Why the bulbul built a nest at our doorstep

Why did the bulbul choose a tree at the entrance to our house to build a nest?  Well, here is the story.

Our garden has feral cats, shikras and tree pies visiting regularly.  Needless to say all three are predators of birds.  The bulbul perceived less threat from the occupants of the house.
I Watched the parent birds and chick through the camera sitting in my house comfortably. Visitors to our house never noticed the nest, so the chick hatched successfully and grew into a handsome bulbul. 

An organic garden which is not manicured, but left to grow naturally.  That is the secret of attracting birds and butterflies into your garden. For me the pleasure of gardening is complete when I see it come alive with bird chirpings.

Please share the video if you like it.  Please also tell  what you think about the video.  Here is the link to the video.

https://youtu.be/csI7uur4mt8

'Valley of Flowers' in Gurgaon

The Japanese art form of flower arrangement was organized by the Gurgaon chapter of Ikebana International at Epicentre.




Avers Ms Indira Misra, President Gurgaon Chapter

"This Japanese art of floral arrangement is different as it follows a Buddhist philosophy. This is an art as it has a recorded history. However, with time this has also evolved and now there are three different schools, namely, Ohara, Sogetsu and Ikenobo which is the most classical style.



More than simply putting flowers in a container, Ikebana is a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity are brought together. Though Ikebana is a creative expression, it has certain rules governing its form.



All the elements used in construction must be organic, be they branches, leaves, grasses or flowers. The artist's intention behind each arrangement is shown through a piece's colour combinations, natural shapes, graceful lines and the usually implicit meaning of the arrangement. The container is also a key element of the composition and various styles of pottery may be used in their construction.



Writes Ekta Saxena in "Gurgaon Explorer"

"Spiritual aspect of Ikebana is considered very important to its practitioners. Silence is a must during practices of Ikebana. It is a time to appreciate things in nature that people often overlook because of their busy lives. One becomes more patient and tolerant of differences, not only in nature, but also in general. Ikebana can inspire to identify with beauty in all art forms. This is also the time when one feels closeness to nature which provides relaxation for the mind, body and soul."

For a slide show of more pictures please click HERE.

Gardening for butterflies

Gardening for butterflies slide show

Gardening for wildlife

Flaming glory is a creeper common in the North of India, attractive with red bunches of flowers. I believe it is an exotic creeper but it is a popular one seen in many houses in Gurgaon. Here is a slide show on the wildlife it harbours!

http://www.wildbytes.in/backyard-wildlife/index.html#2.0

Urban wildlife- survival instincts of lapwings

The red wattled lapwing is a regular visitor to our neighbourhood park. So I was thrilled to see three spotted eggs on the ground on 5th June. The eggs were laid in the centre of the Park which sees morning walkers doing their rounds every day (who would not notice the eggs anyway) and young children playing football and cricket in the evenings. To protect the eggs the bird had laid the eggs underneath a tree-guard.

Today morning (9th June), I went to check on the eggs. There was no one in the Park. But I was delighted to see two small chicks with their mother. The mother noticed me as I was still at the gate and started alarm calls. The pitch went higher and higher as I tried to go close. The chicks scampered in one direction while the mother went in another. Soon the father lapwing appeared on the scene and started shrieking. Then, an amazing thing happened. The chicks suddenly disappeared in the grass and made themselves invisible. Almost simultaneously, sparrows and Indian robins started flying around the area even as the parent lapwings held on to their spots. I was mesmerised by this amazing act of community feeling!

Needless to say I had to return without a photo. I could not help but feel moved enough to write this blog!