A SIP AND A DRINK

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

07/IV/2025

 

Evening time is when we visit the rooftop garden for three things. One is to top up all waterlily tubs with water and spraying the Adeniums but most importantly feeding the fish. They all look forward to my visit. The fish congregate on the surface, sometimes admonishing me for being late. A bonus is a photo or two.

 

Having done those chores, I stand and watch the sun go down. Sometimes one gets to capture the evening moon. Birds get ready to leave for their respective perches. Some are still in hunting mode and look for insects which dare to fly a little early rather than after dark. Some rush to grain feeders to enjoy dinner before saying good night.

 

However, there are three pairs of regular visitors who have to come and say hello to me. Lovey & Dovey, the lovely pair of doves. Having done lots of coochy-cooing during the day and having topped up their tummies with grain, they come over to the roof to drink ‘one for the tree’ before their retire for the day.

 

One thing I noticed is that they do not drink water from the plastic tubs. They make a beeline for the shallow earthen troughs in which we grow other water plants. There had to be a reason for this choice which I found out accidently.

 

Sometimes, algae spreads on the surface of the tub. To clean it one has to dip his hands. I did so in both the plastic tubs and the earthen troughs.

 

The earthen trough water was much cooler than the plastic tub. We humans have started chilling water in our refrigerators and making ice. It seems the birds too like the water that way.

 

Then there are two pairs of Bulbul and Chulbul. One with a yellow bottom and the other with a red bottom. The red ones are shy and hang around the roof frolicking around but the yellow bottom ones are friendly. They come as close as an arms length. They ain’t scared of me.

 

They hop around the waterlily tubs but have rarely seen them sipping water. They go under the overhanging waterlily leaves and flap their wings. Moths and insects hiding there get disturbed and dinner gets served for them. Probably the liquid in those insects provides them the required water.

 

However, those naughty girls are a reason for why I need to top the troughs daily. These darlings take a dip in the earthen pots as if they are their bath tubs. A dip and a shake and repeat scatters water over the sides and by evening there is hardly any water left. To keep the fish alive, one has to top them up every evening.

 

Blackie and Brownie, the pair of Sunbirds, are regular visitors as well. The girls are shy but not afraid. If they have to drink, they fly to the trough without bothering me if I am there or any other bird is already sitting on the ledge for a drink.

 

The difference is that Blackie and Brownie take two long sips and move on. Lovey-Dovey take one long gulp till they have quenched their thirst. Bulbul & Chulbul take short sips. Maybe, three or four depending on how thirsty they are.

 

The common thing amongst these birds is that after every sip they look up to the sky to thank the heavens for what they have just received and I like that habit.

 

However, the moment I lift my camera to catch them drinking water they get conscious. Obviously, I too do not like to be photographed while eating in a wedding dinner but the cameraman ensures that as a bite nears your mouth he goes click. I can understand the bird's predicament.

 

Now that they all are full with grains, insects, and water, they can have a comfortable night in their respective perches. I bid them farewell and moved to pen down my thoughts. Can you guys relate to what I say? I wonder!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS