Author: Pradnya Gharpure

Once one gets into birding , there can’t be a better joy than a Himalayan Trip..

The youngest mountain range in the world is full of variety in almost everything, and avian fauna probably tops the list!!

I had my first Himalayan tour in 2014, though I was still developing the ‘Birder Spirit’ then… This trip did give me a few chances to make more bird friends, but the best part of it was the eternal happiness of being one with nature..

The misty mountains bring nothing beyond sheer pleasure… The mornings full of chirping of the birds, and the glow of the hillside in the midday sun, the peaceful afternoons and the breath-taking views of the sunset… The calm flow of rivers and the leaping brooks, the howl of the ferocious wind, the beautiful rain that hazes out all that’s before you and surprises you with an intermittent hailstorm; the crystal clear waters of the ‘taals'(lakes are called taals in Hindi) and the snow white clouds that seem to bridge the gap between the hills and the skies; its all so enthralling!!! Its an experience that leaves me spellbound each time I think of it!!

Nature is all around us, but I could realize her glory the best while in the Himalayas…

It was my next wish to once again drive up those blue mountains and learn much more from nature, and of course, to go birding!!

I had been to Pangot in 2017 and my stay in Pangot was the best time ever spent within the foliage… The 4 day stay was amazing!!

Want to know whom I met during the stay and what all nature had to showcase? Read on…

A HIMALAYAN DAY….

As the sun rises through the blue hills,⛰🗻

‘Good morning!’ , squeaks the Magpie,

With their elegant tails blueing in the wind,

The joyous cluster flies to the sky..

The Blue Whistling Thrush comes hopping next,

He brings his melody whistle too,

And freshens the morning with his own song,

With each note to say something new..🎵🎶

As the hills turn golden part by part,

The laughingthrushes come jumping in delight,

The ‘Streaked’ with a whisper, ‘Chestnut Crowned’ with a scrumble,

And the White Throated ones make a noisy sight…

The sun and clouds now play hide and seek,⛅

The game goes on quite long,

The Blue Capped Rock Thrush seated on a high twig,

Sings a sweet hazy roadside song..

The Grey Winged Blackbird, though he looks so black,

Yet so very well dressed so,

He gives a truly mesmerizing call,

Like a tune in Mozart’s Maestro..🎼🎹

Perched on a high rock in golden light,

The Upland Pipit whistles ‘tit-tit-tit!!’ ,

The Long Tailed Minivet on the tree top,

Accompanies him in his dives and flits,

Deep in the foliage and tiny in size,

Making a group of fun loving pals,

The little ‘Tit’ friends quarrel and chuckle,

The ‘Green- Backed’ , ‘Black-Throated’ and birdies all!!

The Sun’s now seated in his high throne,🌄

Showering his rays far and wide,

But in the shade, by the splashing river,

The waggy Forktails play seek and hide,

In the joyful cool afternoon breeze,🍃

Many jolly songsters come to sing,

The Rufous Sibia, Maroon Oriole,

And Blue Throated Barbet with ‘clownish’ wings,

With the swiftness of the playful wind,

Scurries the Treecreeper up the tree,

Within the bushes and near the jheel,

The Red Billed Leothrix bounces in glee…

The ‘Helmeted’ Broadbill dives down for dip,

With his blue ‘long’ tail in the air,

The Blue Winged Minla joins him too,

Giving a friendly little stare!!

As dawn comes near and the Sun climbs down,

The mountains look a true heaven,

The Verditer squeaks, the Ultramarine flits,

And Turtle Doves hum in gangs of seven,

The Grey Bushchat couple chats for a while,

While the Scimitar Babbler has a drink,

Beside the river the Niltava rests,

And the Jays lower their chatter as the sun sinks…

Then quiet as a creepy doormouse come,

The Kaleej Pheasant and Black Francolin,

They take their sunset site survey,

And vanish into the bushes for the evening…

And finally the Sun hides into the valley,

Ending a grand Himalayan day,

The cicadas and crickets keep the night alive,⛺

Awaiting the dusk of a new ray…

Nestled within the mighty blue hills,

Being close to Mother Nature’s a pleasure,🏕

With the warmth of a home and the softness of a feather,

She spreads a message for the living to treasure…

(I hope I could describe all those beauties fairly, because all of them are too wonderful for words!!

I would specifically mention the Grey Winged Blackbird for his enchanting call.. It seems as if you are in wonderland when his music echoes the forests!! A true wonder of nature!!)

I am adding a gallery of some of my clicks of the Himalayan Beauties to complement the poem!