Chaminda de Silva Wildlife Photography

Name: Chaminda de Silva Wildlife Photography
Address: Niyagama House, niyagama, Akmeemana, Galle, 80090, LK
Telephone: +94779073621
Rating: 5

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Chaminda de Silva Wildlife Photography

Enjoy my latest photos. Most of them have been captured in Sri Lanka. I hope you enjoy discovering them as much I did enjoy to capture them!
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26/07/2026

The Story of the Little Forest King

Deep in the ancient, dappled-green heart of the rainforest, where shadows and light dance on old bark, something special was watching. This is the realm of the Spot-bellied eagle-owl, one of the forest's most magnificent and reclusive predators, and to see one is a gift.

Walking along a secluded forest trail, my guide and I almost missed him. Perched high on a massive, lichen-covered branch, he was a perfect, motionless shadow. It wasn’t until a slight rustle and a blink revealed him. This was no ordinary owl. It was a young chick, recently fledged and still finding its place in the world.

From our vantage point, we could see the exquisite detail of its feathers: a complex, perfect barring of black and white across its back and wings, designed for the ultimate camouflage. His body was mostly turned away, but as we watched, he slowly and deliberately rotated his head, a smooth, near-180-degree turn.

Then, he pinned us. Those two immense, dark, knowing eyes met ours with an intensity that made the forest feel even quieter. Its prominent, underdeveloped "ear tufts"—still looking a bit unruly like messy bedhead—gave him a slightly comical, yet undeniably regal, air. A true "Little Forest King" in the making. It felt less like I was observing him, and more like he was assessing us, a powerful guardian of an ancient place. We stayed just long enough to capture this brief, powerful moment of connection before leaving him to his wild home. A humbling encounter I will never forget.

19/07/2026

The Ultimate Leap of Faith

Ever had a moment where you just had to trust the process, look danger in the eye, and just jump?

Meet this incredibly brave Black-hooded oriole chick, captured mid-air in what might just be the most important second of its young life.

With his downy, fuzzy "bedhead" still intact and feathers still growing in, he decided today was the day to trade the safety of this peeling bark branch for the great unknown. Look at that absolute hyper-focus!

The wings: Fully extended, catching just enough air.

The landing gear: Dropped and ready for impact.

The expression: A perfect mix of "I completely got this!" and "Oh boy, there's no turning back now!" 😅

It’s a beautiful, raw reminder that growth always happens right outside our comfort zones. Sometimes, you just have to stop overthinking, spread your wings, and take the plunge.

Drop a ❤️ to wish this little guy a soft landing!

18/07/2026

The Ultimate Sweet Heist!

I am absolutely thrilled to share this shot with you all. I managed to capture a truly rare and spectacular moment in the wild: a Crested Honey Buzzard, fresh off a raid, holding a massive chunk of honeycomb right in its beak!

What makes these birds so fascinating isn't just their striking look, but their incredible specialization. While other raptors are scanning the ground for mice or lizards, the honey buzzard looks up into the canopy, hunting for bee and wasp nests.

Nature has literally built them for this dangerous job. They have unique, scale-like feathers around their eyes and face to protect them from angry stings as they tear into hives for a meal of nutrient-rich larvae and wax.

Watching this magnificent predator look back at me, prize firmly secured, against that moody forest backdrop... it’s one of those moments that reminds me exactly why I love wildlife photography.

What do you think of this fierce thief? Let me know in the comments!

17/07/2026

🌿 A Slice of Island Magic: A Mother’s Love in the Canopy 🇱🇰✨

There is nothing quite like witnessing the quiet, unfiltered moments of nature. High up on a weathered tree trunk in the heart of Sri Lanka’s forests, a beautiful family story unfolds.

📸 The Story Behind the Lens

After a morning filled with loud, rhythmic drumming against the bark, this Crimson-backed Flameback mother (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) finally secured a hard-earned breakfast.

With her beak packed with insects, she returned to her eager chick. In this split second, the chaos of the jungle fades away into a gentle exchange of care. The chick tilts its head back in absolute trust, receiving the fuel it needs to one day rule the canopy just like its parents.

🔬 Look Closer: The Details

If you look closely at this incredible endemic species, you can spot a few amazing details:

The Mother's Crown: Unlike the males who sport a fully solid red crest, the adult female features a striking velvet-black crown dusted with brilliant white stars.

The Next Generation: The chick below is already showing off the early signs of its iconic, fiery crimson plumage.

A True Local: These spectacular woodpeckers are found only in Sri Lanka, making glimpses into their family lives incredibly special.

It’s a beautiful reminder that no matter how wild the world gets, a mother’s dedication remains universal.

👇 Have you ever been lucky enough to hear the distinct call or spot the fiery red back of a Flameback in the wild? Let me know in the comments!

16/07/2026

Stepping onto the rugged shores of Delft Island in Sri Lanka is like stepping back in time, and this encounter with one of its legendary feral horses is a moment I’ll never forget.

Known as the descendants of Dutch and Portuguese ponies, these horses roam free across the island’s coral plains. This one, with its incredibly textured, almost patterned coat (is it mud-caked armor, or a unique dapple? We could never tell!), gave us a direct, unblinking look. The contrast was dramatic: its powerful, wild presence set against a moody, deep-blue storm sky.

And the best part? Its unlikely companion, a small white egret, stood patiently just inches from its hooves. A silent, ancient partnership in a place of wind, sun, and history. 🐎🕊️

Exploring Delft is full of quiet surprises. Definitely a must-visit for any nature and history lover.

15/07/2026

Caught in the Act.

Mid-conversation with the forest! 🗣️🪵

I managed to catch this stunning Female Black-rumped Flameback (also known as the Lesser Goldenback) right at the perfect moment. Look closely at her beak—she was right in the middle of delivering her loud, signature cackling call when I snapped this!

People often think woodpeckers only make noise when they drum on wood, but this lady had a lot to say. Notice the beautiful black forehead speckled with white dots leading into that fiery red crest? That’s how you know she’s a female (the males have a completely red crown).

It’s moments like this that make sitting still in the woods for hours absolutely worth it.

What do you think she was yelling at?

A ) A rival flameback entering her territory 🦅

B ) A very hidden, very delicious ant nest 🐜

C ) Me, for getting too close with my camera 📸

Drop your guesses below! 👇

14/07/2026

👀 WHEN THE NIGHT STARES BACK...

We were exploring the beautiful, quiet grounds of Niyagama House here in Sri Lanka, keeping my eyes peeled for nocturnal wildlife. We expected to maybe hear an owl or see some bats.

We did not expect to lock eyes with a real-life Muppet! 🦉

Meet the Sri Lanka Frogmouth. During the day, these birds are absolute masters of camouflage—they blend so perfectly into branches and dead leaves that they are nearly impossible to find. But at night? They turn into these wide-eyed, jaw-dropping creatures.

This was the exact split-second he realized his hiding spot was blown. I honestly think we were both equally shocked to see each other!

Drop a comment below: What do you think is going through his mind right now?

13/07/2026

Silver Oriole

Add a touch of grace to your surroundings with the stunning Silver Oriole. Known for its vibrant plumage and melodious song, this beautiful bird symbolizes beauty and harmony. Whether you're a bird enthusiast or simply admire nature's wonders, the Silver Oriole is sure to captivate your heart.

12/07/2026

If you think your hiding skills are good, you’ve got nothing on this tiny forest dweller. Measuring just about 7.5 inches long (roughly the size of a standard water bottle!), these owls are absolute ninjas of the bird world.
Here are a few mind-blowing facts about them to upgrade your timeline today:
🌳 Bark or Bird? Their beautifully mottled feathers are designed to look exactly like tree bark. When they feel threatened, they stretch out vertically, close their eyes halfway, and freeze. They instantly transform into a "broken tree branch."
🎨 Wardrobe Changes: They come in two primary color styles (or "morphs")—a sleek grey and a rich, rusty rufous-brown. Some can even shift their tones seasonally to perfectly match the changing foliage around them!
👀 Built-In Radar: Like many owls, they can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees. Plus, their ear openings are completely asymmetrical, which acts like high-tech sonar to pinpoint exactly where an insect or mouse is moving in pitch darkness.
🎶 The Sound of the Night: Forget the classic "whoo-whoo." The male's signature call sounds more like a rhythmic, liquid "tuk tok torok" or a steady "poop-poop-poop" echoing through the trees at night.
Look closely at the photo below—those piercing, bright yellow eyes are perfectly adapted for scanning dark forest floors across South and Southeast Asia!
Have you ever been lucky enough to spot one of these tiny owls in the wild? Drop your birdwatching stories or favorite owl emojis below! 👇

11/07/2026

Brown Fish Owl

The Brown Fish Owl (Ketupa zeylonensis) is a magnificent bird of prey known for its striking appearance and impressive hunting skills. Often found lurking by rivers and lakes, this majestic owl feeds mainly on fish and is a true marvel of nature.

Fun Facts:
Large, fluffy, and brown with striking markings
Primarily active at night
Vocalizes with deep, resonant calls that echo through the forest

Address

Niyagama House, Niyagama, Akmeemana
Galle
80090

Telephone

+94779073621

Website

http://www.chamindawildlifephotography.com/, http://www.niyagamahouse.com/

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