A Purple Heron on Christmas Day!

I do not remember spotting a Purple Heron in our garden in the recent years. I spotted one  on the coconut palm in our garden in the morning today, which was more than a delight! They are found in south India during the winter months when they are on the migratory journey. During the few minutes it was perched on the tall palm tree, I watched its body behaviour simulating some gymnastic movements. 

I feel good because this was an addition to the different sights and experiences of this Christmas season. 

A bird consumes our attention for various reasons. One reason for me, is to feel the diversity of bird behaviours. We have Bulbuls come into the dining area and collect the banana we put out for them in a bowl. The Sunbirds come to the Bell fruit tree and break the morning silence with their bird calls. The Barbets go to the fruit bearing trees in the morning one after the other in search of their feed. The Parrots come to the Mulberry bush for the fruits. The Minas search on the lawn for what ever they can pick up to feed on. The crows come to drink from the water bowl. 

For the visiting birds our courtyard and garden have become a regular stations in their flight journey. 

Some  birds do make nests in our garden! It is when this can happen the birds become resident  in the garden. The Bulbuls who make the nest can abandon it sometimes when they suspect that predators are around. This happened twice in our courtyard during this season.  They he nest below is that of a large bird like a crow.

The Bulbuls who visit almost daily for a look at the car mirror continued its frolic even when I arrived on the spot to get into the car yesterday. That is the level of comfort some birds can feel with humans. Obviously they want to be near  the human habitations for various reasons. 

It is now twenty five years since I started using a SLR camera which opened up for me an opportunity to be near the birds. 

The resident and visiting birds make our garden a theatre of activities out of which the bird calls and their feeding times are occasions to spot them to make them feel welcome!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)