Starting from when I was six years old – I am ten now - I have been to Wilpattu Safari Camp lots of times. I love the wildlife in the park, but the camp is also a fantastic place to observe nature and take pictures. It is home to many birds and other animals. In fact, I always tell my mum and dad that I need to skip the Park safari at least one day so I can walk around the Camp and take pictures.
I have gone to online school here. I have had a birthday party here. I have spent time with my mum and dad and my friends here. It is a very nice place to relax, play, eat and watch nature. When I was with my friends for my birthday party, we had a great time playing and exploring all around the Camp. It is a perfect place for kids to see nature and to think about conservation.
I know I will be back again soon! I hope you enjoy the pictures. I took them all in and just around the Camp.
Sri Lankan Peacock striking a pose
Sri Lankan Peacock & Peahen on the dining room roof
Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl (endemic) - our national bird
Sri Lankan Jungle Fowl juveniles (male & female). There are lots of Jungle Fowl in the Camp, showing that breeding is happening here.
Indian Black Robin (male)
Indian Black Robin (female) collecting nest materials
Small Minivet (male) - a splash of color
Pale-billed Flowerpecker
Purple-rumped Sunbird on Uncle Darrel's car mirror!
Orange-breasted Green-pigeon (female) on a tree at the entrance to the Camp
Brown-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (uncommon resident).The Camp has many Woodpeckers. I've seen three of them more than once.
Black-rumped Flameback (uncommon resident)
White-naped Flameback (scarce resident & vulnerable on the IUCN Red List)
Greater Coucal
This Tailor Bird was building a nest just by the dining room
Brown Shrike (migrant)
Coppersmith Barbet. This pretty little bird is often seen around the Camp.
Oriental White-eye
Blue-tailed Bee-eater (migrant)
Little Green Bee-eater
A Stork-billed Kingfisher (uncommon resident) having lunch just outside the camp
A misty shot of the Malabar Pied Hornbill. There are two in this picture. Can you spot them both?
A Baya Weavers' nest just outside the Camp. Baya Weavers can tie knots and build complicated, beautiful nests.
Green Imperial-pigeon
Black-hooded Oriole & White-bellied Drongo facing off!
A Grey-headed Fish-eagle by the bund next to the Camp
Crested Serpent-eagle eating a snake by the paddy field next to the Camp
The bird bath in the Camp attracts lots of birds. Here is a flock of White-rumped Munia having a bath on a hot afternoon, later joined by a Spotted Dove.
Tricolored Munia at the entrance to the Camp
Asian Paradise Flycatcher- a very beautiful sight
These Dark-fronted Babblers hang out in shady, dark areas. I was very lucky to see many of them in the Camp.
Tawny-bellied Babbler (uncommon resident)
The gorgeous Indian Pita visits the Camp during the migratory season. I've tried so many times to spot it and finally got the shot!
Sri Lanka Woodshrike (endemic)
The Blue-faced Malkoha (uncommon resident) is a difficult bird to photograph because it doesn't stay around for very long. Spotting and photographing this bird was a dream come true!
Common Iora
A White-browed Bulbul enjoying a snack
A Ceylon Spotted Deer just outside the Camp
An adorable Grizzled Giant Squirrel -it kept looking at me curiously as I photographed it.
Land Monitors are pretty common in Wilpattu. Although they are often seen on the ground, they are very good at climbing trees.
Green Garden Lizard
Snakes - not my mum's favorite! This one is a Bronze-back Tree-snake.
Buff-striped Keelback
When the rains come many crabs come out all over the Camp. This one is an endemic Maroon and Gold Paddy Field Crab.
Crimson Rose mating
Lime Butterfly
Peacock Pansy
White Four-ring
Blue Mormon
Lemon Emigrant
Crimson Dropwing (male)
Birthday fun with yummy marshmallows around the campfire!
One of my BEST birthdays ever!
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