Nestled in Memories
A family that touched our hearts.
A few years ago, during my high school years, I had a heartwarming encounter with a bird’s nest that still lives in my memory. It was my very first close encounter with the world of birds. Here’s the story with pictures from that unforgettable experience.
It all began when we stumbled upon a nest in one of the less frequently used rooms of our home. It was atop a window, and peering inside required some acrobatics—climbing onto a chair and then balancing on the windowsill. It took several days for the nest to be built, allowing me to witness their resilience and hard work in the process of nest-building.
Then, one day, we spotted it—the first egg. I had never seen such a pretty egg before. We still hadn’t encountered the mother bird, and my siblings and I began a daily ritual of observing the nest from a distance. The following days, we saw two more eggs. We had no idea about the bird yet. So, I started searching online, added in the features of the egg, and found out that the bird who actually became our family was a bulbul.
From that day forward, the mother bird devoted herself to her precious eggs, while the father bird made occasional visits. Observing these devoted parent birds was a lesson in patience, consistency, and sacrifice.
Hatching Day
Then, on a Friday when the mother bird was temporarily away, I peered into the nest and was greeted by the sight of the first hatchling. The next day, the second one emerged.
Baby birds are growing.
As the days passed, the mother and father tirelessly brought food for their growing chicks. Initially, they didn't have feathers, and witnessing their rapid development was a delightful experience.
First Flight
Finally, the moment we had been waiting for arrived. When I returned from school one day, my mom told me that the young birds had started to fly around in the room. It was a sight to behold as they took their first flight outside, where they perched on a nearby line.
They were ready to embark on their own adventures beyond the confines of our home.
Those birds became an integral part of our lives for a while, and we cherished every moment of observing them. This experience was not only heartwarming but also a valuable learning opportunity, as we connected with the natural world in a very real way.
Life’s Transitions
Of course, it was a bit painful to see them leave our home, but their journey to independence and the wider world filled us with joy and a sense of fulfillment.
In retrospect, this encounter with the birds remains a cherished memory—one that reminds me of the beauty of nature, the importance of patience, and the wonder of life’s transitions.
