" Life takes priority - lesson witnessed "

Half asleep on a beautiful sunny morning in the mid of March 2013, I walked into the balcony and was surprised to see two feathered visitors flying in & out of my neighbors balcony. Though I sensed anxiety & a rush in their movements, wasn't sure of what they were hurrying for?

Red Whiskered Bulbul

On closer observation, I saw a nest being built at the corner of a pillar on the branch of a show plant. Did not want to disturb them in any way and I slid away, being happy that in the midst of the concrete jungle, life is adapting.

I stood stunned the next day morning, the nest was completed! A complex woven nest with dried hay. I noticed one of them sitting in the nest while the other was busy fetching food. This continued for a few more days. It was their chirping that brought a smile to the whole neighborhood.

Along with the pleasant chirping there was a new sound in the air. Two tiny feathered balls were out of the nest on the balcony floor :) when I walked in. The moment was tense with the parents trying to get them to safety. Finally they were able to hide in the bush and as if strictly warned not to make any noise nor move, they stood there and I could even see them sleeping on the tiny branch of the bush.

While one kept watch, the other would get food for the little ones. A few days passed this way and one morning they were gone, leaving behind a beautiful memory and a lesson to learn.

After much research I found the name of this bird and what they feed on.

When life has to find a way, it will, against all the forces and you won't find fear in the face of life, for life in itself is fearless!  

They were running short of time and had to find a place to build a nest and lay the eggs. Against all odds they chose a pillar and a plant in a pot to build the nest. Though they were vulnerable, little did they care about their own safety. As soon as the offspring were out of the nest, their prime focus was to get them to safety, risking their own. Why would you live in a small house when life has given you wings to venture to the wild!