Wednesday 24 September 2008

CSI

Lesser Adjutant at the Yala National Park
A serial killer in a pool of blood?

We arrived at this crime scene at the Yala National Park during the photography tour that I guided last month. The cold look of the murderer, the bloody scene and eiry silence; we could just about connect the dots. Was it as bad as it seems?

No!

The reddish hue in the water was painted by floral elements falling on it from nearby tree—Tamarind Tamarindus indica. Our prime suspect, the Lesser Adjutant, although has a criminal record of preying on unsuspecting birds, reptiles and small mammals, was innocent at this particular occasion.

Lesser Adjutant is a member of the Stork family and in Sri Lanka, it is mainly found in the dry zone where it is considered a scarce breeding resident. Its bare head almost like that of a vulture is an adaptation to deal with carrion, which account for its severe appearance deficits.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very amusing post, Amila, but informative at the same time. Well done.

Bobbie

Amila Salgado said...

Thanks! Bobbie. Glad you liked it.
Have a great day!

Pat - Arkansas said...

LOL... I am very fond of the CSI series (all of them) so had to chuckle when I read your "bloody scene" comments.

"Who killed Colonel Mustard?" It was the Lesser Adjutant, in the jungle, with its beak! ::grin::

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Pat,
I too like CSI.

Moments later some Painted Storks joined this bloody scene too!

Anonymous said...

Hey Amila, I think the bird did it! ;-) Great who dun it story and I love the photo.

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