DIFFERENT BIRDS

DIFFERENT BIRDS

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

09/VII/2024

As I was unlatching the door to pick up the morning paper, I saw commotion in the common garden infront of our house. Four ‘ beautiful birdies’ aka ladies were up to something. It wasn’t Yoga, it wasn’t Zumba, it wasn’t the laughter club, nor was it a clapping class. They were singing, clapping, and making strange poses. “Yogclapganazumba” I think. The day had well begun.

From across the street our car washer, a ‘huge burly bird’ wished me good morning. Mind you, it is the loudest good morning on this side of River Jojhri. I always wish him back but he repeats good morning till he hears me loud and clear. This guy puts me in a spot for telling me that “you didn’t wish me saab”.

For a couple of weeks, I thought he was ‘hard of hearing’ as my good morning is quite loud. Today, I found out why. He listens to old Hindi songs at full volume with ear plugs on while doing his job. I gestured to him to remove them and then wished him loudly. He smiled and plugged them back again.

You ask him for his phone number, he refuses to share it. He says that he keeps a mobile only to listen to songs. His blue tooth got disconnected and I heard, “dekh tere sansar ki halat kya ho gayi Bhagwan…. Kitna badal gaya insaan….”

Be that as it may. The day was sultry, not very much to my liking but the daily chores in the garden had to be attended to. Sweat started dripping. One could feel it trickling down the neck.

Now that one was already sweaty, it was a good opportunity to catch some birds in action.

The ladies and the car washer had left, so I had the whole garden all to myself. Walking on the walkway, at one end of the garden I saw two birds on the lawn. One lady was in ‘shav asan’ and into a deep trance. The real bird was very close to her. Should I click or shouldn’t I, was the dilemma.

I changed the angle and the ‘real bird’ kept posing for me. It continued hopping on the grass as if looking for something. I peered through my camera lens and found she was a ‘Finch’.

A beautiful camel, grey and white coloured bird was busy collecting grass and twigs for her nest. She allowed me to take a few shots and flew away. The other ‘bird’ continued to be in her state of rest. I tiptoed past her and moved on.

Last year, the finches had chosen our Champa tree to nestle. But unfortunately, in one of the storms the nest fell down. I remember counting seven eggs in that nest. We tried to place it back but all our efforts failed and we left it where it fell, just in case the birds decided to hatch the eggs. That place being tactically unsuitable, they abandoned the nest.

Storms during the rainy season shake the trees very vigorously. Such nests have no chance to hold on. I hope this time the finches would have chosen a safer place to bring up their brood.

I know where the ‘Lady birds’ stay but will the finch reveal the location of her nest? I wonder!!!!!!

JAI HIND