Triangle Skimmer (Orthetrum triangulare triangulare)

English: Triangle Skimmer
Binomial: Orthetrum triangulare triangulare

Triangle Skimmer is a widely distributed dragonfly in many Asian countries. It is common in montane and hilly areas such as Horton national park. Above photographs were taken at Hakgala botanical gardens, which is good place to observe this dragonfly in Sri Lanka. IUCN Red List status of this dragonfly is 'Least Concern'.

Small-eared shrub frog (Pseudophilautus microtympanum)

English: Small-eared shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus microtympanum
Sinhala: කුඩා කන් පඳුරු මැඩියා[Kuda kan panduru madiya]

Is an endemics species of shrub frog restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Distribute in cloud forests where elevation above the sea level is between 1555 and 2135m. Habitat loss and agrochemicals has become the major threats for the existence of this frog. Its IUCN red list status is 'Endangered'. Horton national park and the upper parts of the Sripada peak wilderness sanctuary are the common places to observe this frog. Above photographs were taken at Sripada nature reserve in April.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Rock Balsam (Impatiens acaulis)

English: Rock Balsam
Binomial: Impatiens acaulis

Impatiens acaulis is a small sized herb found in hill country of Sri Lanka. Common in wet surfaces of rocks inside forests. Apart from Sri Lanka it can be seen in Western Ghats of India. Above photos were taken at Horton national park in December.

Impatiens cornigera

Binomial: Impatiens cornigera
English: Impatiens
Sinhala: කූඩලු[Kudalu]

Impatiens cornigera is an endemic herb found in lowland wet zone and hill country forests of Sri Lanka. Above photos were taken at Sinharaja rain forest.

Reference: Ilustrated field guid to the flowers of Sri Lanka - Volume 2

Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus himantopus)

English: Black-winged stilt
Binomial: Himantopus himantopus himantopus
Sinhala: කළුපිය ඉපල්ලෑවා[Kalupiya ipallewa]

Common bird found in fresh and brackish water bodies of Sri Lanka. More common in dry zone compared to wet zone. Most of the time this bird can be seen in shallow water searching for insects and crustaceans for the food. Above photographs were taken in June in Yala national park.

Leaf-nesting shrub frog (Pseudophilautus femoralis)

Binomial: Pseudophilautus femoralis
English: Leaf-nesting shrub frog
Sinhala: පළා පඳුරු මැඩියා[Pala panduru madiya]  

Pseudophilautus femoralis is an endemic species of frog restricted to the cloud forests of central highlands of Sri Lanka. Common places to observe this frog is Horton national park and "Sri Pada" Peak Wilderness sanctuary. Above photographs were taken at Sripada where elevation above the sea level is about 1950m. They lay eggs underside of the leaves. Directly froglets are emerged from the eggs without having a visible tadpole stage.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi