Nature and Others on camera by Asiri: June 2011

Thursday, June 23, 2011

THE WONDROUS SIGIRIYA

Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa (AD 477 – 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.

These pictures were taken by me when I climbed the rock with my cousins in January 2010.

The surrounding area

King's entertainment lounge

The staircase made on the rock

Old and the new

DANCING AWAY......

This Peacock in Wilapattu National park started dancing showing off all the glamor and beauty and succeeded in attracting a peahen but could not hold her attention for long.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

BUNDALA BIRD SANCTUARY(SRI LANKA)-A HAVEN FOR BIRDS

I have visited Bundala Bird Sanctuary many times which is a haven specially for many waders and migrant birds who migrate from late October and leave in March-April.The sanctuary which constitute of Salt lagoons, Marshy Land and sand dunes make it an awesome place to visit.
In 1991 Bundala became the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka. In 2005 the national park was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the fourth biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka. The national park is situated 245 kilometres (152 mi) southeast of Colombo.

Entrance

Observation area

Pied CUCKOO

Cactus has become a menace in Bundala

A common scene

One of the main paths

Red Necked Phalarope

Sanderling

Green Redshank

Curlew Sandpiper and ruddy turnstone

Kentish Plover

Oriental Skylark

Marsh Sandpiper

meeting the sea

Small Pranticole

Salt getting foamed

Home to many Terns

Wood Sandpiper

Grey headed Fish Eagle

Flying with a snake

Ringed Plover

Eurasian Thiknee

One of many Causeways

Eurasian Curlew

Surrounded by Sand Dunes

Crested Hawk Eagle Showing off

Picturesque Beach

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

HISTORICAL MARVELS OF SRI LANKA

I have visited the ruins of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa many a times during the past couple of years but the truth is that you tend to go again and again due to the sheer fact that the construction and sculpture is at the highest level and considering the fact that these have been done thousands of years ago, you feel proud of the rich history our foe fathers have left behind .