Skip to main content

Posts

A VACANT NEST

    As we walked out of the main door this morning, birds and flowers were waiting to welcome me. They knew it is ‘watering day’. Boy, were they excited? I gave them a wink and went on with the preliminary check of the garden.   First on the agenda was the hummingbird feeder which had been refilled yesterday. With practice, I have mastered how to brew that ‘magic potion’ which attracts these birds. My wife pointed out to a Bulbul which was trying to poke her short and blunt beak into the orifice of the feeder. She was enjoying the sugary water kept for the hummingbirds.   The ‘proportion’ is simple. 300ml of plain water, which is about a tumbler full. We use RO water as an added precaution. 1/3 rd tumbler full of sugar is just right. Put both in a bowl and give it a violent stir till it becomes a ‘whirlpool’. Stir-stir and stir, till all sugar granules disappear. Two minutes and the beverage is ready. Followed by a good rinse to the feeder, fill it and f...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

HOT WEATHER GARDENING

  Garden lovers cannot have a dull moment in their workspace. The area could be limited to a balcony or some lucky ones might have farm houses but there have to be flowers, fruits and vegetables growing in every season. Most gardening enthusiasts would agree.   Well, two seasons see the maximum blooms. Winters and the transition to spring are the best seasons. So much time and preparation go into keeping the plant alive and kicking. Having got used to its tantrums like a baby you see it coming to flower and fruit during this period.   Summers are the worst season for plants. Heat, low humidity, erratic watering takes its toll. Plants go into a shock unless given the requisite shade naturally or artificially. Still, some plants misbehave and the weakest die. A gardener suffers a heart break. Nevertheless, he continues his pursuit to keep the blooming on.   A question people keep asking me off an on. What do you do to get flowers in summer? Selection of p...
Post a Comment
Read more

PHANAS

  Most of us are familiar with a weird looking ‘pot-bellied’ fruit/vegetable called ‘Jack Fruit/Kathal’. It grows on tree trunks swelling into large oversized fruits. The light green texture has rough bristles like a hedgehog, if you guys have touched it.   If plucked raw, it makes an excellent vegetarian dish. The texture is fibrous and chewy. Also called the poor man’s chicken/mutton.   Last week, one of our neighbours brought a casserole full of Biryani. The lady didn’t tell us what it was made of. It was delicious and finger licking! She made “Kathal Biryani”. We were tasting it for the first time. One never knew that biryani could be made out of it.   I as a child detested eating vegetables. Once we went to Agra to our relative’s place. They served us something which looked like dry mutton preparation for lunch. Large chunks of meat were visible and I liked the taste. Neither mom nor dad said a word and watched me devouring the dish. It was later revealed, when ...
Post a Comment
Read more

BABY BULBULS

    We have been watching our ‘Red Vented’ Bulbul’s nest in the garage with great enthusiasm since the last two weeks. The desperate wait for the babies to hatch and the eagerness to see them taking flight is increasing by the day.   It all must have started with an idea to build a nest in one of our hanging pots. I shall leave the criteria for selection and its tactical placement for the time being. Granting the Bulbul her wisdom and acumen and above all confidence in making it there needs an applause.   These birds are friendly but always keep their distance especially when feeding on roti we keep for them. They remain watchful and sharp. Moment, they feel threatened, they vanish into the bushes. Once the coast is clear, they return but with utmost caution to feed again.   I say friendly because they get after me to disturb the foliage in the garden. Maybe, the bushes get shaken by my movement amongst pots or when I sprinkle water on the leaves. This disturbs ...
2 comments
Read more

AN ABANDONED NEST

People ask me, from where do I find subjects to write on. Frankly, they come automatically. From a bird to an airplane flying above can trigger a thought for an article. It could be a scene or situation which touches me deep within also.   Like it happened today. I was feeding the fish, when I noticed a ‘clump of leaves’ clutching a vine. I wanted to shake those leaves away. They could have got entangled with each other. Leaves were stuck very firmly. Which got me thinking. Were they stuck in a cobweb? The mystery had to be solved.   On close inspection, it was an abandoned Hummingbird’s nest. We have seen many nests around our garden. This was a new place. Something must have gone wrong for them to abandon it half built.   As I was wrecking my grey matter many thoughts unfolded. Hummingbirds frequent our home to have a sweet drink which is kept in the hummingbird feeder. They visit till dusk, sipping the drink with glee.   Tactically, it was an exc...
Post a Comment
Read more

KHUJLI IN MY HANDS

  It has been a long time since I have had “Khujli in my Hands”. No, no, not what you are thinking. People will ask me if it is in the left hand or the right one. If it is the left you will receive money and vice versa if it is on the right hand. Right!   My itch is different and has got nothing to do with money. It has everything to do with gardening. Larger the number of flowers, the richer I feel. My happiness index depends on them.   Let me not beat around the bush and come to the itch. It has nothing to do with any disease or what vela people generally scratch. So here goes…...   It was in December that one of our adenium plants showed a seed pod. My excitement knew no bounds. Having researched about this plant called the “desert rose” extensively, one was convinced that this year there will be a new experiment. That is growing adeniums from seeds. A seedpod was the beginning of the process.   From about a centimeter when I had detected the seedpod, it grew...
4 comments
Read more

A NEW BIRD IN TOWN

  Every day, when I walk up the stairs to the rooftop, my mind keeps churning with thoughts of what am I going to find new in the garden there. Would it be a new colour of Waterlily or Adenium? Would it be some new insect, reptile or bird? Would the setting sun give me some new angle or the clouds making new formations? Sometimes, it is a new set of birds flying in formation.   The probabilities are too many. Rest assured, if the camera is in my hand, something or the other is there to delight you and bring a broad smile on your face.   As time has gone by, now you know each tub and pot like the back of your hand. The leaves which float and plants now communicate with you of their needs. Insects and reptiles hang around as they find that place suitable. Even bees and wasps pose for you. Their hover, buzz or the method of taking nectar/water can add to your learning. Not a day goes without an event.   “New” is what I look for. The old cannot be forgotten...
2 comments
Read more