FAMILIAR SOUNDS

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

18/II/2025

 

These days my ears pick up bird sounds which are not the usual kinds. Thank God the fauji firing at the ranges hasn’t left me deaf. I must confess that my sense of smell has gone for a six too but I can only smell bar-be-que grilling.

 

One of my morning walk friends halted for a short while at our place for our daily chit-chat. We were discussing something when in between there was a very familiar bird call. My focus shifted and I lost track of what he was saying. It was quite embarrassing. Kahan Kho gaye, Colonel Saab? He quipped.

 

They have been posing since the last couple of years. Their sound isn’t common. Last year, it came so close to our home that one could watch them go in and out of the tree across the road. They had made a nest there.

 

This call was not all that close but was definitely on a tree nearby. My camera came into action. How could I miss this beautiful model! The calls were getting louder, but the bird wasn’t coming into sight. I had to move fast. They are extremely shy birds. Moment, they feel the slightest threat or sense of danger, they fly off.

 

Then I heard two birds calling, as if talking to each other and discussing the previous day's proceedings. Their conversation was very intense, but had a sense of love and affection. I could sense it. What could they be discussing? I am sure with Valentine's day just gone by; confessions of love would be in the air.

 

The neighbours Drumstick tree is a common perch for many birds, especially doves. A dove’s coo is too familiar. They sit and sing when they come to our bird feeder at least three times a day. This call was very different and is called a “whistle” or a “conversation”.

 

As spring is almost here and temperatures are getting warmer in the day it is nestling time for them. The birds are getting ready to fall in love and are dating already. Chasing and wooing is happening all day long. Males are fighting with each other and females are playing hard to get.

 

Be that as it may, my elusive friend kept calling and got me to stare in that direction. The thick veil of flowers and leaves were not allowing me a good “didaar” of her. I knew who she was and was waiting for her to say hello. One glimpse of her and my day would be made.

 

With soft steps I moved in the common garden when I heard the same call from a different tree. The tree where I was focussing to spot her had gone silent. Probably, she had flown off. That ficus tree had very thick foliage. To spot a bird was difficult. Sun was in my eyes and even after shading them it was hard to spot as the branches were swaying and dancing in the wind.

 

Then there was silence again. I was not giving up. Knowing their habits, they return to their favourite trees time and again in a day. My assumption was based on the previous year's experience when during this season they were finding twigs to nest.

 

I froze at a place and then the same “caller tune” played. This time it was on the top most branch of the Moringa tree. She called as if telling me that she is posing and I am not taking notice of her. I apologised and took a few clicks. There were many branches between my lens and her. I could not tell her to move to a different branch, lest she feel offended.

 

I was in a dilemma whether to keep clicking from the present location or rush to our roof and try a different angle. I decided to do the later. Moment, I opened the roof door, she scooted to the lane behind our house.

 

That is where there was no obstruction between me and her. I took my time as she ramp walked on the branches. As I had guessed, I found a twig in her beak. My memory worked and it also meant that the nest would be close by. I was no threat to her from this distance, so she moved around freely selecting and plucking the best twig.

 

Finally, she decided to call it a day, having given me some lovely shots. I am sure they will come to see the photos tomorrow. I wish we had spent more time together.

 

Yes, it is the “Yellow Footed Green Pigeon”. She whistles to me to get into a conversation on her arrival. Her photos are ready for her approval. Will she come to see them tomorrow? I wonder!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS