Wild Frames Under Lockdown

 

Forced self-isolation of the humans turns out to be a boon to nature, with its wild denizen coming out of their hiding places to the near proximity of human habitat during the lockdown forced by the spread of Covid-19

 

 

Humans everywhere are forced to self-isolate due to the coronavirus pandemic, lowering pollution levels, which in turn have led to the unexpected prevailing of nature.  The coronavirus pandemic is a very strange, uncertain time for us all. It’s horrific. But there is a small glimmer of good news that has come as an impact of the world largely going into isolation; the planet is having a chance to breathe, and wildlife is being restored.  The birds which were hiding in the jungle due to human encroachment on their domain are out and about. They have started reclaiming their habitat, venturing near to civilization to such proximity that is an amazing aspect to view. I was fortunate to capture them on my camera.  The earth is healing.

 

 

We have been blessed to reside within the secluded and protected establishment MILIT in Pune, as my husband is in the Armed Forces and posted at such a serene place. I started exploring the avian world within the campus from my window and nearby places. The melodies and singing of birds were normal even before the onset of COVID 19 lockdown, but in the utter silence of the self-imposed isolation due to COVID-19, I started enjoying and recognizing them on the basis of Bird calls. I introduced my daughter to the bird watching from the window and she was overwhelmed by the mere sight of birds in such close proximity. Slowly and gradually, I started putting out grains and water for them to feed and it became the most happening place for birds as humans were trapped inside the four walls while they were free and they knew it.

 

 

What we learn is what we see around us, especially in the wild. Every creature in the wild was designed to serve a purpose. Humans, while advancing in leaps and bounds in development and technology, is yet to learn some lessons. COVID-19 gave us that opportunity to explore the Avian World and the world which belonged to them since the creation of the earth. We need to learn from the animals and birds of their raison d’etre, for they are here to teach us their way of life. The Earth has an immense possibility. I started taking out time early mornings and evenings to click their photos and appreciate them some more. Sometimes I watched them hiding behind the window of the common room and saw eating grains while I was standing barely 3 feet away! Such a close look was an amazing experience for me. From the early morning chirping and twittering throughout the day to the cacophony of sound at their return to the nests at dusk, there is music everywhere and they are free to explore the majestic earth in all possible ways. We are caged to enjoy them- the other side of the ZOO story.

 

 

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything gets accomplished”.  We humans need to look around and observe and act upon if needed, otherwise nature has its own way. Tap the abundance of the universe waiting for us.