Monday, August 30, 2010

The eggs have hatched

Hi this is me one of the three kids of Choti chidiya, and that is my picture you see there below.


Aha this is life, just get up in the morning and go on eating till it is sunset. In fact we are fed 3 to 4 times in an hour (that works out to be every 15 to 20 minutes) One of  the reasons why Papa too chips in to feed us. 
For you humans, home is a warm and safe environment. For us birds, the nest can be a dangerous place. Predators can attack the whole brood leaving an unsuccessful nesting season. That could be the reason why mama is in a hurry to see us grow up fast and fly off.
There you can see us being fed. After putting the morsel in our mouth (turn by turn) she picks up our droppings and flies off to deposit them out side the nest. (that way the nest is always clean)


But this place is pretty cool. The humans around here are pretty friendly. Curious yes but they mean no harm. We are three siblings. Actually we were a bit doubtful about the third one. We both came out almost at the same time but the third one was still in her egg and mama hen (the one whom you call choti chidiya) did not give up and there she hatched the next day.
In fact Mr H (Haddock) does have a photograph of us when the third one was still in the shell. But I don’t want you to have a look at that photograph as we don’t look very pretty in it. In fact I should say we look ugly, no feathers, tiny wings, eyes closed (huge eye balls, compared to the body size) yuck !! Those huge eye balls means one thing, that the size of our eyes are fully formed when we are born.
Here comes mama with more insects.


We prefer insects, but some times she gets petals or small flower buds. I have seen mama drinking nectar from the flowers. I am waiting to do the same. Sometimes she gets these yellow pieces of crumbs, can’t figure out what it is, but she knows best what is good and nourishing for us. 


 Did you see that look? That is intimidation. (not the picture above but the ones below)
One does not have to be a Dr Salim Ali to learn our body language.  Like when we want to intimidate, we look straight, both eyes and beak pointed at the bird or person. This was a look that was directed at Mr H to say “scram, move back or I attack” 

If that does not scare you how about this ?
Hey what is that sound? I can see that Mama is also alert. She says its not a familiar sound. Yes it is a bird call, but not one heard in these surroundings. I can see that Mr H is also out with his camera. He says it looks like a Hornbill and is surprised to see a Hornbill in this area. Looks like he got some shots of the bird.


Another dawn, another day. Its raining today. But its nice to see the humans go about with their daily routine. There comes Mr H with his camera. Mama & Papa are getting more protective. They are trying to shoo him away. Hey look at that. This is something worth watching.

Mama is going for the ground attack while Papa is giving  the aerial support from the clothesline. (we birds seldom sit on the floor so I am surprised that Mama is sitting on that hard tile) 

Any way Mr H has backed away.

He did take some night shots of us from far. This is how mama sits with us when it is not feeding time.

I wonder if I could make an entry in the Guiness Book of records about our mama and papa as the most photographed Bulbul couple in the world.
Mr H tried a lot to get both of them in the same frame (a difficult task) Aha  finally a good one


 (frolicking around the papaya tree?)

Hey why is mama looking down? Is it time for us to fly? Is she gauging the depth (in case we have a fall) 


For those who missed the earlier part where we were yet to be hatched, it is in the post called Choti Chidiya as narrated by mama.
I wonder if Mr H will be able to capture us in the process of flying off. If he does then there will be a further sequel to this (and may be in that sequel you will get to see our yuck pictures)

That is mama trying to figure out who is behind the camera.


47 comments:

Summer Ross said...

These are amazing Photo's Cute babies!!!

PurpleHeart said...

Very detailed photography. I can't believe how carefully close you would have been the whole time while she was living it away ! :)

Indrani said...

The mama did do you a great favor... such excellent captures.

Rachna said...

Such a cute story and great pics!

Jeannette said...

Lovely photographs and a wonderful early memoir from baby bird. Thank you!

S. Susan Deborah said...

Now Haddock, this is such a sweet way to narrate the progress of the birdie. You will make an excellent text-book illustrator for schools. I seriously think you should think of that option. With gripping visuals, captivating story-line and lot of trivia sprinkled, you can do a brilliant job.
Please think about that :)

Cheerio!
Susan

RGB said...

Lovely pictures you've got here and the baby bulbul's narrative is so engaging, making it a fine post to read :P

Samyukta Ganesh said...

lovely narrative...it was such a feel good read

kiran sawhney said...

Such cute post with such fabulous pictures. Truly awesome Mr H.

hamaarethoughts.com said...

nice detailed pictures..very informative.
gr8 post

Gauri Gharpure said...

what a fortunate and well-documented family...

Thousif Raza said...

that was a lovely post....loved it... great story telling and great photography haddock ji ;)

i loved the close ups... loved it which camera do you use??? plzz inform k... :)

and thx for dropping by the blog... hope to see more of you there :)

take care and keep writing.............

Tomz said...

Liked it..very entertaining...Only one with a universal outlook can write like this...a kind of personification or transmigration...

Lowell said...

Superb series, and excellent photos.

Ben and Carrie Tracks said...

What a great series of shots! Glad you found our blog so we could find yours - looking forward to following :)

Latha Nair said...

I envy you!
Well, who wouldn't?
With bulbuls and hornbills for company!

The post is great-both the
narration and the pics..

Killara girl said...

these are wonderful photos....love the expression in your last photo...the composition of the little one next to the peg...and the hornbill is an amazing bird!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Hello!

This is such an interesting post with terrific photos!

This past spring we had a pair of doves build a nest just outside our door. I had the best time watching the nest building, eggs appear and then the little ones grow and fly the coup. Here is a link to one of my posts if you would like to take a peek:
http://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/2010/05/outdoor-wednesday-nestlings.html

re: your Profile:
I remember listening to Jim Reeves when I was a child. My parents loved him and played his "LP records." I also enjoyed his very pleasant voice.

Thank you for stopping by my place and leaving your comment!

Kindly, ldh

Christine said...

What a wonderful story to go with your stunning photos. I read the first post too and loved it. Thanks for stopping by Haddock. Hope to see you again soon.

Courtney said...

Wow - great captures! Really beautiful!

Regina said...

Amazing captures!

Thank you.

CAntony said...

Great writing and beautiful pictures!

magiceye said...

beautiful series of lovely images and wonderful narration!

♥peachkins♥ said...

Nice shot!

Callie Brady said...

Very enjoyable reading about the Choti chidiya family adventures and great photos. Hope you are able to capture the fledgelings learning to fly. Thank you for following my blog.

Flat Creek Farm said...

Beautiful birds and pictures! What a darling story you have put together for this bird family. Thanks for the blog visit. I'll check out more of your lovely photography while I'm here. -Tammy

Farmgirl Paints said...

Those were amazing! Thanks for sharing. I love birds:)

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I wish a have such a good camera like yours. Great photos esp of the nestlings.

Thanks for visiting.

Ameena said...

Beautiful photos and a gorgeous story! Thank you for sharing.

Haddock said...

@ Summer Ross
Thanks for that


@ Purple Heart
Very true. I decide to record as much as possible till they flew away.



@ Indrani

Yes the Mama bird and me had a sort of understanding


@ Rachna
Thanks



@ Jeannette

Photographing them was easy as the nest was at eye level

@ Susan Deborah
Now that is one offer that I would like to take up, if some one is out there to give me an offer.

@ RGB
And in the next one the last of the chicks will take up the narrative.

@ Samyukta Ganesh
Yes that is my aim. To take away everybody’s worries for a short time.

@ Kiran Bajaj Sawhney
Thank you Kiran

@ Harman
Some more details coming in the next post

@ Gauri Gharpure
And there is a family photo in the next episode

@ Thousif Raza
Thanks Raza. The cameras used here is Canon SX120 and Canon SX20
Both are actually point and shoot, but the later is at the higher end of P&S

@ Tomz
My my, you have thrown in a lot of words. Now I am confused.

@ Jacob
Thanks Jacob, and for the comment you wrote on Peepli

@ Ben and Carrie Tracks
Thanks there, and most welcome to follow.

@ Latha Nair
Thanks Lata. Oh yes that hornbill was an additional surprise.

@ Shelle
Thanks Shelle. Actually that is the trick. I write based on the pictures.

@ LDH
Hi there, thanks and yes I had a look at that post (left a comment too)

Jim Reeves is the best when it comes to listening to country songs.
You too have a nice profile there. Read your latest about going to school with no school bus.

@ Christine
Thanks Christine, and yes hope to meet again.

@ Courtney
Thanks for that.

@ Regina
Thanks Regina

@ Christine
I make sure that the writings and the pictures match

@ Magiceye
Thanks for that

@ Peachkins
Thanks


@ Callie
Yes I did catch them flying away, one by one

@ Flat Creek Farm
I tried to make the story interesting for all age group

@ Farmgirl paints
Good to meet some one else who loves birds.


@ Ann
You won’t believe, it is a point and shoot Canon SX20

@ Ameena
Thanks Ameena, most welcome.

EG CameraGirl said...

These photos are wonderful and the commentary very entertaining!

Dandy said...

Those pictures are absolutely incredible!!

Kavita Saharia said...

It is one of the best birdie story i have come across in virtual world.....the narration is excellent,pictures are brilliant.A post like this needs a lot of hard work and sincerity towards the subject.A very big thanks for sharing this .Wonderful !
Have a great weekend !

Atul said...

wow! u rock superstar! i think i should start 'birdwatching' as well! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Fantastic bird photography!!! It must have required much patience. :-)

Unknown said...

What amazing pictures! I wish I could show this to my mother, she loves birds.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
HH

Haddock said...

@ EG Wow
Thanks for that, I try to match the picture and the text.

@ Dandy
Thanks for that.

@ Kavita
Hard work and sincerity? Well I did not do any hard work. It is just that I like to observe people. In this case it was the birds.

@ Atul
Superstar ? Well be careful while doing the bird watching.

@ Renee
You are right. I have lot of that (patience)

@ Heavenly Housewife
Thanks for that weekend wish. Can’t you forward it to your mother?

Sandhya said...

I too have written posts about the growing up stages of the bulbul birds. Your pictures are really clear and superb, Haddock! Narration through the bird is brilliant.

Thank you.

Sh@s said...

That was well-written and the pics are so cute. It reminded me of my own garden back home and the little bird nest that we had. Sad, the chick didn't survive as it became victim of a nasty crow.

raji said...

u have very beautiful photographic skills.those birds are captured so well!

Haddock said...

@ Sandhya
Good to know that you enjoyed. (will check your post on Bulbul)

@ Sh@s
Oh yes I witnessed the thing about crows. This bulbul couple don’t come anywhere near the nest if there are any crows around.

@ raji
Thanks for that raji. As mentioned above, for every picture you see here there are about 20 to 30 discarded.

Oklahoma Granny said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. We had a nest of barn swallows this year and I enjoyed taking lots of photos as they matured. I was amazed at how fast the process went from egg to adult bird.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Nice pics with the information..

What is the name of the bird which is in B/W pic. I have seen that many times.

Shivani Singh said...

You were right...i loved this one too. And ur ingenuity at narrating the entire was very fascinating. Yeah i feel the same. Just as we r ever so curious about them so are we the subject matter of theirs. Most of the times rather they are on guard while we r just curious.Serves us right.
Lovely and just too good.
Thank you for bringing me to this but i feel i must not miss any of ur posts now.
Lemme see how i can manage that...but u shall know.
:)
BTW the way the choti chidiya looks like our Red -Vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) but i could be wrong.
Did you notice any red towards the underside where the tail starts. If yes then it is the Bulbul and if no then :(.
Okay you did more but i had seen the cute and compact nest once of the White -Eared Bulbul.
And the eggs were amazing. Small eggs with freckles of pink and lavender.
Want to chk it out then u'll have to rummage through my posts of September 2010. This one having a picture of the eggs is titled 'Nature's Best Architect and Teacher' posted on September 15, 2010.
:) :) :)

Shivani Singh said...

Sry...i went through the shots again. Sry to have missed it but hey BINGO it IS the Red Vented Bulbul, my very own sophisticated bird.Now that you've gone through my post you would know that i find this bird sophisticated.Don't know why but :) :) :)

Haddock said...

@ Oklahoma Granny
Oh yes I did come across some swallows making nest in Flesseles (France) last month.
What you said is true, their process is so fast, sometimes I wonder if its the offsprings that come to build the nest the next year.

@Shivani
I had mentioned in the first episode itself that they are the Red Vented Bulbul.
A real brave lot, they are not shy and go about their business with full enthusiasm.
Like you said sophisticated.

Haddock said...

@ Anonymous
Sorry I missed you out.
That is a Hornbill and I had mentioned it above.
They are very rare here and I have no idea how it landed up here next to our house. (looks like a young one)