Canoeing In Pradise....

I had one heck of a great time canoeing and birding along Bolgoda lake in Panadura with my cousin brother and two other friends in 26th last month.  This lake is a very significant wetland habitat. It could be reached with in a few minutes from my old place in Panadura, and I grew up loving it. Try this link to learn a little about this wonderful echo system.  

We saw  a few Paddyfield Pipits/ Anthus rufulus  on the ground just a few feet before the water's edge.








                                                                                                                                                                              The banks of the lake was full of aquatic plants  in bloom. 

Among these plants we spotted a Little Grebe /Tachybaptus ruficollis  with two ducklings.  I managed ti make a short video footage of the happy family too.

There were many Purple Swamphens/ Porphyrio porphyrio too, but it was too difficult to approach them for a decent photo.

Below are the kind of plant life and beautiful views I photographed. Don't forget to check the video too!
















Posted for Scenic Sunday.

Nymphea stellata......Floral Friday Meme#3

The plant that bares this beautiful flower, Nymphea stellata  is confused by many with Nymphaea nouchali, the national flower of Sri Lanka. This is a common plant in most of lowland Sri Lanka, in rivers, tanks,paddy fields,and swamps.

Fragrant Water Lily?

Identifying specimens can be pretty hectic some times. It was really so when I tried to determine the identity of this aquatic plant which is very common in Sri Lanka. The same plant was describe by some as Fragrant Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) and White Lotus  (Nymphaea lotus) by others online! Any way I believe this to be Fragrant Water Lily, and if it is, it must probably have been introduced during the colonial times.