LT COL NOEL ELLIS
24/XI/2025
Mission was half done yesterday
when I missed photographing the peafowl. However, it was a great learning
experience when I met a tribal herdsman who was a security guard at the
riverfront gate. He knew how to handle cattle well. I went to accomplish what I
couldn’t yesterday.
People ask me how do I find
subjects to write everyday. Well, it is a matter of leaving your “comfort
zone”. Move around in nature, feel the breeze, smell the flowers, touch a
plant, appreciate the greenery, pet a stray dog, cat, or cow. There are many reasons
to be happy for no reason at all.
I reached the gate. The guard was
not present there. The choice was to go out or stay inside the premises so that
birds do not get startled and come to feast on the grain spread for them.
There is this Pipal tree next to
the gate. It is laden with fruit. Bird activity was in full swing. I saw many
bulbuls picking on its fruit. After having roti at our place, they come for
dessert here, was a passing thought.
Just then there was a little
commotion in the tree. More birds joined in. I had not noticed that a family of
four Koels had come to eat the fruit too. This is for the first time I saw them
eat the ‘pipal fig’.
My presence and the presence of
the stray cows whom I met a day prior did not bother the birds. As I stepped
out of the gate, the cows moved closer expecting eats. But alas, I was empty
handed. They sensed it and walked away.
The hubbub in the tree was not
restricted to Koels only. A flock of green pigeons also came into view. I just
couldn’t hold my finger to press the camera button. They also came to enjoy the
small pea sized fruit. Due to the thick foliage of the tree, one could not get
a clear picture, but in between they exposed themselves for a great click.
Birds were being possessive. None
of them wanted the others to feed. There used to be a scuffle between the
bulbuls, koels and green pigeons. With so much fruit, birds did not engage in a
fight but shifted from branch to branch. It was a pleasure to watch them.
Nature tells them the fruits have
ripened. Out of a bunch, they knew which fruit was ripe and which one was raw.
Unlike humans, from every pod they ate one or two. They took what they needed
to have a tummy full and flew away, leaving that space for other birds to have
their fill.
Just then I spotted a very
unusual bird. It is rare to spot. She also had the same goal of eating
the fruit of this tree. They had come as a family. I clicked Papa Barbet, Mama
Barbet and Baby Barbet but in different frames. Nevertheless, my day was made.
To find such a beautiful bird and
that too with ‘Mechanised Infantry’ colours of red, yellow, and black was more
than one had asked for. The family ate quickly and moved on.
Just then the security guard
appeared. First thing, he brought the cows rotis which people leave in a
polythene. Some of the cows get aggressive and charge. With their sharp horns
and violent stance people especially, children get scared. This man has a dedicated
place where some stones are placed at a distance from each other, where he
feeds them.
Cows and Oxen made a beeline for
breakfast. All this was being observed from the side of my eye. The peafowl
were calling but not approaching because of my presence. I let them wait a
while as my camera was in action from the exact spot where they feed.
I had observed that the calf I
met yesterday was missing. I asked the guard, where is the cutie pie? He asked
me instead, Aaj Amavasya hai kya? Is it “no moon” today? I said, I am not aware
and he went on to check the boundary wall. What was the connection between
Amavasya and the calf being missing from the place where mom and calf are found
daily?
When the guard returned, I asked
him what he meant. It was new information for me when he told me that on
Amavasya, people come out to feed the cows in large numbers. I was not aware of
that. The Mom and her calf must have had too much Roti, that is why they have
not returned today. Hmmm, it was quite logical, I told myself.
Do you my friends leave your
comfort zones to be with nature? I wonder!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
©® NOEL ELLIS
Nice narration, Sir
ReplyDeleteThank you Atul
DeleteWell covered Noel. Thanks dear....
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteššShukereya ji.šš
ReplyDeleteThank you
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