One morning, I set out for what was originally a casual walk with Makku. We walked along, Makku strolling about with me keeping a keen eye on him since he was not on his leash and he has a habit of running away on his own for jaunts in the neighbourhood. As I did so, I suddenly noticed a very beautiful bird flying in and settling down on a neem tree which was close by. Excited at this find, I observed the bird carefully and noticed that it Woodpecker. I couldn't find out which one though. This cute little chap sat on one spot, as if in a trance. I ran back home with Makku to fetch the camera, and thankfully, the woodpecker was sitting right there, still his apparent trance! Later, I had it identified as the Yellow-fronted Pied Woodpecker.
We then walked into what used to be a beautiful grassland, I saw an ashy crowned sparrow lark staring into my face with an angry scowl. Unfortunately, this beautiful place has turned into a dumping ground for construction debris. It makes me very sad to see this patch of land where mongooses used to roam around in the state that it is now. The only advantage I saw of these debris was that the larks love to be there! As we moved on, a hoopoe dug into the ground, looking for insects with a very determined look on his face. The coucals gave their weird, loud call and a shikra flew in circles above me. The golden oriole, which was making a nest in my neighbours house, flew past; the attractive colours being more prominent now!
Then happened one of the craziest experiences I have ever had!! Makku and I sat down under a gulmohar tree, looking at various birds while Makku took a short nap. A bunch of rock-bush quails crossed into the bushes. The lapwings cried “did he do it?” as they flew above. Then things got increasingly confused. A short, ugly looking bird ran across. Instantly, almost like a reflex action, I screamed “baby lapwing!!” and ran towards it. I looked in every possible place for it, but I just couldn’t find it! It was like it had disappeared with magic! Just as I was going to give up, and I was moving ahead, I noticed that had I taken another step, I would have stepped on the “baby lapwing”!! My excitement knew no bounds. However, I have to say that the chick was no cute looking, cuddly baby. It looked rather weird but its eyes were just adorable!! It looked at me with this expression of “What on earth are you?”
All in all the day was a LOVELY one, with me coming across these varied birds, each one unique in its own way. My only hope is that this pristine habitat must not be destroyed. Unfortunately, the deterioration has begun, what with people burning their garbage and endless numbers of houses coming up. Lets cross our fingers and hope that the birds thrive!
We then walked into what used to be a beautiful grassland, I saw an ashy crowned sparrow lark staring into my face with an angry scowl. Unfortunately, this beautiful place has turned into a dumping ground for construction debris. It makes me very sad to see this patch of land where mongooses used to roam around in the state that it is now. The only advantage I saw of these debris was that the larks love to be there! As we moved on, a hoopoe dug into the ground, looking for insects with a very determined look on his face. The coucals gave their weird, loud call and a shikra flew in circles above me. The golden oriole, which was making a nest in my neighbours house, flew past; the attractive colours being more prominent now!
Then happened one of the craziest experiences I have ever had!! Makku and I sat down under a gulmohar tree, looking at various birds while Makku took a short nap. A bunch of rock-bush quails crossed into the bushes. The lapwings cried “did he do it?” as they flew above. Then things got increasingly confused. A short, ugly looking bird ran across. Instantly, almost like a reflex action, I screamed “baby lapwing!!” and ran towards it. I looked in every possible place for it, but I just couldn’t find it! It was like it had disappeared with magic! Just as I was going to give up, and I was moving ahead, I noticed that had I taken another step, I would have stepped on the “baby lapwing”!! My excitement knew no bounds. However, I have to say that the chick was no cute looking, cuddly baby. It looked rather weird but its eyes were just adorable!! It looked at me with this expression of “What on earth are you?”
All in all the day was a LOVELY one, with me coming across these varied birds, each one unique in its own way. My only hope is that this pristine habitat must not be destroyed. Unfortunately, the deterioration has begun, what with people burning their garbage and endless numbers of houses coming up. Lets cross our fingers and hope that the birds thrive!
