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DEMOISELLES CRANES HAVE ARRIVED

 


 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

01/X/2025

 

The Demoiselles cranes have arrived. It was a spectacle to witness a huge flock of over 200 of them. It is my rough estimate, could be plus-minus fifty cranes.

 

As usual the months of Sept and Oct are a busy time for gardeners. The morning is spent in the front garden and the evening the rooftop garden. The tub water has to be changed, roots of water lilies which have overgrown have to be trimmed.  Let me tell you, it is a dirty and smelly job. Plus, it needs concentration as some naughty fish jump out of the water.

 

My ears pricked up as I heard a very familiar sound of calling of the Demoiselles cranes. I was filling fresh water in the tubs when I heard them up close and took my gaze skywards. Nothing was visible but the sounds were distinct and clear. They were definitely here.

 

I forgot the direction of the hose where it was pointing when I got the first glimpse of the flock. It was huge and beyond my imagination. Last year I had counted 105 in a photo I had taken close to dusk. They were around 1500 feet high in the air, the setting sun had lit them up so subtly.

 

They were communicating with each other constantly. One thing I noticed was that there were three birds flying in the centre of the inverted V formation. Were they sick, tired or juveniles, I am not sure.

 

The moon was peering at me. A few rain clouds were "spectacled" in the sky but this flight just took my heart away. Generally, I carry my camera everyday with me but as they say it was the photographer's bad luck.

 

Water got sprinkled on my feet when the hose got miss directed and got my feet wet. I said to hell with the “pani bachao andolan”. We have seen them eating grains on the ground but watching these birds in flight was another high. I kept following them till these birds became a tiny spec in the sky and finally disappeared.

 

I gave myself a shabash for recognising their calls. Their flight was slow and steady. It was a test of their stamina and endurance. The cranes maintained their formation like our ‘Surya Kiran’ aerobatic team do to perfection.

 

This year they arrived much earlier. Last year we spotted them around 15 Nov. Is there an indication in this? Does their early arrival mean that winters will arrive fast and would be more severe than previous years. I am just conjecturing. These birds know what is the perfect time for them to move. We humans have to learn from them.

 

Imagine having flown nonstop for over 4000 kms over the mighty Himalayas, they were about to reach their destination. What must they be feeling?

 

I remember the forty kilometre march during the commando course. One gathered all the courage inside oneself to run with that battle load as fatigue and no sleep was getting the better of you after a nine hours gruelling  Josh run.

 

These girls were now about to reach their landing ground to stretch their legs and wings. Would they wait for dawn to have their first sip of water from the lake, or would they rush to the water to enjoy their tot after such a treacherous journey?

 

Siberia to Guda and Shikarpura villages in Rajasthan is some distance to travel. Navigating and flying over 26000 feet in the sky must be a challenge in itself. Today, I saw about 200 of them and soon more than 5000 will gather. We are looking forward to meeting them.

 

Will I see more flocks arriving tomorrow? I wonder!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS

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