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Rendezvous With The River Terns

5/14/2017

18 Comments

 
River Terns are slender, graceful white birds about the size of a pigeon, with grey upperparts, a black cap on the head and a yellow beak. The tail is long and deeply forked and both sexes look alike. They are quite gregarious and their nesting season is from March to May.

Ahalya and myself made a trip to the River Tern Lodge a few weeks ago mainly to see them. The lodge gets its name from thousands of River Terns that flock to an island in the backwaters of the Bhadra dam. We decided to travel by train and got down at Birur where there was a vehicle to pick us up.

River Tern Lodge is an idyllic place! It is spread across two hillocks which are connected by a wooden bridge. The cottages are all on the slopes of the hillocks, with balconies overlooking the backwaters. We were especially keen to stay in the remotest of these cottages on the second hillock, which involved quite a bit of climbing up and down the steps. As we opened the doors of the cottage, we were welcomed by a medley of lively bird sounds. The room overlooked the island where the birds were roosting and offered a panoramic view of the vast expanse of blue waters of the Bhadra. After unpacking we sat on the veranda just soaking in the enchanting ambiance, with gusts of wind blowing across the trees which were dancing like swirling dervishes!

I was reminded of Thich Nhat Hanh’s words:
“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.”

Over the next two days we explored the backwaters of Bhadra. With the advent of summer as the water level recedes, small islands surface, providing the space for the birds to breed. In the smaller of the islands, prantincoles pranced around on rocky shelters. They are quite retiring in comparison to the river terns. These small waders are adorable!
Little works of wonder
In their feathered finery
Suddenly vanish from sight
Popping out occasionally
To investigate the watching eyes

There were hundreds of river terns on the next island. In order to not disturb them, we kept a safe distance, watching them from afar. The birds were flying all around fishing actively, competing for nesting space and mates and chasing away other birds which were trying to encroach upon their territory. There was a lot of frenetic activity going on; some were fishing, some were trying to steal fish from others, some impressing the mate with the food, some feeding the young ones while some were just circling around.
It was fascinating to see them fishing. They flew gracefully a few feet above water with deliberate beats of the long, slender, pointed wings, scanning the water for the prey. Once they spotted something interesting they plunged in an instant, reappearing with their catch.
They glide, dance, and climb
Skimming the water
With their symphonic wings


It is amazing to note that year after year they come to the same place to find a prospective mate and bear the young. With so many birds around, I wondered how they identified their chicks as their own!

We just sat there in the boat which was bobbing gently, marveling at the sight unfolding front of us. It was like a scene in a David Attenborough film!
Our forays into the backwaters offered us many a glimpse of other birds.

Do have a look at them at: goo.gl/photos/hJTnAszXoEi5jmNq7

Every time I savor the joys of bird watching, I am reminded of these words penned by Aristophanes eons ago in his magnum opus, The Birds, …
Hear us, you who are no more than leaves always falling, you mortals benighted by nature,
You enfeebled and powerless creatures of earth always haunting a world of mere shadows,
Entities without wings, insubstantial as dreams, you ephemeral things, you human beings:
Turn your minds to our words, our ethereal words, for the words of the birds last forever!

And Post Your Comments Below!

 

18 Comments
Stu
5/14/2017 08:16:21 pm

Another great Excursion to wonderland Dr Attenborough. Just beautiful!!!

Reply
Ragu
5/14/2017 09:06:12 pm

Thanks Stu! Time to catch up!!

Reply
Chauki
5/14/2017 09:55:34 pm

Your words actually create the ambiance of what you saw for the reader .Thank you so much,am tempted to pack my backpack !
Beautiful words of Thich Nhat Hanh’.

Reply
Ragu
5/14/2017 10:25:22 pm

Thanks Chauki. You must visit this place...amazing!

Reply
Soudhamini
5/15/2017 03:13:18 am

Magnificent photos, full of spirit. :-) Your blog brings the scene to life, sir (including the sounds of nature!) while words would probably fail an ordinary visitor.

Reply
Ragu
5/15/2017 05:02:58 am

Thanks Mini! Keep exploring the wonderful country side that envelops you down there!

Reply
Tony
5/15/2017 04:04:11 am

Mother earth is always in you..thats why you were able to enjoy the creations and describing beautifully about them....we are getting the feel of mother earth thru the words and frames....!!

Reply
Ragu
5/15/2017 05:04:19 am

Thanks Tony. Our forays in the Blue Mountains is still fresh in the memory!

Reply
Malathi Swaminathan
5/16/2017 02:32:53 am

Feels so Alive!! Stunning -ambiance, the sky, different species of birds, animals, sunrays..!

You know it, so do each of us, here; Yet, I feel like saying "what a super photography you are, Sir"!👌👌

Thank you a Ton Ma"m for that signature posture of Sir!

Reply
Ragu
5/16/2017 03:52:35 am

Thanks Malathi. I didn't know that there was a paparazzi lurking behind 😊

Reply
Ajit
5/16/2017 08:08:53 pm

Terrific and evocative, Ragu. Makes one want to experience all you describe so eloquently.
Liked the pics too, of course.

Reply
Ragu
5/16/2017 08:19:04 pm

Thanks Ajit. The place is amazing!

Reply
Sethuraman
5/17/2017 04:18:08 am

Beautifully captured !!
BTW, was the film"Birds"(Alfred Hitchcock?) inspired by Aristophane's The Birds

Reply
Ragu
5/18/2017 09:47:15 am

Thanks Sethu. This play is often considered as a political satire reflective of the Ancient Greece at that time!

Reply
Resmi Shankar
5/20/2017 07:00:52 am

You literally transports us to these paradises with your photographs and the description..as though we too sat in the verandah of your cottage and accompanied the ride in the boat..amazing is your observation and captures of their perch,fishing and mating..enjoyed.

Reply
Ragu
5/26/2017 07:51:36 am

Thanks Resmi. It's truly an amazing place!

Reply
Paavannan
6/10/2017 09:58:03 am

The pictures and brief notings about the locations gave a great experience. They inspired a lot to plan an immediate trip to the location. Flying bird creates enthusiasm in our heart. Virtually, on the sight of a flying bird, we start flying virtually alongwith the bird. it fills a lot of dreams. In each and every bird, a small percentage of our wish is mixed. Excellent experience.
The lake is really nice. I heard people saying about Manasa Sarovar. The photo of lake reminds those talks. This becomes our Manasa Sarovar. It really provokes to make a plan immediately to reach there. Till we reach, we can again and again visit this site and watch the birds and lake and fill our heart. Nice.

Reply
Ragu
6/10/2017 10:10:30 am

Quite true..when I see birds fly, I soar along with them!

Reply



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    Dr Raguram

    Someone who keeps exploring beyond the boundaries of everyday life to savor and share those unforgettable moments....

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