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 ...
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...