Sunday, May 31, 2015

Michelia nilagirica


Binomial Name: Michelia nilagirica
Sinhala: වන සපු/වල් සපු[Walsapu/Wana sapu]

Michelia nilagirica is a tree found in highland forests of Sri Lanka and Western Ghats mountain range of India.Variety walkeri is endemic to Sri Lanka. It has white or cream colored flowers. Above photographs were taken at close to Hakgala Strict Nature reserve in April.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Schmarda's shrub frog (Pseudophilautus schmarda)


English: Schmarda's shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus schmarda
Sinhala: ගොරහැඩි පඳුරු මැඩියා[Gorahadi panduru madiya]

Schmarda's shrub frog is an endemic frog found in Sri Lanka. Population of this frog has been distributed in central highlands. Common places to find this frog are Peak Wilderness Sanctuary and Horton National park. IUCN Red List status is 'Endangered'.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Eria articulata

Binomial Name: Eria articulata/Eria articulatum

E. articulata is a wild orchid found in wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is rare and endemic. IUCN red list status is 'Endangered'

Monday, May 18, 2015

Malabar trogon (Harpactes fasciatus)

Male
English: Malabar trogon
Binomial: Harpactes fasciatus
Sinhala: ලෝහවන්නිච්චා[Lohawannichcha]

Malabar trogon is a brightly colored bird fond in dense forest of Sri Lanka and India. Male can be identified easily by red colored underparts. Underparts of the females are not bright and orange in color. More common in wet zone. Sinharaja forest reserve is a popular place to observe this bird. They feed on insects. Forest fragmentation is the major threat for the bird.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Velvet-fronted nuthatch (Sitta frontalis)


English: Velvet-fronted nuthatch
Binomial: Sitta frontalis
Sinhala: විල්ලුද නළල් යටිකුරිත්තා[Willuda nalal yatikuriththa]

Sitta frontalis is a passerine bird found in some Asian countries including Sri Lanka. It feeds on insects and some other small creatures on stems of trees by climbing up and down while keeping the head down. Above bird was photographed in April at Hakgala Botanical Garden.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Liparis elliptica

Binomial Name: Liparis elliptica

Liparis elliptica is a globally distributed species of wild orchid. Above photographs were taken in December in the highlands of Sri Lanka.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Asanka's shrub frog (Pseudophilautus asankai)


English: Asanka's shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus asankai
Sinhala: අසංකගේ පඳුරු මැඩියා[Asankage panduru madiya]

Asanka's shrub frog is an endemic shrub frog found in Sri Lanka. It's population has been restricted to the central highland where the elevation above the sea level is between 810 - 1830m. Body color varies in a vast range including light green, ash, light blue or brown ect. Agrochemicals and habitat loss has become a major threat for this frog. IUCN Red List status is 'Endangered'.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Dancing Dropwing (Trithemis pallidinervis)

Female

English: Dancing Dropwing/Long Legged Marsh Glidder
Binomial: Trithemis pallidinervis

Dancing Dropwing is a dragonfly fond in both wet zone and dry zone of Sri Lanka. Apart from Sri Lanka it has been recorded from many other Asian countries. IUCN Red List status of this dragonfly is 'Least Concern'.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Little orange tip (Colotis etrida)


English: Little orange tip
Binomial: Colotis etrida
Little orange tip is a butterfly found in India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka it can be seen mostly in arid zones. Sub species found in Sri Lanka is Colotis etrida limbata. Above photograph was taken in Puttalam district.

Friday, May 1, 2015

Cyathea sinuata


Binomial Name: Cyathea sinuata

An endemic rare tree fern found in low land wet zone of Sri Lanka. It can be seen in some areas of Sinharaja and Kanneliya. It is considered to be the only species of Cyathea that has simple leaves which has not been pinnated or lobed. This tree ferns is one of the smallest tree ferns found in Sri Lanka.