SWALLOWS ATTACK CATS

 

People ask me, how do I find ‘subjects’ to write on. Some suggest reducing the frequency of writing. A few said, by time they read one, the next one is published. Many confessed that they skip reading as they cannot keep pace. I take it as a compliment.

 

I bash on regardless. What happens today is fresh. If you sit down to recall later, many details get blurred or wiped out from the memory. Articles then will keep getting piled up without being published. My blog is my ‘daily diary’ or sorts.

 

Let me share an event which happened this morning.

 

This winter, one has been witnessing a ‘couple’ of “Wire Tailed Swallows” coming to the window sill of our neighbours every morning. They absorb all the vitamin D they can as they ‘sunbathe’ at their favourite perch.

 

It has been cold here in the Sun City since the beginning of January. Temperatures at night and early morning have dipped into single digits. Like we feel cold, so do the birds. This pair in particular.

 

If one analyses the location of their perch, it is the safest as far as security is concerned. It is comfortable too. For the two of them, it is like a huge sofa. Their back is covered as it is a permanently closed window sill, negating anyone attacking from the rear. The other side is completely open which is kept under constant observation while they relax.

 

People pay extra for a garden and east facing house, These birds come there and enjoy the morning sun for free. Plus, any insect activity, which is their staple diet, reveals itself in the garden, trees and shrubs gets detected with their sharp eyes. If hungry, they swoop and catch the early morning worm.

 

I was not aware that they caught flying insects too. I witnessed them live when I started observing their basking routine. They yawn, shuffle their feathers, stretch their wings to ward away lethargy and groom themselves. In between, stretch their wings to let sunlight pass through and dry them. If they saw an insect, they dived instantly. Once the insect was in its beak, the birds returned to knock it down, eat and continue to catch the sun’s rays.

 

Getting a good photo from the ground was difficult as they were half covered by the ledge of the window sill. One could hear them tweeting to each other very clearly. The early morning pillow talk I would say. Eavesdropping was never the intention.

 

They are conscious of my presence as they glance at me in between their love talks and shikar. They know that this man means no harm. So, they continue having a good time.

 

Taking a chance, I thought of taking a photo from the roof as they would be at eye level. I decided to give my body some exercise by climbing the stairs. Quietly, I unlocked the door. Those girls posed for me without being frightened. They were not more than five to six meters as a fair guess.

 

The real story began when these little birds started flying in and out frequently. A dish TV was blocking the full view of the real action. I thought they were catching insects in quick succession. That was not the case.

 

A dirty looking grey cat had climbed up and was sitting on the parapet which was a clear threat to them. Cats can go to any extreme to get their breakfast. Nothing like a juicy bird to start the day. The birds played merry hell with the cat.

 

These girls were so annoyed that they dived to pluck out hair from the cat's head. An attack with no holes barred was being executed right infront of my eyes. The cat looked perturbed and disappeared. She got bombarded by the “Kamikaze Bombers”.

 

The serene scene suddenly got disrupted by this cat. The birds which were sitting peacefully were now threatened and agitated. They evicted the enemy and flew away to their alternate perch I reckon which was not visible to me.

 

Having witnessed the whole scene live, it was time to key in the incident while things were still fresh.

 

Have you guys seen birds attack cats so dauntlessly? I wonder!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

©® NOEL ELLIS