Perils of being with a Bird-watcher
It’s been a year since my valiant jump into the world of Birding – refer https://dillimeriijaan.blogspot.com/2018/02/lazy-persons-guide-to-birding-in-delhi.html
So while I am having the time of my life, my family is not.
Here are some things they are subjected to
1.
Sudden bird sounds from my room. As mentioned
above, Greater Coucal is my Piece De Resistance, and I also do a mean Cuckoo, Rufous
Treepie, Large green Barbet and Coppersmith Barbet. Recently, I tried a peacock
voice, which send a family member scurrying up to the ceiling – because she is
scared of cats! I think the fine distinction between a peacock call and a cat
meaowing, is something I have to master yet.
2.
Frantic pointing to the sky. Very often, I clutch
the nearest person and try to show her/him a bird on a tree top. Amidst dense
foliage. The unfortunately clutched person can mostly only see leaves, or sky,
but feeling sorry for my enthusiasm, agrees that s/he is indeed seeing a very
beautiful bird. They mumble ambiguous things when I ask the colour and shape
and I just accept that birds can sometimes only be seen by chosen few.
3.
Glazed looks. Mid-conversation, a talker may
note that my nods are getting increasingly random and eyes peculiarly glazed. It’s
because I would have either seen or heard a bird nearby and completely zoned out
of the terrestrial world.
4.
Fatal falls. On multiple occasions, I have been
pulled back from a precipice, edge of a water body and once, a bridge. Where I would
have leaned over, precariously poised to capture a bird on camera. I have come
away delighted, with amazing photos but those with me have surely gained a grey
hair or two.
While the family barely shares the enthusiasm and tolerates
it as a whim of a middle-aged relative, I know they are subconsciously listening
in, looking out and observing more. They can’t help but point out that those ubiquitous green birds
are NOT parrots but parakeets.
I know their ears perk up on hearing an Oriental Magpie Robin sing.
And what fills my soul with joy, is that they have discovered true happiness, just sitting in a green spot, simply using their eyes, ears, nose and heart – and letting out a sigh of contentment.
I know their ears perk up on hearing an Oriental Magpie Robin sing.
And what fills my soul with joy, is that they have discovered true happiness, just sitting in a green spot, simply using their eyes, ears, nose and heart – and letting out a sigh of contentment.
Sketch Credit- Aggrieved family member.
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