![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrRL-wUjosepWWLA2Ig9CmweVXDO2xRJVJtNoODqBJWpzsaOVkkVBURE-EvEgVoS47u-ZUL4ps-XBoteFlBDfwWtWHe359Rlkyg7Z4k-8MwWOeXxV3D1-VxhPnu8EZEpxRG7n6YBVIG8x/s1600/IMG_4827.jpg) |
Male elephant approaches the jeep |
Before saying farewell to the hills, we stopped at the Ravana waterfall, tumbling down from the cooler world above. Then we drove to the rock statues of Buduruvagala - a cliff-high Buddha of unknown age, with bodhisattvas and goddesses in tow, hidden in a glade in the forest. It was a serene spot, "but don't come here at night," our guide warned. "People get killed by wild elephants."
We were very keen to see these beasts but not so keen on a trampling, so we headed to Uda Walawa National Park for an afternoon safari. In three hours we saw twenty-nine elephants, two types of monkey, buffalo, a crocodile, fish eagles, crested hawk eagles, peacocks, green bee-eaters, painted storks, spoonbills, a pied kingfisher, and various other bird life. Alas, I'm a few years late with the bird list, but Will Vittery you'd better be reading!
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Buduruvagala |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MQVnfCAYje3saBk5bTHi6bReOfdAdnQp_u2cegx7imJyvJe09y6W1wTB-Av3b_QxtM0l2navtEDumGn-_6HA0QEVIO7IUfrUMkWQhB33Vm2SIyOhz12mjUc7sWoQHrb1fs9bxMjcj9vC/s1600/IMG_4711.jpg) |
Chameleon |
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Another lone male in Uda Walawa. 4 months of drought hast left much tasty grass! |
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Crested hawk eagle at Uda Walawa |
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Spoonbill and unknown bird (Will Vittery plea identify) dance around one another. |
Think the unidentified bird is a Black-winged Stilt (say what you see!). Great picture of the eagle!
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