THE LONGEST DAY

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

05/X/2025

 

Sunday is one of the longest days. Though for a veteran everyday is Sunday, why not make it special, a little different, little interesting and above all satisfying.

 

The day started well before dawn. The sky was clear unlike it had been overcast the previous week. Weather has become pleasant. Having attended to the garden it was time to join my morning walker friends.

 

As we halted for a chit chat, my friend pointed out to a bird in the common garden. ‘Shikra’ it was. Ek photo to banta tha. By the time I returned with my camera, it flew away with a big grasshopper in its talons.

 

It was time to say goodbye to my friends and take a few photos of the garden.

 

The first plant which had brought a smile was Golden Pseuderanthemum or golden eranthemum. Sounds like chrysanthemum. Difficult to pronounce but beautiful to look at.

 

After about two years it had flowered. The pinkish white flowers looked like small orchids. It is known for its ‘golden and copperish’ leaves and not for its flowers.

 

I had never seen this plant before when I spotted it in one of the nurseries. It was love at first sight and it came home. I asked the nursery owner its name. He did not know it and called it a ‘kind of croton’. I took his word till I researched about it today. Easy to grow and maintain. Not fussy, enjoys sun and water. Needs a trim twice a year.

 

I strolled to the common garden where a “sago palm” was showing signs of its “flush of fronds” sprouting. They will convert into stiff green leaves soon.

 

Now that I was on a photographing spree, I went to the river front gate. One can catch birds like peacocks & partridges. It had been a long time since I photographed our National Bird.

 

As I stood at the gate, less I startled the birds in their feeding activity, and a flock of pigeons landed. Stray dogs shooed them away, but they returned the moment the pack of dogs left.

 

There was a calf standing on the other side of the gate. Obviously, waiting for people who feed them everyday. There were three oxen busy eating grass nearby. This little chap licked my hand.

 

I petted it on its head and showed my empty hands, but it was looking at me as if asking me what is in your other hand. It was the camera it was interested in. Probably, it thought it was food. With some ‘hut-hut’, it went away.

 

I spotted a flock of peacocks approaching the grazing area. People throw grains and pieces of roti which attract all kinds of birds. They marched towards that spot leisurely and I had all the time to wait for them.

 

One out of the pack one seemed very hungry and marched ahead, startled the pigeons to gain control of that area, and called out to his gang members. I waited for the others to arrive.

 

While my eyes were on the eye piece, suddenly everything got blurred. How could the focus change without my changing the settings of the camera. I brought the camera down only to be confronted by a big ox, trying to taste the camera. Saliva was oozing from the side of his mouth and drooping in trickles. His snorting could have scared anyone.

 

Being on this side of the gate, I moved a step back. It understood that there was nothing worth eating in my hands, so it headed towards the peacocks.

 

Now, I had an issue with my lens. It needed a thorough cleaning after that lick. But luck was at my side. I turned out to be his steamy breath which had fogged the lens. The vapours evaporated and the camera was back to normal.

 

Just then people who had gone to the temple started to return. It was ‘bhago’ time for the peacocks. They ran over the embankment and I am sure would wait till the coast was clear to return for the grains.

 

I also closed shop and started for home. On my way, what caught my attention was this “Amla” tree which has a beautiful canopy. It is laden with fruit. It was time to capture them before prying eyes plucked them off and returned home.

 

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As I sat to key in my thoughts the doorbell rang. Three of my youngest friends of ages three, five and seven years called me out to ask names of as many plants they could. Fish in the tubs were another attraction for them. They went on for an imaginary picnic.

 

The day had just begun. How do you guys spend your Sundays? I wonder!!!!!

 

JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS