ADDING ZING TO LIFE

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

26/VII/2025

 

It has been a week plus and it has been cloudy, just cloudy. Where have the clouds hidden the rain within them is a mystery? Every morning, like the sun they come and dance, grow dense and thin, move in huge chunks, and then separate for the sun to mark its presence. The water they are supposed to shed is being withheld for the time being.

 

With low light but the mood bright, it was time to venture out and click some photos of the surroundings. The birds were at their best, singing, tweeting, chirping the best songs they could sing for all of us since dawn. Some of course make a ruckus too.

 

The recent unusual evening activity of the ‘Wire Tailed Swallows’ had to be investigated. They were seen very regularly on our neighbours roof and its thereabouts. Nesting was one reason for them to stick to one place. In between they do fly to our house to say hello, but return as quickly as they came, catching some flying insects. These small birds are beauties of nature.

 

Lo and behold, when I focused on the arch of the roof, I got my answer. One Swallow was sitting in her nest with her head popping out. The mud and twigs with which they had built their nest was clearly visible. One could even count how many times they would have brought that mixture of soil and water to stick it to the side of the wall. An amazing feat. A few clicks and I left her to raise her family in peace.

 

Moving ahead, I wanted to meet Ms Squirrel again. She was there on the same branch where I had met her, as if waiting for me. Today, she was calm and in ‘grooming mode’, cleaning her toes, her bum, her belly, and her tail leaving no part of her body untouched. Her sharp front teeth would come into view; they were her main tools for the purpose.

 

Ms Squirrel changed positions while responding to my calls. Where is your nest, I asked? She was too busy to answer my questions. Her beauty parlour session was on. How dare I interrupt!

 

Just then, at my feet, I saw a Beetle trying to hide under my footwear. Hey! Where are you going friend? I asked. Good that I saw you in time or else you would have been mince. It appeared; it heard me and went absolutely still on the parapet. Now that Beetle saab was posing, it was time to take his photo. I liked his ‘striped coat’. Bye! Mr Beetle and I left both Ms Squirrel and him to enjoy their day.

 

The same happened at home when a dragonfly which we as kids used to call “helicopter” came and almost kissed my feet. She didn’t stay long and went her way after doing so.

 

As I moved home, there is a big almond tree in the centre of the common garden. A perch for many birds to roost. I have been lucky to docket many of them over the years. It was time to check a very new bird call, which I heard for the first time in our colony.

 

A lady was sitting under it on a bench, listening to songs. Her presence and the sound were not disturbing this bird of which I could just see a silhouette. It went on calling, probably to her partner. I was lucky to catch her in my lens as this lady sat on a dry branch protruding from the tree.

 

It definitely was my lucky day. I had seen this bird perched high up on a huge peepal tree in ‘Mandore Garden’ here in the Blue City last year. I didn’t expect her to come visiting me. Probably, I wished so sincerely that she thought she would oblige.

 

By the time I could get a better angle Ms Coppersmith Barbet decided to get deep into the canopy of the tree, still singing her favourite song. Spotting her in the thicket was very difficult. My hunch says that she is nesting in that tree as they nest in cavities especially made in trees. I thanked her for posing and ambled home.

 

This bird is frugivorous meaning it feeds on fruits like peepal and goolar and banyan berries and loves to munch insects like termites.

 

It happens often with me that when one is not expecting models, you get more than what you asked for. The birds and insects know it. I don’t mind, till they pause and pose for me.

 

This adds more zing to life. Do you agree? I wonder!!!!!!!

 

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JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS