It was not, as never is, about best frames and perfect pictures. Uncommon behaviours, interactions between them, sometime factoring in your presence were the moments where photo quality becomes secondary.
Treepie - who, usually tries to take nearly all benefits that species which are much less shy of humans take, given a chance, will stay away from humans. i.e. they wont increase proximity / ignore humans if doing so doesn't come with matching reward.
One day, a treepie comes, sits on the perch in front of camera and goes to sleep. It was evident that for whatever reasons, it was unable to stay awake and even when disturbed (by crows - but who were however restrained by me sitting only few feet away.), it quickly faded back to sleep. At first, I thought it was strange that she chose a place as near as possible to human presence to come and sleep (when usually she wouldn't sit there for long for no reason even in alert mode), but later thought it was probably using me as a shield against those annoying crows who wouldn't let her sleep at all otherwise.
Extra ordinary heat takes extra ordinary resources to survive and sleep is a wonderful way to save resources. Some took nap voluntarily, others who tried staying active still dozed off anyways.
ok, in above, it was probably enjoying water with closed eyes but on another occasion - one of its kind sighting - when it suffered a major major yawing attack. for nearly 20-25 mins it kept on repeating this every one min or so..
btw, dynamic elevation of your status due to your utility as a shield against another species is what I have experienced many times now. yet, you admire their strategy and execution efficiency every-time a new specie does it. The parrots wouldn't come and drink water if I was visible behind the window but when crows became bigger problem, I was suddenly a plus rather than a risk. She walked with amazing confidence even as the crow looked on - somewhat baffled by parrot's confidence and somewhat aware that its source was my presence - so conscious of my displeasure if he stopped the parrot, crow just couldn't react. Parrot came, drank and left without a problem.
If there was something most rewarding between all of these, it was.. incomparable joy of getting those ugly little ones making an appearance and before you even realise, they transforming themselves from so very vulnerable looking infants to smart, confident youngsters.
Above barbet baby, when came was unimaginably little - first shots are only after two three days of its arrival as it was very shy initially. it grew up slowly and was at the center of attention for days. There were other babies too.. babler, koel, oriole, crow, some came as soon as they left the nest, some were already on their own when I first saw them.
Let me end story of this summer with an episode, as short duration as an hour and few mins, yet, its intensity was such that if I compare weight of that hour with whole of rest of summer, that hour may still win easily.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growing up
We know that growth and learning are rarely linear process when viewed hour by hour. but still, witnessing the rapid learning can be a special experience. I heard this fledgling's voice and spotted it after a while. After few seconds of observation, I was feeling extremely miserable. the fledgling appeared very weak or even sick even unable to control his body to steadiness and constantly calling, clueless about what he should be doing and helpless as his heartless father sat next to him motionless even as so very vulnerable baby kept looking at him for help. He didn't even give encouraging look to him. After an eternity, the head shaking slowed, his calls become less frequent and after few more minutes, he stopped looking at his father only and started to explore. a non confident step and then somewhat confident. Curiosity and alertness started appearing with better control of his body. and after a gap of 15 mins when I tried to locate him, he was sitting at a branch a bit far and as I watched, flew and landed on a perch in front of camera with fluency as if he had done it a dozen times before.
All this time, that is if I believe timestamps on the captures was one hour and five minutes, the father sat there almost motionless, looking perfectly calm and I am sure determined to attack and defeat any danger that may come to the baby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment