Bird Watching in the Forest

 

As part of my Zoology degree, we had a course called Field Zoology that involved us watching animals and birds. We had many such field trips to this effect and one such field trip took us inside a wildlife sanctuary (Parambikulam, Kerela). There was my entire class (who chose this elective) of about 20 girls and 2 teachers and we were equipped and ready with our binoculars, old school digi-cams (“digital cameras”) and mobile phones that rarely came out to see the light, due to their lack of ability to connect to an internet connection. They were mostly used to call or text family to let them know that we reached safe and are alive and ok.

One evening we stayed in the dorm and had to be quiet as can be (but of course, how quiet can a group of college girls really be?) playing games and sharing stories and telling each other everything and anything. Ghost stories and childhood dreams followed by a good night’s rest. The next day we went trekking and traversing through the forest picking up leaves and trying to identify which animal crossed the same path before we did from their poop. Thrilled to hear the trill of another bird we’ve never heard before and watching the paradise flycatcher for the first time in all its colorful glory. Slipping and sliding on rocks as we try to take our group picture as a class, thoroughly enjoying ourselves in the process. (anxiety – what?). As we trekked out of the forest, there it was, a treehouse or something like it. Perfection and everything I dreamed it would be. I still hope to stay in a treehouse someday.

Note: Images are not my own.