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ANIMALS & BIRDS RESPOND

 ANIMALS & BIRDS RESPOND

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

31/VII/2022

 

            It is fun to go outdoors, see, observe & absorb nature and its bounties. One tree may bring a pair of birds but a row of trees can bring a flock. Imagine a jungle!

 

            Moment I walked out to the riverfront, the grazing cows got alerted. People feed them Roti. Some roti on stones for the squirrels and birds to relish too.

 

            One cow came very close. I wasn’t carrying a bag which is a hint that there could be roti. My camera did not make any sense to her. She smelt the bag and then smelt me and shook her head as if to say, why was I empty handed. I scrubbed her forehead from in between her horns and to her nose and she loved it. I wanted to move on but she blocked my way to get more rubs and I obliged.

 

She slid her greyish pink tongue in and out of her nostrils alternatively as she stood at the gate. She 'mooed' twice. A small gap and mooed again. When no one responded, she then walked to the abundant grass sprouting in the rainy season. She enjoyed the rub and wanted more, which people generally don’t. They may touch it for blessings, but not rub her as most of them are afraid.

 

Birds in and around our garden are nesting. Some come to feed, some come frolicking, some even fight. Many express their love in a birdy way. A kiss here and a friendly peck there. After a hard day's work, they come to roost at their favourite branch at dusk.

 

Birds went into a frenzy as I made a ‘squeaky’ sound by pulling air between my teeth. This sound I generally made to call squirrels. One squeak & they got alerted. On a series of squeaks, they started congregating on the nearest branch, as if to enquire from where this sound was coming from.

 

Birds responded as if they knew me. Some even hovered close. They must have thought that a chick was in distress. The way they came chirping, twittering, squeaking, screeching, flying from one tree to tree, peeping down, as if asking me, if all was well.

 

Had I continued squeaking, there would have been some on my shoulders. Next time, I will carry grains in my hand. Let me see if they come to take them. They don’t mind coming to about two to three feet now. If there is no jerky movement, they carry on munching.

 

As I was busy with the birds, when a golden retriever came to our lane. The birds took off. We had seen this dog a couple of times. One wasn’t sure that this was a friendly dog. It had a leash on. The owner was nowhere in sight.

 

I called a fictitious name ‘Tabby’. She responded like long lost friends. She was at my feet, rolling over from side to side. I belly rubbed her and she started to squeal in excitement. I stopped and she stood up and was up on me. We hugged and talked gibberish and she responded equally.

 

A whine, a woof, a constant wag of her tail was indication that she needed lots of love which was showered on her. Not only that, she wanted my wife to play with her. She would run from me to my wife, take a tickle and return. She soon realised that it was the wrong home and left.

 

I was worried about 'tabby'. A week before, a stray mauled our neighbour's pet,’ who had broken free. ‘Champ’ is an Apso and a strict vegetarian. His morning walk invariably culminates at our home. Till it is not fed with a “tamatar”, he just won’t leave. He knows our fridge and will paw its door till he gets one. Tomatoes have to be deseeded, chopped into eatable sized pieces and fed to him by hand or he won’t eat.

 

It is so much fun when the birds and animals respond to you. Will look forward to more interactions. We are loving it. Are you? I wonder!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© NOEL ELLIS






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