LT COL NOEL ELLIS
05/VII/2025
The stray cat in our lane has three cute kittens. None of them look like her. She is ‘Chitkabri’ that is spotted, one kitten looks like Garfield, second one is grey and one of mixed colour. I spotted them across our lane for the first time. Kittens needed an ‘extra diet’ as moms milk was not sufficient.
Mom brought them to the lawn infront of our house and sat in the centre while the kittens played all sorts of games from catching mama’s tail, to tripping over each other, walking sideways to attack and the usual kitty stuff. They looked healthy.
While they were busy playing, Mama cat walked over to where I was tending to the Mulberry bush. She was curious but moving very cautiously, actually pussyfooting. Something had caught her attention in that bush. I couldn’t spot it, maybe she could.
Remember the story of Mr TikTok the Chameleon and his shikar of a cockroach. That is what mama cat came to catch. TikTok was smart. It changed colours and ‘evaporated’ into thin air somewhere in the bush. I tried locating it but couldn’t. Chitkabri could smell it but could not see it, or else there would have been a well-fed juicy chameleon for breakfast.
Mama tried stretching herself on the bush, but finding a ‘super still’ chameleon was beyond her and me. She must have used all her skills for about fifteen minutes when she must have remembered that her three little kittens had been left alone. She gave up and gave the ‘mamas call’ to her tiny tots. One responded and the others didn’t. I bid them goodbye.
Yesterday, a small but bright green grasshopper jumped out of a clump of leaves from one of my pots and landed on the tile. The bright green colour was really a contrast. I picked it up to show the kids who were on the way to school, but then decided to leave it alone.
These tiny hoppers chew on leaves and mow down quite a bit, if left unchecked. Generally, I do not disturb them as they become food for birds. But sometimes they chew more than what they should, spoiling the shrubs beyond recognition. All this happens overnight.
What caught my attention was its camouflage. The Hummingbird vine is its new abode. This tiny creature would be just about an inch plus and merged with the background so well. It would come to sight in a moment and disappear in another, till I decided to catch it in the camera with a close up.
Last evening another “shikari” got caught in its own trap. As usual, I was on the rooftop checking the water lily tubs, but sans my camera. There was no watering to be done as the rain Gods had showered their blessings.
That is when there was commotion on the neighbour’s roof. I heard a loud thud and then Bulbuls and Sparrows came in a large group. Some sat chattering on the parapet and some went down to the floor. It was time for a ‘dekho’. This was something very unusual.
We have common walls about three feet high and one can easily look over them. It was a new bird spotted for the first time this year in our vicinity. A small ‘Shikra’ lay "spread eagle" on the floor with its wings stretched and mouth open as if gasping. Hope it wasn’t hurt badly, was a thought.
The sequence of events started to unfold in my mind. Shikra ji would have attacked a nest or a bird. The sparrows and bulbuls were in a chase. This guy sensing danger must have sped full speed towards the roof and dipped just slightly as he passed the front wall. This is what happens when you fly in unfamiliar territory.
There being no time to ‘lift’, it banged itself in the opposite roof wall and must have blacked out. The position it was in told me that it might need help. The other birds dived and pecked on it. Shikra stayed still not knowing what to do next. The other birds being my friends did not get scared by me but made sure that Mr Shikra was taught his lesson for breaking the peace of our area.
It didn’t take the Shikra long to find its wits. It ruffled its feathers and got up on its feet, looked around and must have seen me too. Then before the birds assaulted him again, it took off in a wavery fashion and then scooted out of sight to the other lane.
Two shikaris, and two masters of camouflage visited our home. Who won, who lost is not the question! Who enjoyed capturing all this? I wonder!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS
Nice write up with beautiful snaps. Your write gives a feeling of live feed like cricket commentary. Thanks dear....
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