Sparrows

I don't know when the Common Sparrow left Bangalore. It is not seen in the city at all. I remember last year there was a picture of a pair of sparrows in the newspaper, seen in a flower market. It was such an unusual sight that it had become news. So when I was walking down one of Bangalore's busy roads one evening, I was surprised to hear the old familiar cheep cheep cheep. Loud and clear. Not one but many. And when I looked up at the small tree in front of me, there they were! I couldn't believe my eyes. Nor my ears. There were sparrows by the dozen. Roosting. Settling down for the night. I tried to count them - in the fading light I could count some ten. I still couldn't believe it. This small leafy tree on the pavement, the mad honking rush hour traffic right in front, and this noisy boisterous community of sparrows fidgeting and chirping, oblivious to everything around them. Their twittering was such a pleasure. I was very excited - the sparrows are back. At least on this little tree.

How and why? I don't know!

I have been going there fairly regularly now - in the evenings - just to check if they are still there. And sure enough, they are there. Today, I and a friend of mine counted as many as fifty of them on the lower branches. I am sure there are many more up there.

It is indeed a pleasure having these birds back. I hope they stay. :)

A lovely evening

It was cloudy and very windy and just about to rain...perfect weather for a walk, especially through the inner streets of south Bangalore's residential areas. This is the time of the year when trees are in full bloom, laden with beautiful flowers - purple, pink, white and yellow. Large shady trees. There are still places in Bangalore where you could find them - big houses and large trees. I stopped for idli at this really nice little joint a friend of mine introduced me to, opposite a beautifully manicured garden. I sipped my coffee. I love this place.

It was a beautiful walk back home.

By the way, happy anniversary to you Preetam, and to me! :)

The old gives way to new...

As quickly as the dry brown leaves were swept away with the wind, in just a few days the little bright greens made their appearance and now this tree is covered with fresh new leaves. It's beautiful. It brings me a smile every morning as I stand gazing at them from my balcony, swaying in the cool morning breeze. And reflecting the sunlight with that brilliant green.

And the leaves that are green turn to brown....

And they wither with the wind, and they crumble in your hands...

That's the story with the tree outside my balcony...I saw dark green turn dull and then brown and then yellow till one day there was a strong breeze which swept the leaves away in hundreds. A few flew into my balcony too...It's amazing how little things like these remind you of the circle of life...

So anyway, I went back to last year when we came back to Bangalore...It was the same time, same dry season...I remember I used to be surprised...How hot has Bangalore become. This was the time when Preetam and I were preparing to leave for our respective assignments - he was leaving for Shoja and I was leaving for the forests in Coorg. Time really flies...

So this dry tree here didn't have much bird activity last year - or at least I failed to notice it. It is still not very popular except a pair of Jungle Crows and a few squirrels who are permanent residents. But in the last few months, the tree has seen some occasional visitors - Brahminy Kite, Shikra, White Cheeked Barbet, Asian Koel, a warbler and more recently - Purple Rumped Sunbirds, Pale Billed Flowerpeckers and quite surprisingly the other day - a bright blue White Breasted Kingfisher!

And the last of the leaves that turned brown continue to fall...