The mornings and afternoons
are rather noisy with
avian visitors claiming their territory.

The handsome and familiar coucal,
with its glowing red eyes,
has just landed with a plan...
to visit the compost heap
and walk around the yard.

The orchestra is in full flow
by mid morning and late afternoon.

The tiny sunbirds hop in and out
of the huge Hibiscus flowers,
chirruping with satisfaction.

The twin woodpeckers land
on  their favourite spot,
the coconut tree trunk,
marking the spot with
their style of pecking.

The crows head towards
the loaded Chikkoo branch.

The yellow billed babblers,
chattering endlessly,
arrive in groups,
targeting the wet patches.

The mynahs occupy the grass,
their heads turning this way and that,
keeping  an eye out for stealthy felines.

The kestrel and the koel
drop in occasionally.

Not wanting to be left out,
the squeaking noise
of the squirrels and the
harsh screeching notes
of the parakeets, flying overhead,
add depth to the tune

and the day ends with the
loud  musical call of the Rufous Treepie,
practising the 'Evening Sonata',
the repetitive notes,
making me rush outside
to catch a glimpse
of its beautiful tail,
before it suddenly makes an exit.

Alas! The sparrows are yet to visit.