Sankha Wanniatchi - Wildlife & Nature Photographer

27/05/2026

Reached a point where the leopard was probably asking me for privacy 😁

400mm, 600mm, 800mm & 1200mm

14/05/2026

Sambar are known to feed on a wide variety of plants, and the flowers of Nelu (Strobilanthes species) can be an attractive seasonal food source. These flowers are often soft, moisture rich, and may contain natural sugars, making them both palatable and energy-rich for herbivores. During flowering periods, Nelu can also provide important nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that browsing animals may benefit from.

In montane habitats like Horton Plains, where food availability and weather conditions can constantly change, sambar tend to take advantage of whatever nutritious seasonal vegetation is available. The bright flowers may not only be easier to digest than tougher leaves, but could also offer quick energy especially during colder conditions.

A beautiful reminder that even small flowering events in these ecosystems play an important role in supporting wildlife.

Nelu neluflowers nature BBC

13/05/2026

10/05/2026

One of my favorite moments from Ranthambore. This image really shows the sheer size of these magnificent cats.

07/05/2026

Today, I take a moment to wish a very happy birthday to a man who shaped the way I see the natural world, Sir David Attenborough.

Growing up, his voice brought the wild into our homes. His storytelling turned curiosity into passion, and for many of us, that passion became a lifelong pursuit of understanding and protecting nature.

For me, that journey led to Ghost of the Clouded Plains, a story born from years among the leopards of Horton Plains. To have received not one, but three personal letters from Sir David appreciating my work is something I will carry with me forever. It is a reminder that dedication to the natural world, no matter where it begins, can resonate far beyond what we imagine.

Thank you, Sir David, for inspiring generations, for giving a voice to the voiceless, and for showing us that the natural world is worth fighting for.

Happy 100th Birthday, Sir David. Your legacy lives on in all of us.

05/05/2026

HPM08 photographed back in 2024. What a beautiful leopard he is.

hortonplainsnationalpark wildlife

28/04/2026

HPM-07 has always been a shy leopard. Getting close enough for a photograph is never easy. He tends to move away the moment he hears a vehicle approaching.

This frame was captured in a split second. I had just enough time to focus, adjust my settings, and take the shot. He stayed in view for less than 4-5 seconds.

A truly beautiful leopard.

chasingleopards LeopardResearch

30/03/2026

This photograph captures HPM-08 at just three years old—an age where many young males are still navigating uncertainty and displacement. Yet, he was remarkably fortunate. Unlike most sub-adult males that are pushed into less optimal habitats, HPM-08 managed to establish himself in a strategic and resource-rich stretch between Mahaeliya and just outside the park entrance.

hortonplains naturephotography wildlifeconservation intothewild OnTheEdge LeopardTerritory wildsrilanka naturelovers conservationphotography leopardstory fieldnotes ghostofthecloudedplains sankhawanniatchi

26/01/2026

Face to Face with the GHOST

This rare moment captures the delicate tension of the food chain, where survival depends not on speed alone, but on awareness. Leopards rely on stealth and surprise and once seen, the hunt often dissolves into patience and retreat. For the Sambar, a direct stare is both a warning and a test of nerve. Encounters like this reveal the invisible rules that govern life in the wild where every glance can decide who eats, and who escapes.

srilankanleopards ghost hortonplainsleopards