My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
While we sit inside the house in relative comfort, while it pours cats and dogs outside, look at this kingfisher sitting patiently in the pouring rain, apparently oblivious to the cold, even though it appears to be huddled up...
It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
It sat still for almost half an hour, and then suddenly swooped down, caught something in its beak, and sped off towards a tree....I was left with mixed emotions - I had been feeling rather sorry for the poor bird having to sit in the rain and cold, but now I was left wondering if that was what the bird had intended - to wait patiently till its prey came along... Does it enjoy the rain or is it just a matter of necessity? I have no idea, and am not likely to find out either... What do you think?
Oh how lovely.. to watch the rains..
ReplyDeleteI gues that lamp post is a very popular hangout joint in the bird community...
ReplyDeleteearlier the parakeets, now the kingfisher.. :P
They have started showing up on this side too after the rains.
ReplyDeleteIt is monsoon and Mumbai gets submerged by water. But the air gets fresh, all the dirt gets washed away and good you get to see to see lot of birds ....
ReplyDeleteAh hah! Now a white breasted kingfisher comes and gives you a show. You are definitely lucky...
ReplyDeleteI am sure that all birds are programmed to handle the rain comfortably.
lovely sight! so calm and content :)
ReplyDeleteStrange are the ways of a nature!
ReplyDeleteGreat observation.
Nice observation!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish to get drenched in some rains too..and I promise not to prey on anyone..hehe!
ReplyDelete