Aladdin's adventure Yala National Park


Aladdin's adventure Yala National Park

Yala National Park

is the most visited and second largest national park in Sri Lanka. The park consists of five blocks, two of which are now open to the public, and also adjoining parks. The blocks have individual names such as, Ruhuna National Park (block 1) and Kumana National Park or 'Yala East' for the adjoining area. It is situated in the southeast region of the country, and lies in Southern Province and Uva Province. The park covers 979 square kilometres (378 sq mi) and is located about 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Colombo. Yala was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1900, and, along with Wilpattu was one of the first two national parks in Sri Lanka, having been designated in 1938. The park is best known for its variety of wild animals. It is important for the conservation of Sri Lankan elephants, Sri Lankan leopards and aquatic birds.

Aladdin's adventure Yala National Park

There are six national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries in the vicinity of Yala. Among the largest is Lunugamvehera National Park. The park is situated in the dry semi-arid climatic region and rain is received mainly during the northeast monsoon. Yala hosts a variety of ecosystems ranging from moist monsoon forests to freshwater and marine wetlands. It is one of the 70 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Sri Lanka. Yala harbours 215 bird species including six endemic species of Sri Lanka. The number of mammals that has been recorded from the park is 44, and it has one of the highest leopard densities in the world.

The area around Yala has hosted several ancient civilizations. Two important pilgrim sites, Sithulpahuwa and Magul Vihara, are situated within the park. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused severe damage on the Yala National Park and 250 people died in its vicinity. The number of visitors has been on the rise since 2009, after the security situation in the park improved.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aladdin's adventure Yala National Park
Full size map, click HERE


Aladdin's adventure Yala National Park
Tuesday 16th of May 2017 and my alarm went off at 5. A shower and I was in the reception at 5 thirty. I picked up my breakfast box in the reception and I went out to board the jeep. We took off towards Yala National Park and we stopped at the office to pay the entrance fee. And from there it was a few minutes’ drive to the gate.

There were many jeeps in line to enter Yala National Park and as soon as we had entered the park I told the driver to leave the other jeeps. We drove down to the beach and there were many beautiful birds. When we were back up on the dirt road we were alone.

Yala National Park
05:30 and the jeep is here to pick me up

Yala National Park
05:30 and the jeep is here to pick me up

Yala National Park
Many jeeps waiting to pay the entrance fee

Yala National Park
We drove to the gate after having paid the entrance fee. Long line of jeeps waiting to get in

Yala National Park

Yala National Park
Gate to Yala National Park

Yala National Park
I ask the driver to leave the “MAIN” dust road so we could be alone

Buffalo in Yala National Park

Mongoose in Yala National Park
Mongoose looking for something

Jerdon's bush lark, Mirafra affinis, Jerdon's lark
Jerdon's bush lark - Mirafra affinis

Jerdon's bush lark, Mirafra affinis, Jerdon's lark
Jerdon's bush lark - Mirafra affinis

Jerdon's bush lark, Mirafra affinis, Jerdon's lark
Jerdon's bush lark - Mirafra affinis

Jerdon's bush lark, Mirafra affinis, Jerdon's lark
Jerdon's bush lark - Mirafra affinis

Yala National Park

Crocodile in Yala National Park
A crocodile

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis, Sri Lanka Paradise Flycatcher
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis, Sri Lanka Paradise Flycatcher
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis, Sri Lanka Paradise Flycatcher
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis, Sri Lanka Paradise Flycatcher
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher - Terpsiphone paradisi ceylonensis

Common Kingfisher
Common Kingfisher

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater, sometimes Little green Bee-eater

Green bee-eater, Merops orientalis, little green bee-eater
Green bee-eater nest (house)

Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus oscitans, นกปากห่าง
Asian Openbill Stork - นกปากห่าง

Asian Openbill Stork, Anastomus oscitans, นกปากห่าง
Asian Openbill Stork - นกปากห่าง

Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Red-wattled Lapwing, Vanellus indicus
Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus

Spotted Dove, Spilopelia chinensis, นกเขาใหญ่, นกเขาหลวง
Spotted dove - Spilopelia chinensis

My Guide/ Driver got a call about 3 sighted Leopards. He said it was far away so we took off with screamin' and smokin' tyres. We were hauling arse and it is a really big park. We were in a hurry and when we came around a corner half way we spotted an elephant. He was walking on the road, and he was walking slowly.

A dying elephant, it was only skin and bones and I remembered what I have learned in Africa. All elephants, dying a natural death are starving to death. When they get old they cannot eat and all the dead elephants we saw were around lakes where they come to drink water.

This was a very old elephant, my Guide/ Driver told me he was 45 years old, or there about.

Elephant in Yala National Park
Blocking the road

Elephant in Yala National Park
Only skin and bone

Elephant in Yala National Park

Elephant in Yala National Park
Finally, we can pass the elephant

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Painted Stork, Mycteria leucocephala, นกกาบบัว
Painted Stork - Mycteria leucocephala

Buffalo in Yala National Park
Buffalo, and we can see that the buffalo is hurt from fighting with another buffalo
Same as in Africa, not even the leopards dare to attack a buffalo

Wild Bore in Yala National Park
Wild boar enjoying the mud

Wild Bore in Yala National Park
Wild boar enjoying the mud

Buffalo in Yala National Park

Wild Bore in Yala National Park
Wild boar enjoying the mud

Lizard in Yala National Park
Lizard living in a tree

Lizard in Yala National Park
Lizard living in a tree

Lizard in Yala National Park
Lizard living in a tree

Yala National Park
Jeep in front of us

Yala National Park
My ass is trash after 10 hours on these roads

Woolly-necked Stork or Whitenecked Stork, Ciconia episcopus
Woolly-necked Stork - Ciconia episcopus

Lesser adjutant Stork, Leptoptilos javanicus
Lesser adjutant Stork - Leptoptilos javanicus

Indian pond heron or Paddybird, Ardeola grayii
Indian pond heron or Paddybird - Ardeola grayii

Indian pond heron or Paddybird, Ardeola grayii
Indian pond heron or Paddybird - Ardeola grayii

Indian pond heron or Paddybird, Ardeola grayii
Indian pond heron or Paddybird - Ardeola grayii

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti, Bay-headed Bee-eater
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater - Merops leschenaulti

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Merops leschenaulti, Bay-headed Bee-eater
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater - Merops leschenaulti

Yala National Park

Spotted Deer in Yala National Park
Spotted deer

Spotted Deer in Yala National Park
Spotted deer

Yala National Park

Yala National Park

Lizard in Yala National Park
Lizard in Yala National Park

Crocodile in Yala National Park
Crocodile

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Treron bicinctus
Male Orange-breasted Green Pigeon

Crocodile in Yala National Park

Yala National Park
Our Lunch place

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Male House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Female House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Female House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Female House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Male House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Male House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, Gråsparv, นกกระจอกใหญ่
Male House Sparrow - Passer domesticus

Red-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
Red-vented Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer
Red-vented Bulbul

Indian Robin , Copsychus fulicatus
Female Indian Robin

Indian Robin , Copsychus fulicatus
Female Indian Robin

Yala National Park
Having our lunch - I have lost my safari helmet

Yala National Park
Having our lunch - I have lost my safari helmet

Lunch, we parked under a huge tree. It was quarter to 12 and we would stay here until 2 o'clock. I had my lunch and then I had planned to walk around looking for birds. I had seen a big Malabar Hornbill land in a tree across the dust road. But we were supposed to stay close to the car, there were some angry buffalos in the mud field on the other side of the dust road.
Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st- What the Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.st

How am I supposed to kill 2 hours here? There was a few House Sparrows, Indian Robins and Red-vented Bulbuls and that was it. OK, it was kind of fun to watch a male and female Indian Robin Yet another Smiley on www.aladdin.stflirting with each other.

The lunch area turned in to a pretty boring place after 20 minutes or so. I discovered an elephant on the dust road and our Guides, we were 3 jeeps at the lunch place told us to get in to the jeeps, double speed. It was a crazy elephant. Don't ask me how they can see that it is a crazy elephant.

But my guide told me it was easy to see as the elephant was drooling. I stayed stand-by without going in to the car. I had a few pictures and the elephant looked friendly enough.

I told the Guide that I wanted to leave and we could go home earlier instead. The place was driving me up the walls and the strong wind blew sand over my legs and it felt like being grit blasted.

Elephant in Yala National Park
The crazy elephant

Elephant in Yala National Park
My new friend

We left the place and it was nice to be moving again. We went to check out the Hornbill but there was no signs of the Hornbill. My ass was trash and I asked the driver to start moving back towards the gate. It will be more than 10 hours in the jeep before I'm back at my room. It had been a gorgeous day with many beautiful sights so I was very happy.

But my behind (all 2,8 m) was getting sore. And of course, we kept an eye out for my safari helmet. Must have been blown off when I was looking in another direction and I never noticed the helmet disappearing.

Monkeys in Yala National Park
We meet new friends

Elephant in Yala National Park
Yet another elephant

Elephant Rock in Yala National Park
Easy to understand why the call it the Elephant Rock

Elephant in Yala National Park
A group of elephants

Pelicans in Yala National Park
A tree full og pelicans

Yala National Park

Elephant in Yala National Park
We wait for an elephant to come out from the bush

Elephant in Yala National Park
He comes towards us

Yala National Park

Yala National Park


We were leaving Yala National Park. I saw a Malabar Hornbill flying over the road in front of us and the bird landed in a tree next to the road. We had several jeeps coming in our direction and they only passed, they were looking for leopards so never mind the other beautiful animals in the park.

I found it very strange that no one stopped to have a look. Anyway, we stopped to look and we could only see the bill sticking up behind the berry filled tree. The Malabar Hornbill was munching on the yellow berries and the Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher was most likely having a nest nearby.

A fantastic show that they missed in the passing jeeps. Leopards was the only thing they wanted to see and they return home disappointed. 1 or 2 days here and if they don't see any leopards they go back home with nothing.



I must put a few more pictures even though the quality leave a lot to wish for. We were leaving Yala National Park. I saw a Malabar Hornbill flying over the road in front of us and the bird landed in a tree next to the road. We had several jeeps coming in our direction and they only passed, they were looking for leopards so never mind the other beautiful animals in the park.

I found it very strange that no one stopped to have a look. Anyway, we stopped to look and we could only see the bill sticking up behind the berry filled tree. The Malabar Hornbill was munching on the yellow berries and the Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher was most likely having a nest nearby.

A fantastic show that they missed in the passing jeeps. Leopards was the only thing they wanted to see and they return home disappointed. 1 or 2 days here and if they don't see any leopards they go back home with nothing.


Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - May 2017

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - May 2017

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - May 2017

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - May 2017

Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Ceylon Paradise Flycatcher attacking a Malabar Hornbill
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka - May 2017



Indian Robin , Copsychus fulicatus
Sri Lanka Woodshrike

Indian Robin , Copsychus fulicatus
Sri Lanka Woodshrike
Babies, just out of the nest. Cannot fly or eat by themself

Indian Robin , Copsychus fulicatus
Sri Lanka Woodshrike
Babies, just out of the nest. Cannot fly or eat by themselves

Elephant in Yala National Park
Elephants crossing the road

Elephant in Yala National Park
Last elephants today

What a day we have had. No leopards, but a Paradise flycatcher attacking a big Hornbill. Sri Lanka Woodshrike babies, elephants and so many beautiful birds. I'm looking forward to another day in the wild tomorrow. And tomorrow we will leave at 5 so I have to wake up 4 thirty.

Back at the hotel and I asked for a “double” fruit salad Aladdin style. I got one yesterday but they don't have mango. But I asked them to arrange mango for me. 2 hours later and I had a big bowl of fruit salad and a pot of tea.

Well, what will we see tomorrow? Click HERE to find out.




Safari on Sri Lanka


       
                  
OK, it has come to my knowledge that we have senior citizens visiting my web page. How hard can it be? So it's not very easy for them to see the blue coloured links to the next page.
Jiffy (also jiff)

noun [in SING.] informal a moment: we'll be back in a jiffy.

ORIGIN late 18th cent.: of unknown origin.

So as you understand, in a jiff pretty much depends on your internet.
So I put a “Next” button here and I hope that there isn't any problem to understand how to use that one. So just CLICK the “Next” button on your left hand side and you will be on the next page in a jiff!

Marunong ka mag-tagalog? Walang problema! Magpunta sa kabilang pahina pindutin ang “NEXT” button sa itaas

Faites vous parlez le français? Pas de problème! Pour arriver à la page suivante faites s'il vous plaît un déclic le bouton “Next” ci-dessus!

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Вы говорите по-русски? NJET PROBLEMA! Просто нажмите синюю кнопку "Next" с левой стороны и Вы моментально переместитесь на следующую страницу!

E ni Svenskar och inte förstår Engelska så ska ni skämmas. J och Björn, med det menar jag inte att alla mina stavfel ska ältas varje gång vi träffas.

Flag of Skåne / Skånska flaggan Well, the flag of Skåne, just a BONUS flag.


                                       

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