MEETING THE FLOCK

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

05/III/2025

 

I had a good tête-à-tête with my new friend of this season, the “Yellow Footed Green Pigeon” and her partner yesterday. I took the liberty of nicknaming her Greeny. I didn’t ask the name of her partner though.

 

They came, they sat, they posed, they plucked twigs and dropped some, groomed themselves, exchanged notes and even shooed a pair of doves away. I was expecting them to return today.

 

Just before the sun was up, I was in the garden awaiting their arrival. Birds were already in action. Many of them sounded the “rouse” around the trees of our home.

 

The canopy of the tree had just been lit by the first rays of sunlight when I saw Greeny flutter in. Moment, she landed, she whistled. Hi! I waved back to her. She acknowledged my presence with a stretch of her wing.

 

“Greeny would you like to see the photos I took?” “Would you mind waiting a little while”, she said. “Take your time, let me tend to the garden in the meantime.” I said. She nodded her head in confirmation.

 

What was the reason to delay watching photos? Did she want to bask first? Was she feeling shy? Such questions were making rounds in my mind. She is not the snooty kind, but then I had to respect her decision.

 

Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity on the tree. She was joined by her partner. Both of them got into their “romantic conversation”. Those positive vibes were permeating in the air.

 

I made myself visible to her again. We exchanged glances. Without any gestures, she understood what my intention was. She shook her head quite violently this time, as if to say wait a little more.

 

By then my wife joined me in the garden with a hot cup of tea. A sip sends a refreshing current down the body to get into action for the day. I had done with watering the pots by then.

 

I indicated to my wife the location of Greeny and her partner. She had a good ‘dekho. Passersby halted to enquire about our ‘centre of attraction’. We showed them the ‘couple in love’. Some of them confessed that they were seeing this species for the first time.

 

Then Greeny called for me. “Yes your highness”, I said. “Sorry to make you wait”. “I am waiting for my family to arrive who are just round the corner”.  Just then there was commotion. Six more beauties flapped in making their total strength to eight.

 

It was an unbelievable spectacle. All of them looked so majestic high up on the tree. We just let them be. They chit chatted, loitered around the branches, did some straightening of their feathers, stole a kiss or two and whistled at the top of their voices.

 

Then Greeny introduced them to us. This is my friend Teeny, I waived to say hello. On the last branch to my right are Uncle Sheeny and his wife Queeny. The pair behind us are cousin Shaun and his would be Shiny. The one who is aloof is Crooney, he can whistle all day. One which was left out was brother Tony. I couldn’t make out the difference between them, but nevertheless. It was our privilege that they considered us to be part of their flock.

 

They got a little fidgety when a pair of doves joined them high above. Pigeons were in numbers. They walked on those branches and shook them till the doves got disbalanced and had no choice but to leave. With the mission achieved, pigeons went back to an uninterrupted chatter.

 

I was a little sceptical, if she would approve the photos. Greeny did. She pointed out a few which were out of focus and shaky which I deleted later. I promised her to stabilise my hands more next time. I also requested her to freeze for a little while at one place to give me a good shot. She winked at me. I blew her a flying kiss.

 

“Come again”, I said. She whistled and told me that they all have a very busy day ahead. The predators are on the prowl and they have a very small window to bask, find twigs, make their nest, feed in between and hide most of the day. I wished all of them luck.

 

Just then a Kite came flying overhead. One call and all eight of them took off and vanished. It was like a fly past by the Airforce aerobatic team over our heads. An hour had passed without us realising it. I had to pot plants before the sun got too hot.

 

Will Greeny get the whole flock to visit us again? I wonder!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS