An evening ritual !

 

This pair of Bulbul looked engaged in a ritual that caught my attention. 

They settled on a tall coconut tree looking around and communicating to each other. They received the evening sun to dry themselves before settling in at their night shelter. Their body language was of consultation and communication. 

Just as the sun was setting, they moved into another tall tree to hide themselves in the foliage. I remembered noticing movements in this thick foliage at sunset on earlier occasions with poor visibility. Till dusk today, the Bulbuls were in this location. I presume that they chose that as their shelter for the night. 

There are three thoughts that crossed my mind while watching this Bulbul pair. 

They were communicative.

They were exploring the terrain.

They chose the next move.

The ritual of the evening which this avian family pursued brought home a message about living by volition and choice. 

I listened to our neighbour yesterday about several recent difficulties he faced as a family due to sickness, financial constraints and large debt he still has to pay to the bank. Each day is a burden for them as a family, from what I heard. The stress of having to respond to multiple needs! 

I happened to notice yesterday in the afternoon, that he was watering the plants on the wayside leading our cottage. He happened to notice them withering in the sun, while passing that way to visit someone. Having noticed it, he took time to water it. I accidentally noticed it while I was moving around in the garden looking for bird movements. 

He lived a burdened life. Even then the goodness within him endures. 

The Bulbuls in the photos above have a daily ritual of finding a safe shelter for the night. They begin the next day, wondering where they shall find their bread for the day! This neighbour too lives with an uncertainty about each day, knowing that the bank can give an ultimatum any day to pay back the debt. 

What was common between this avian family and our neighbour's family, is the hope that they convey!

The daily demands and the resilient spirit within!

The sight of the Bulbuls hidden in the foliage brought a comforting message. Night after night they find a shelter! 

We live in a threatened environment. Think of about 16000 families who lost their homes in the wild fire, still raging in the USA. The language of invasion that the president elect of the USA conveys targeting the Greenland and Canada is a frightening message! The geographical stress due to climate change and political ambition to dominate are threat to our wellness. The three most popular social media owners have decided to stop fact checking before anyone uploads information in their browser. Another threat to social integrity and ethics in public life!

Amidst all these, I watched a ritual in this Bulbul family! The language of intimacy in communication and being comfortable in their transient shelter at dusk, communicate a ritual of hope and peace!

The behaviour of Bulbuls is a symbol of hope and peace in a turbulent and aggressive world!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)