An orgy in wildlifewatching. Yala Nationalpark

Yala National park is Sri Lankas second largest and most visited park, making the place to a circus at times. Yet, the wildlife watching there is superb. I had two visits to Yala. One when the landscape was wet and green and the pools filled with water, reptiles and birds. And one when the park had dried in. Both visits were great-but very different. Like it was two different parks i had visited.

Tissa (Tissamahamarama) is the nearest town, and the place to set things up. First of all, you need a jeep. Go for a car whose seating face the driving direction-benches along the sides is impractical for watching wildlife-especially if there are many people. Next-it is wise to find travel mates as carhire is per car, not per person. There is a need for a permit-my driver took care of that-but make sure things will be settled!

The main draw for visitors is the possibility to see a leopard. The chances are good-Yala is home to the highest leopardconcentration in the world. But even if you don;t see any cats-there are so many other creatures around. The afternoon is regarded to be the best time to find leopards-however, both my leopard sightings were  in the mornings.

My first trip was on my own. I started when it still was dark and arrived the parkgate at the same time as the very first daylight. When we were processed by the guards and ready to pass the gate, one could see the surroundings clearly and the first thing i saw was a group of wild boars plowing the ground with their noses in search of food.

Later we came to a forest lined bay, with fertile green grassland. Here beautiful spotted deer were grazing. They shared the banquet table with boars and cattle.

A beeater.

A kingfisher.

About to catch something. I didn't really see what it found-but it definitely got it!

Monkeybusiness.

         

Further in we came to some freshwater pools. They were teeming with birds-egrets and storks, mainly. In the surroundings, several peacocks were parading. Lining the pool were crocodiles, so many i could not really figure out how to fit all in. The birds were unaffected by the reptiles-which normally don't attack them.

A male peacock shows off. I don't know what the peacock ladies say, but i got impressed.

Two males check eachothers credentials.

Drinking.

Beautifull. simply beautifull!

A junglefowl. Sri Lankas nationalbird.

And here is  what we all dream about. He walked along the road a bit well in front of the car, then crossed into the forest. It took only 20 seconds.

Hiding and resting in a far away tree. It is late in the morning, and the cat will rest until it  gets colder.

Having a good time showering in a pool.

Moving towards us. The message is clear-I don't want you here! We left. No questions asked!

Another elephant. A big, impressive tusker.

A mongoose got surprised. It measured us, not knowing what to do-dig or run for it. He continued digging ferociously.

Mealtime in the reptile camp as well.