VillagePal

VillagePal Sri Lanka is a beautiful island in Asia. I am a villager and I love to share my experience with you

Bathing in Nature's SerenadeAs the dawn breaks, the tranquil morning unfolds, casting a golden hue upon the treetops. Th...
17/06/2023

Bathing in Nature's Serenade

As the dawn breaks, the tranquil morning unfolds, casting a golden hue upon the treetops. The sun, still low in the sky, is yet to paint the earth below with its vibrant colors.

In the moments just before sunrise, a gentle rain graced the surroundings. The trees, drenched in moisture, glisten with droplets. The rhythmic melody of raindrops descending to the ground fills the air, creating a soothing symphony.

Abruptly, a rustling sound emanates from the garden. Leaves whisper as they sway, their gentle collision harmonizing with the delicate patter of water meeting foliage and soil. It is a rare occurrence for monkeys to venture into our area, and their arrival often echoes through the branches.

Filled with curiosity, I too hoped to catch a glimpse of a monkey or another magnificent creature. However...

To my surprise, it was not a monkey or any sizable creature. Two coucal birds gracefully leaped from branch to branch, engaging in what seemed like a playful game. The scene unfolded before me, capturing my attention and piquing my curiosity.

With each agile leap, the coucals would flutter their wings, bathing in the residual water droplets that clung to the leaves. This bathing ritual resembled that of smaller birds, like the enchanting hummingbirds.

Our garden frequently plays host to the coucals, and we have even provided a birdbath for their enjoyment. Yet, until this moment, they had not been observed taking advantage of the bath.

Have you witnessed this remarkable sight? Are there other bathing behaviors displayed by coucals? We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences with us, as we unravel the mysteries of nature's splendid moments.

Amidst the harmonious merging of rural hues and the vivid colors of nature, an enchanting sense of happiness and content...
03/06/2023

Amidst the harmonious merging of rural hues and the vivid colors of nature, an enchanting sense of happiness and contentment effortlessly permeates our hearts. It is within the unassuming simplicity of our surroundings that we wholeheartedly invite you to partake in the genuine warmth and boundless joy that the rural environment and lifestyle graciously present. To our dear friend Jenny, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your delightful companionship.

In my pursuit of creating a nest harmoniously woven within nature's embrace, every element, from walls to windows, has b...
27/05/2023

In my pursuit of creating a nest harmoniously woven within nature's embrace, every element, from walls to windows, has been adorned in shades of green, blending seamlessly with the verdant surroundings. Yet, the vibrant red tile roof stands as a striking contrast, a reminder that the journey to fully merge with the natural realm comes with its own costs and challenges.

The Emerald Dove is an exquisite and vibrant bird that captivates the eye. Its striking combination of green and blue hu...
20/05/2023

The Emerald Dove is an exquisite and vibrant bird that captivates the eye. Its striking combination of green and blue hues is enhanced by the presence of brown, red, and white accents, creating a stunning display.

However, despite its visual allure, the melodious aspect of Emerald Dove's voice is not prominent. It can be described as a short hooting or hmmm... sound. If you blow into a bottle with a small neck at a certain angle, a similar sound can be produced. It does not possess the characteristics of a raspy or singing voice. Nevertheless...

The Emerald Dove is not particularly fond of human company. The period from February to March is recognized as its prime breeding season. Consequently, the melodious song (or hooting) of the Emerald Dove adds to the beauty of the rural environment during this time.

This charming song commences at sunrise and can be heard intermittently until sunset. It follows a rhythmic pattern of a half-second hooting, followed by a silence of approximately one and a half seconds. This sequence is repeated anywhere between 5 to 25 times before a pause of roughly 10 seconds, signaling the start of another singing session.

Although not overwhelmingly loud, this song gracefully resonates throughout the forest, blending harmoniously with the surroundings and evoking a sense of sweetness. Its calm and serene tones create an atmosphere of tranquility.

At times, the song of an Emerald Dove perched on a nearby tree can be heard as if it were a distant melody, drifting through the air.

Furthermore, I have observed that some individuals do not naturally perceive this low-pitched voice. It is only when they consciously pay attention that they are able to hear its enchanting melody.

In the countryside, various types of Annona plants from the Annonaceae family can be found. Among them, Soursop (Annona ...
13/05/2023

In the countryside, various types of Annona plants from the Annonaceae family can be found. Among them, Soursop (Annona muricata), Bullock's heart (Annona reticulata), and Sugar Apple/Sweetsop (Annona squamosa) stand out.

Let's focus on the Sugar Apple/Sweetsop, which comes in two types: green and purple. Compared to other Annona varieties, this fruit is smaller and mostly round. Notably, it boasts a delightful taste. The Sugar Apple plant is relatively compact and can be cultivated in a sizeable pot, making it suitable for shaping into a bush-like form.

However, what I truly wish to share with you extends beyond the enjoyment of these delicious fruits. Growing a Sugar Apple tree near your home offers an additional benefit—the captivating fragrance of its flowers. It is an indescribably sweet scent that enchants the senses and leaves a lasting impression.

Thalagoya / Common Indian Monitor / Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)Thalagoya is not an unfamiliar animal to us. It ...
06/05/2023

Thalagoya / Common Indian Monitor / Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis)

Thalagoya is not an unfamiliar animal to us. It can be seen in forested areas, and around farms and houses as well. Thalagoya is a diurnal reptile. It's Carnivorous. Often they come near houses to look for food. They can be often found digging in loose, wet soil areas, especially flower pots, and vegetable beds for worms, frogs, clams, etc. Although as an animal that is away from human society, sometimes it is not without occasions that it gets tamed.

Often, 2 or 3 feet long Thalagoyas are found, but sometimes more than 5 feet long ones are found too. Although it is not fond of water as an Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator), Talagoya can also behave itself in water. It also can climb trees. They are opportunistic predators, feeding on various prey including insects, small mammals, birds, and eggs.

In conclusion, the Thalagoya is an ecologically and culturally fascinating and important species. While they face threats from human activities, they continue to thrive in their native habitats. Thalagoya also serves as another link in our rich biodiversity.

Liyan Blossoming and Honey BeesThe Liyan (Homalium zeylanicum) plant is a marvel of nature, as its unique characteristic...
29/04/2023

Liyan Blossoming and Honey Bees

The Liyan (Homalium zeylanicum) plant is a marvel of nature, as its unique characteristics have been the subject of numerous articles on this page.

Every year, Liyan sheds its old leaves and replaces them with fresh ones, coinciding with the emergence of its stunning flowers. This cycle typically occurs in the early months of the year, especially during February.

It is fascinating to observe how different Liyan bushes shed their old leaves, sprout new ones, and blossom at varying intervals, even if they are in close proximity to each other. This is a rare phenomenon in the plant kingdom since most plants tend to follow a synchronized timeline for their activities within their environment.

For instance, all the coffee bushes in a village bloom on the same morning, regardless of their distance from each other. Similarly, every Atteria / Dharsuubatae Neepasae (Murraya Paniculta) bush blooms on the same evening. Thus, most plant activities tend to conform to a specific schedule.

The Liyan plant, on the other hand, defies the laws of nature by not adhering to a set timeline. However, there is a silver lining to this deviation.

The Liyan plant is a prolific grower that produces a plethora of flowers. During the flowering season, it attracts numerous bees and wasps that rely on its nectar for survival. If all Liyan bushes were to flower simultaneously, there would not be enough pollinators to fertilize the flowers. Therefore, the staggered flowering of Liyan plants is crucial for their reproduction and for the survival of the animals that depend on them for sustenance.

Spotted MuniaIn my garden, there are two nests made by Munia birds - one in a mango tree and the other in a willow tree....
22/04/2023

Spotted Munia
In my garden, there are two nests made by Munia birds - one in a mango tree and the other in a willow tree. The garden is also home to White-Rumped Munia birds who sometimes flock with Spotted Munia birds.

Munia birds are very active and it's lovely to see them collecting grass and flying to the nest. They are not songbirds, but their chirps are sweet when they are in a flock.

One time, I saw Munia birds build a nest in a reed bush in the garden and wanted to observe it. I decided to check it out at night with a flashlight, but it scared them and many of the birds flew away. I learned that not all nests are for raising young and some are used for safety or warmth.

Now, I won't disturb the nests in the mango tree and the willow tree with my flashlight.

to read in English…
https://www.facebook.com/VillagePal

සිංහලෙන් කියවීමට පිවිසෙන්න…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/villagepal



Address

67 A, Palliyapitiya West
Dunagaha
11264

Telephone

+94712875975

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VillagePal posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to VillagePal:

Shortcuts

Share

Category