible pulp; to peel, pinch the tip of the fruit and pull away. The fruit inside consists of three lobes, each lobe containing a large inedible seed. The lobes look and have the consistency of peeled garlic cloves. The taste is usually sweet and acidic, but its apple-like texture can vary from very dry and crumbly (salak pondoh from Yogyakarta) to moist and crunchy (salak Bali). (Wikipedia) |
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