FUN WITH BUTTERFLY WATCHING!!

Butterfly watching may not be interesting to everyone. Some might find it inspiring and some might find it boring (those who have never tried and experienced it). Sometimes it might be tedious and boring but like bird watching, patience paid off in the end. Butterflies are just so cool and bizarre and fascinating. Watching them can be fun, educational, and relaxing. It never gets boring. Taking time to learn a little bit about these creatures about when and where to spot them can make this hobby much more successful.

One of the best and easiest ways to start watching butterflies is to start from our backyards, home gardens, and roof gardens. In the beginning, most people might get negative vibes that not being able to watch closely enough and catch them coz it flies so fast and won't stay at one place making it difficult to observe to identify them. But what makes it different is how patience we are? If we relax and take our time, butterflies will appear when they’re good and ready, so don’t give up too soon. We know how much time do fishermen take to catch a fish!

To be continued ….

THE DAY I EMBRACE BIRD

It was during the month of August-October 2013, my mentor, teacher, guide Mr. Kamal Raj Gosai called me and asked if I am interested to get enrolled in a project led by him in the Rupandehi district on Sarus Crane. Without any second thought, I agreed to assist thinking my leisure time will be utilized and after all, knowing through field experience is more memorable than drowning in bookworms. I joined him with Suryaman Shrestha dai.

I had assisted the project traveling around searching for Sarus crane the tallest flying bird. Finding the bird and studying their nest was so much fun to know and study. More importantly, what actually changed my views, perception and broaden my knowledge, and grows more love for them is studying their behavior. 

One early morning the tallest bird rises as the sun rises and starts the true beauty of love and care by greeting each other and then the real magical moment happens - the spectacular dance of breeding pair with their trumpeting and unison calls. This display of courtship is uninhibited yet beautiful. 

One of them spread its wingspan, balancing delicately on its long legs, making a seductive curve of the red-jeweled-neck, and the other also made the same elegant curve of its own neck. Then as one was jumping and bowing, the other kept circling around the partner. It lasts for about half an hour. Then they retreated and flew past leaving us. However, in the case of pair having eggs on the nest, one flew away in search of food while one waits in the nest protecting the eggs, and roam around making sure the nest and surrounding area safe from others. This spectacular and magical behavior has truly triggered my inner core of heart and the intimacy I felt at those moments had never faded away. 

I had never thought of having intimate feelings for those birds at the beginning. Yeah, being an environmental science student and having an interest in wildlife biology I did had soft spot for the birds whilst, enjoy studying the cats and insects. I did not know that studying birds would be interesting, enthusiastic, adventurous and so much compelling. The day I watched Sarus Crane, the day I embrace birds has changed my beliefs and always remains a beautiful memory.