A DAY WELL SPENT

 

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

20/XI/2025

 

Today, Mr Murphy must have been busy with someone else. So, I could photograph flora and fauna I missed out on earlier. I thanked him and prayed if he could stay away from me a little longer.

 

It started off last evening. A moth called the “Geometer Moth” popped out of the plants and came and sat on the back of my palm. Probably, its colour matched my skin and it was a good camouflage for it.  A little ticklish when it moved but I enjoyed its company. It just refused to leave. It sat all the while I watered the pots and even took a photo of an passing aeroplane single handed lest I disturbed the moth.

 

Yesterday was also plant hunting day. I and a common gardening friend went winter flower shopping. Though a little early in the season, I found the most sought after plant for Christmas called “Poinsettia” in one nursery. I got hold of seven different colours. The entrance to the home now looks so beautiful.

 

With a heart full of happiness, it was time to venture out. My ‘Bullet’ needed some warming up. So, with her to accompany me, I drove towards the riverfront. The security guard was excited to see me and pointed towards the peacocks approaching. I winked at him as he offered me a chair to bask in the sun and take their photos at leisure.

 

Mr Murphy didn’t like it. In drove one of the car cleaners and parked his scooter right infront of me and walked towards the peafowl as if he was going to catch them. The birds got startled and scampered. Unbothered, this man opened his fly and let go his golden stream. What could one say! The birds didn’t return.

 

I then got into a conversation with the guard to find out more about him and his family. What caught my attention was his earnings. This guy was from a goat herding pastoral tribe of Osian near Jodhpur called Rabari/Raika. His family owns more than 500 goats and sheep plus many donkeys & camels. This guy told me he is “teesri pass”, but is fit for guard duties.

 

I dug into Rabari folklore which revealed the following. ‘Parvati” created the camel, but it kept wandering uncontrollably. She then requested Shiva to create a caretaker. Shiva fashioned a man from the dust of the Maru desert. This man became the first Rabari, entrusted with the responsibility of tending camels.

 

This myth makes the Rabaris feel spiritually tied to their animals. Camels are not just livestock, but they are almost divine gifts. It was learning for me.

 

“Saab, ped ke peechay gai biyai hai”, he told me. A calf was born to a cow behind a tree and he led me there. I just couldn’t help breaking into a broad smile when I saw this cute little cuddly white baby sitting on the grass. Mom was close by and keeping a keen eye.

 

As soon as I approached the calf, mom quickly came close. I had to take her permission to take a few photos. “It is twenty days old”, I look after her in my shift”, said the guard. The natural tribal instinct must have come into play. “Do litre doodh deve hai”. We don’t milch her, but let her calf have its fair share. I felt so touched.

 

I shut the camera and started for home. On the way back I saw a Kachnar tree in bloom. A few clicks caught the beautiful flowers. As I drove on, the air was filled with something very fragrant. It couldn’t have been an incense stick, I said to myself.

 

Lo and behold, I spotted an “Indian cork” tree (Millingtonia hortensis) too in full bloom. The whole tree appeared to be covered with more flowers than leaves. Alongside this tree was another bare tree absolutely sans it leaves. What species was it? I am not sure.

 

My hunger pangs were catching on. A little twist to the accelerator got me home quickly. Piping hot Gobi and Cheese parathas were waiting for me.

 

Before I got to devour them, I spotted someone unusual hiding in the Hummingbird vine. Can you identify this fellow? I wonder!!!!!

 

https://youtu.be/k-Xcz77-TQs

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS