On one of my visits to the physiotherapist last month I saw a family of red-whispered bulbuls. Before I could identify them as such all I could see was some movement in the thickly growing bamboo inside the boundary wall of the clinic. I stopped in my tracks and as is usual in my case when I know birds are afoot close by, slowly withdrew the phone from my pocket. Or was it my handbag? Anyway, suffice to say the phone was taken out without the feathered thingamabobs getting any the wiser that the paparazzi had arrived.

I tried clicking them, unsuccessfully. For one they were lost among the bamboo leaves, for another they weren’t sitting still. After a few seconds of watching them, it dawned on me that two of them were little ones, and were vying for the parent’s attention by cheeping and pushing themselves closer with their mouth wide open. What a treat for my eyes!

Suddenly the mama bird rose from the bamboo branches and perched on the electric wire above. The little ones followed suit. Yup, I clicked them. Their red whiskers were not yet in evidence. Most of my shots were of their cute butts. Next the mama bird made straight for the tall papaya tree near by. Not to be outdone, the little ones followed her and sat on the branches of a tree growing close to it. Cheeping loudly, they let her know of they were hungry. Food, food, more food seemed to be the clamour.

Mama bird started pecking on a ripe papaya on the tree, a bright orange fruit. Looking up from down below, I was thrilled beyond words at the unfolding sight before my eyes. Mama then carefully fed the chicks waiting with their beaks open. Did I take pictures or stand there staring and grinning for all I was worth? Well, actually speaking, I did both.

Soon though, they flew away, back into the thickly growing bamboo. Now that their hunger was satiated, perhaps it was time for siesta. It anyway was time for my physiotherapy session to begin. With a satisfied sigh, I put my phone away inside my handbag and went in.

©️ Shail Mohan 2026