Vivid Colors

I first spotted this beautiful critter on  a Ervatamia divaricata (Linn)  in my garden one day, and it had shifted to a Thibbatu ?Solanum violaceum Ortega next to it. After that it was nowhere to be seen, probably fell pray to a bird. Could any of you guys tell me which butterfly this caterpillar belongs to?   

 

A Few Days of Sun Has Brought Many Critters To The Open

Image by roosterfeather via FlickrThe topic of this post is different from what I said it would be on my last post,but the originally intended content is included,plus some more.Apparently the consistent downpour that caused so many trouble is over,and the last few days has been warm,humid and sunny. I've observed and photographed a variety of creatures during this time,and here they are.This Lesser Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna javanica) was the recent for the originally intended post title, Quack Quack!   I didn't know of these till I saw this post by my blogger friend Amila.  I was on the look for this one ever since, till I finally saw this one floating in  small tank at a village a little off from Kurunegala. 

Image by roosterfeather via FlickrA small flock of  Scaly-breasted Munia, Lonchura punctulata were near a paddy filed yesterday,eating the seeds of some tall grass. I couldn't focus on their face though,I'd try my luck again.  




 



Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) are nesting, and I see some incubating and building nests at my workplace. I tried to capture one carrying a twig in the beak, but failed. But I got this shot.  










Red-wattled Lapwings (Vanellus indicus) are clearly enjoying the sunny weather too.










Ever-present Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is seen in both small flocks as well as individuals pecking parasites off grazing cows and buffaloes.  



































Image by roosterfeather via Flickr








I photographed this Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) today as I walked home after work. They seem to prefer being in water.







Image by roosterfeather via Flickr

Last Sunday morning allowed me to capture this Indian Pond Heron or (Ardeola grayii).













Image by roosterfeather via Flickr This Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis), like the Spotted Dove, is from within my working place premises.







                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Butterflies  have been plentiful around here too. This one is a Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon).


                                                  

Common Grass Yellow butterflies have found my Sesbania grandiflora plant,there are a few caterpillars and a pupa already.


















Dragonflies and damsels have also appeared in considerable numbers, with notably many juveniles. This Pink Skimmer(Orthetrum  pruinosum) is from my garden.  












I saw this marsh dancer on a plant in a foot path leading to a paddy field.


Allow me to finish this post with this water strider from my garden pond. Could you guys tell me the binomial name? I've got some more photos, but it's 1.40 a.m. and I can't go on. Stay put, take care! 

                                                                                                                           

Creepy Night Visitor!

Bush Rat?

Greetings for a very happy new year every one! This photo, like two others, was taken and given to me by my friend Shan. I uploaded the photo here for an identification, and here's what Prasantha  there says ".......Probably juvenile of Galunda elioti [E: Bush rat; S: Panduru-miya]
If you can provide me its measurements and front view of the incisor, I can seek expert advice..."  But alas, since I didn't see the critter my self, there's no telling the size and other details. Does any of you guys know this creature?  

The Moth In A Combat Uniform!

            I have had to part with my camera for a while, and not been able to make a post to this blog so. During this time I had close encounters with few very interesting butterflies that I have never photographed before ans also observed a Small Civet(Viverricula indica) for the first time in my very neighborhood. This really unusual looking moth was spotted by one of my workmates  at our hospital today. When he showed it to me a bell ranged in my head. Another specimen of the same weird bug was observed at a hospital in the southern part of the island and a photo was published on a local news paper a week two ago, but no identification of the critter was given in that article. I just burrowed a cellphone from another friend to take this photo, so quality is obviously poor.

Image by roosterfeather via Flickr

Peculier Luminous- Green Bugs

There were three of these shiny green bugs on a Manioc plant near my house this afternoon, a copulating couple and another probable male playing the bad guy trying to push the lover off the female bug's body. I don't recall ever seeing these critters before. They were on an impossible spot for a still, so I opted for a video. It's a pity that my camera is not the kind of toy to video them hovering. They do buzz around like bees, that's quite a site. I need some one's help to identify these too.   

Grasshopper

Insects are the most varied critters of the world, and Sri Lanka is no different. Grasshoppers are my favorite insects next to butterflies and dragonflies, mostly due to the bright colors they boast. This is one of the many types of grasshoppers I see in my own garden.

One Weird Looking Insect

Saw this insect at one my friends garden last Sunday. I'll get back to this if could pin down an identification on this bug.

A Crabby Encounter On The Way Home

If the weather is favorable, I walk home after work. I see many interesting critters as I move along passing the canal I've talked about, paddy fields, home gardens, and shrubs and  invasive  Pennisetum polystachyon growth on the road sides. It's on such a day that I saw these crabs in a rain-filled puddle near a paddy field. There were about ten, grabbing at the algae slime on the plants that were underwater or in contact with the water, with their pincers. I'm still trying to identify these as well as the one I saw at Thelagamu Oya River.

A Crab That I Saw At Thelagamu Oya

This is the only critter I had a chance to observe in our recent trip to Knuckles.  Could any of you help me to identify this one?