My body actually runs on caffeine and hence it is the first thing that has to be put in my system in the morning though it is said to be not the right way to break a fast. On shifting to a hostel for my PhD, I found myself on the very first morning coffeeless, key-less and helpless. All efforts to locate the lost room key were in vain without the mandatory concentration of caffeine in my blood stream and hence, it was decided to fix this deficiency first. I found myself before the pond sipping the coffee which began to clear my head which resulted in me able to note the presence of an individual whom I hold in high esteem. I caught sight of a Brahminy kite right in the midst of a tree right at the center of a small island which in turn was in the middle of the pond and was going through it's ritual morning preening and cleaning. I had been mesmerized by another of her species a couple of years ago on the sea coast of Okha and was jubilant on having received this surprise darshan by the bird considered to be the present day representation of Garuda. She held her white head high and white shoulders broad above her chestnut body and struck an awe inspiring pose. I had not expected to see her so inside the city as she is named in Latin as Haliastur ( Sea+hawk) and my knowledge was limited to her habitation of sea coasts only. It turns out she lives near inland wetlands too. She gave me company through out my cup of coffee and when I came back an hour later to her - caffeinated, bunch of the lost keys back in my pack and hopeful of having my breakfast with her, she welcomed me and joined me by diving marvelously and picking out a fish of her choice which she feasted on. When I came back with my lunch, she was accompanied with a friend - on what business remained unknown to me as they chose to go deeper into the canopy which of course suggests quite a lot. I am very happy with my first feathery grad school friend and hope this alliance lasts. Throw out fish food waste, don't be too clean so that my friend who loves eating dead animals may get her stomach full.
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| A Brahminy kite (Haliaster indus) clicked in North India by Hareendra Baraiya |
Happy friendships day!
