Sri Lanka Day 7

The first thing I did today was try to get shots of the Bee-eathers in flight. The sun was shining at first and it was an ideal chance to achieve the fast shutter speed needed. I had stunning success and the picture above is my favourite amongst some really nice images. I dodged the showers and at one point got absolutely soaked through to my skin, the great thing though is that you don't get cold in the least as the temperature remains in the high 20's. I watched the Bee-eaters having some relatively easy pickings and at least twice I saw a bird just grab a bee out of the air without even having to leave the perch. I think this family of birds has evolved to be very successful. They are constantly alert and hunting and follow potential prey visually before launching themselves at the prey which they seem to capture very easily before gliding back to the perch, usually the one from which they left.

It seems obvious in this photo just how they got their name. With it's eyes fixed firmly on the small bee it launches itself in pursuit.

Then with the bee firmly in the beak it lands back on a perch. This species of Bee-eater is at it's most attractive when the underside of the wing is exposed.

The Blue – tailed Bee – rather is very well named.

So after a good morning and a period of rest to get over the "one drink too many"th evening before, I took one of Ravi's motor scooters north to Madame and the rice paddies that I know well and always enjoy. I think being at the rice paddies there is about the most remote and "wild" that I have ever felt. It's relatively safe and quite easy to access so ideal although I did feel just a little bit threatened from time to time due to its isolation. There was many many birds there but nothing I haven't seen before but, apart from being very hot and humid it was one of those days of a lifetime that will always be remembered. The drive too and fro was really extreme. I have said it before on numerous occasions that I can't understand how accidents don't happen constantly. There is an unwritten rule that i haven't quite understood yet but involves just trying too keep out of the way of the oncoming, very quick and aggressive drivers. The busses are particularly frightening and they just drive as fast as they can and everyone else on the road including dogs, old ladies crossing and of course, all other vehicles getting clear.