Endless surprises

"In every walk with nature , one receives far more than he seeks . " 

                                                                         - John Muir 

For nature lovers , there is nothing called a mundane morning walk . There is always something to be excited about , specially , if you live in a densely wooded area , such as this . 

I discovered a tiny bird , no bigger than a palm , feasting on wild figs . It had a green body, red stripe on the head and red neck . Crimson headed barbet . 

I also discovered a tree called Arjun tree ( Terminalis Arjuna ) , the bark of which is known to cure diabetes and hypertension . 

Today, it was drizzling . Hence the embarrassingly brightly printed umbrella . I discovered a pond on the path that I usually take . It was right next to the road , fringed with reeds and tall grass , hence not visible from the road . A few days ago , in the pelting rain , the authorities got the reeds slashed by wet , disgruntled workers , who had done quite a messy job . The slashed reeds stood tall , still , swaying their bruised heads , some lay wilted on the ground , however , the net result was to make the pond 'apparate '( to borrow a term from Harry Potter )  hitherto invisible. 

The bank next to the road was higher than the other edges . So , one is not aware of the wildlife sitting in the shallow , grass filled edges . My footsteps disturbed a flock of twenty two (Yes , I counted ) grey herons . Alarmed , they stuck out their long necks and gracefully winged their way across , to sit on the low branches of the trees beyond . Following them , three waterhens skidded across the clear , dark waters . the last one , practically walking on water ( "Miracle ") with its long three toes , sleek black wet wings in sharp contrast with their white undersides . Raindrops kept falling creating tiny concentric circles on the water surface . Like an abstract painting .With jointed grass and reeds elbowing their way out , poking their green heads , beaten every now and then ,by the falling drops . 

Tall vines , as tall as trees covered almost every tree trunk , and horizontal ground , with their pale green heart shaped leaves . Entwined amongst themselves to end up as large masses of leaves swaying gently in the rain , held up ,tail end from a Goliath tree . Now you know where the legend of green swamp monsters originated from . 

Suddenly , the clouds part , like a reluctant crowd of onlookers , and lets the brilliant morning sun in . The drizzling is on .Each water drop on every blade of grass catches the sun and is transformed into a glittering gem . 

All at once , a drab wet pond is transformed into a shimmering field of priceless diamonds . 

Two tiny wagtails were doing their comical dance at the newly finished Kids park . Both had differently coloured plumage , one darker than the other . 

A flock of spotted doves flew away when I neared a tree , leaving a clumsy , wide eyed , largish , green bird behind . Lineated barbet . It stared at me with scared eyes , shuffling in the foliage . "Why didn't you fly away like the others ? How did you know that I was a friend ?" I asked the barbet . 

On the way back home , I discovered a large white mushroom growing by the roadside , in the grass. With a large fan like head , with a stout, conical brown stalk , broadening as it neared , and a  tough grey white lichen clinging to a rotting log.