November Rain

The rains have returned to the dry zone, ending the withering drought it experienced for several months. I know this, because I am back from a 4-day trip, which took me to several National Parks in that part of the country. I bore witness to some of the pleasant changes brought about by the rains. A brief account below.


Grey-breasted Prinia at Udawalawe

One of things that I have experienced in our dry country is that, when it rains, it really pours, just as Elvis sang decades ago. It had started to rain properly just three days before my arrival at Yala. And I was surprised to see how quickly some of the waterholes had filled up. The Wild Buffalos, neck deep them, were visibly happy that the drought is finally over.


The shrubs, which had shed leaves to conserve water during the drought, spouted up fresh foliage almost before our eyes. It was springtime at Yala. This migrant Brahminy Myna was sitting on such a deciduous shrub.


The new growth in the vegetation brought about happy times for herbivores. This elephant, busy feasting on the succulent new-growth, was not too bothered by our close presence.


This female Sambar held this pose long enough for me to bump up the ISO to attempt this shot in low light.


The Spotted Deer were back in the glades, grazing the new grass that had sprung up. Suddenly, there was water everywhere, and the rush-hour traffic, seen near water holes during the height of the drought last month, was over. Life was returning to once barren terrain.


Whenever there was a respite from the weather, the bird activity went up. I got my first decent shots of Tawny-bellied Babbler at Udawalawe.


Courting Indian Peafowl males, displaying their gaudy trains, were a common sight at all sites.


Even in rainy weather, you still could manage plenty of bird and wildlife watching in the tropics. If you are patient enough, that is. Like this Painted Stork at Bundala National Park.