Many years back, when I visited the National Museum in Delhi, one of the images that I was most impressed by, was the Surya from Konark. I remember being rooted to the ground as I stood in front of the sculpture, admiring every detail, simply unable to walk away. There are various ideas of where the sculpture was placed in the temple, but wherever it was placed, there is no question that it would have drawn all eyes. I remember wondering back then, if this single sculpture was so impressive, how much more impressive the temple would have been! The first thing that struck me about the Konark temple during my first visit, was its size. I have seen huge ancient temples before – the Brihadeeshwara temple and the Kandariya Mahadev temple, to name just two. However, Konark was something else. It was awe-inspiring to even think of just how much larger the original temple would have been, with its main spire intact. So many years later, on my second visit, the size was still impressive, bu...
I know its 8:00 AM when I hear them sing. These are the Oriental Magpie Robins, the most musical among the birds I see from my window. These days, this pair seems to be busy courting, for the music is even more pronounced!
The one on the left is the male, clearly identified by its black head and throat. The one on the right is the female, her lighter, greyish, head and throat distinguishing her from her partner. You can see them more clearly here, as seen from another window!
These birds are fairly common across India, and, at one time, were in great demand as cagebirds, due to their melodious voice. Thankfully, they seem to be plentiful these days, across the subcontinent. Here is a closer look at the female....
Incidentally, the Oriental Magpie Robin is the National Bird of Bangladesh! Not really relevant, except that I am reading a book on Bangladesh right now :) Here is the male again, using its vocal chords to full effect!
On another note, this happens to be the first bird Samhith learnt to identify. To begin with, it was quite easy to spot! Second, we saw it wherever we went... and finally, its name sounded so exotic! Years have passed since then, and as today Samhith is sitting down and writing down a bird list (for a long delayed post on Dandeli), I can't help remember that his enthusiasm for birds began with this one!
I live in Mumbai, in a colony lucky enough to still have plenty of trees and open spaces. The best part of living here are the birds I see from my window, every single day. "Birds from my Window" is a series, where I regularly feature photos of birds I see from my home. To see all the posts in this series, click here.
A lovely set. Sometimes a window can provide for such lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mridula! My window is sometimes my best inspiration!
DeleteNice photos, Crisp article. I cannot imagine how eventful surrounding you have got!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dilip Mantri! we are lucky that way :D
DeleteHey! Thanks! I used to see these birds from my window right below yours a few years ago :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I so wish you were still here!
DeleteNice to wake up to these - and even nicer to know Bombay is home to so many birds :)
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