As
the month of March is marching out and April is inching forward, there are a
few unusual things that I noticed in and around our garden. It was literally
about the birds and the bees. The real birds and bees.
First
was the change of place of the ‘humming bird feeder’. They came; they looked
around and made a ruckus. Tweeting at the loudest, like saying where has the
feeder gone? Who dare change its place? The hubbub was understandable until one
hummingbird found it. Just a meter from its original place became the bone of
contention.
I
shifted it to get a better look from inside the drawing room when these
beautiful birds came to enjoy the sweetened water. More than that, the feeder
was exposed to the sun the whole day. Imagine if you are served a warm rather
hot ‘cold drink’ or beer. A little shade may help, was the idea behind. Now
that they found it, all is well.
The
second unusual thing was that this year I couldn’t spot any Bulbul’s nest. They
nest in thick bushes around, but this time their camouflage is excellent. In
the evening while sipping my cup of tea, I saw a bulbul ruffling its feathers
in one of the hanging pots. The creeper is quite thick and must be hiding a lot
of insects. That was what I thought the Bulbul was after.
Then
I recalled, for the last two years she was nesting in one of the hanging pots.
That plant died during winters, so had been replaced by the present one. The
Bulbul did not mind the change in vegetation, rather appreciated the foliage
where she would be safer and well hidden from prying eyes. The chicks would
hatch not far from where she hunts and feeds.
It
is well covered in our garage, so no rain or hail could damage it. I liked her
idea and thanked her for choosing our home again to bring her little ones into
this world.
The
third unusual thing has actually become usual. It is the visiting wire tailed
swallows. They were very shy when they came to roost on our roof initially.
They found a place to bask in the sun in winters on a ledge. Now they come and
enjoy the scenery around the common garden while they take a break from a
hectic day of babysitting as a pair. Some "tête-à -tête", some lovey-dovey conversations, some planning
and chalking out things for the next day, basically exchanging notes like a
good couple.
They now do not bother about my
presence. They know from my routine that he will top up the waterlily tubs,
then sprinkle fish food, do some de-weeding and cleaning of the tubs and pots,
take a photo or two for which our dear birds pose and then return downstairs.
I make it a point to say hello
to all the birds who come to take that drink which is called “one for the
road”, before they head home. Some birds like bulbuls are inquisitive by
nature. Doves come to groom themselves. Some follow me around like shadows.
Then of course a pose.
The most unusual thing was the
‘loud hum of the bees’ in one of my buckets which hosts the white coloured
‘water hyacinth’ plants. I trimmed it hard as it had become very unwieldy. Its
roots had consumed all the space inside. There was no space for water or soil.
Their heavy root growth consumed the fish, which was a revelation for me. Fish
got choked in the maze of roots and did not find enough oxygen to breathe as
there was no water left.
Every evening, I have to top up
that bucket up as the level goes down by at least six to eight inches. I
wondered about the reasons for such high consumption of water. There were a few
reasons, like the plant is fibrous and needs to soak water to keep alive. Some
water spills over due to the capillary effect as the leaves overhang.
The main reason for water levels
going down were the bees and wasps. They keep swarming in and out of the maze
of the hyacinth plants. They find shade and it is easy for them to approach the
water without drowning. Bees and wasps love to fill their tubes with water and
carry them to their hives for two reasons. One, is to ‘cool their hives’ and
second is to mix it with wax to ‘expand their nests’. After all, they got to
store honey and make place for their queen to lay eggs.
I got the drift and enjoyed
these unusual learnings and encounters. Have you guys experienced what I have
in one day? I wonder!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS
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