Birds are Always there for me

Birds are always there to greet me every morning I open the windows. Flights.  Tweeter. This is an advantage of having different trees in our school campus. Different birds come and visit trees. Some even nest and settle. This is a beauty of having trees around.
     Of late a couple of birds came into my sight just around my residence especially in the morning hours. I don't have to go deep into woods to watch birds. They come close to our windows and doors. Day before yesterday morning I went around our residence upon hearing unusual chattering of birds. To my amazement an owl was resting on a branch of a tree few meters from behind the house. A Streaked Spider Hunter was was around along with a couple of Red-vented Bulbuls and some tits. I assumed that the birds' chatter out of the fright upon the owl's presence. I couldn't identify what owl it was. It was more likely an Asian Barred Owlet(Glaucidium Cuculoides) going by size and appearance. It was heavily stripped (technically barred) and brown with some white spottings. It was perched restfully favoring me a shot or two in my camera. It's eyes were brilliantly open as if it had fixed eyes on its prey. I stealthily walked towards a tree nearby the garbage pit to capture the bird's perching moment. Meanwhile, the chattering tits and Bulbuls flew from tree to tree as if to indicate their frights. The owl remained perched magnificently and other birds flew around restlessly. In a tick of few seconds, the owl shot itself like an arrow down the thick bush. The other birds kept on chattering. I went down towards the bush to see if the owl was there. It wasn't there. I then came back to watch other birds.
     A group of Green-backed Tits(Parus Monticello) were still chattering on the tree. One by one, they disappeared into the tall trees below the path. The Red-vented Bulbuls (Pycnonotus cafer) remained on the tree while the Streaked Spiderhunter (Arachnothera magna) screeched away towards the playground.
     I came back home satisfied because I got some of the winged ones moments captured in my camera.
     Then yesterday morning, I went around again to see if the owl returned to the tree although I was aware that it would be highly unlikely to spot same bird on the same spot. No more owl that morning nor the tits nor the spiderhunter. Of course Bulbuls are common. However I was drawn towards the Children Park by the laughter of some laughing thrushes. They were White Crested Laughingthrush (Garrulax leucolophus) moving towards the Riverside gurrulously. I could zoom in one of them's brief perch in my camera before they move away one by one from tree to tree out of my sight. I was happy to have some clear shots of the bird. The Laughingthrushes are common in this locality. Often when we are in the nearby woods, their presence is felt with their garrulous laugh. But it is very difficult to photograph them in the bushes because they don't perch more on a same spot like some birds. In my frequent sighting of the bird, I have had tough time to get clear photograph of the bird. So yesterday it had been a sort of moment that the birds came purposefully to present me those better shots. The birds went laughing. I came back satisfied. 
     The sun was just up about 50 cm from the southeast horizon slanting it's rays upon us. Everything was brightening. The dews were sparkling. A drongo perched on a bent top of a bamboo. I felt a warmness surging in me when I could capture the drongo's warmly moment of rest.
      Red-vented Bulbuls and a Long-tailed Shrike are regular visitors in the school garden right in front of our residence. There are beans growing sufficiently. Now that the children are away home after their exam, the vegetables age and fall in the garden helplessly. So the birds take advantage of the fallen seeds. They don't go back satisfied with those fallen ones. They claim the ones on the plants too. So when they perch on the stakes to claim beans, I get better shot of their labour. As their company, bees are always there buzzing from flower to flower of the overgrown spinaches in the garden. Soon these yellow flowers will turn into seeds and more birds will visit to claim the seeds. And more shots I will have of the winged ones if I spend my vacation here.
     I am blessed to have eyes for the birds. In my pleasure of watching and photographing birds, I draw myself towards nature better. And better I feel at a spot of birds when I feel low in the flow of my life.
     Finally if you wanna have birds around, plant trees.

Police Meets the People

Public awareness on everything is very important in this information and technology world. Moreover to withstand unprecedented changes rolling in front of us at a tick of time, it is very important to remain updated, aware and informed. If not we will lose track of the time we live.
     Yesterday evening, a group of three policemen from Panbang had an awareness session with the people of the community. They were here to sensitize the people of some basic laws the people should be aware of and observe.
     They highlighted on some pressing societal issues, the ever increasing youth issues, domestic violence, alcoholism, disputes and vandalism. Every issue was presented with some possible impacts and degree of punishment.
     The spokesperson urged the gathering to take extra care of their children and guide them towards right path before they become liabilities to them and problem in community. He advised the people that they should remain alert of their children's world, their behaviors, their company and their habits. It had been timely program for the people that they would have been reinforced to take care of their children who are coming for a long vacation.  Free from their teachers' eyes and words, some children may loose their track of good habits they observe in their schools if their parents are too much liberal with them.
    Domestic violence is one issue that keeps escalating with change in time, the spokesperson said. Therfore he urged the gathering to create harmony in the family. Although domestic violence has not a big issue in this community,  it had been enlightening for the people to have lights on the impact of the issue in the family and the community. They were warned of how their children would suffer because of domestic violence.
     Then we shouldn't aim to become rich in short time, the spokesperson warned the gathering. He reasoned  that the main cause of chorten vandalism springs out of one's desire to prosper in short time without much sweat. He reinforced the people that they should not indulge in any sort of corruption and evils that would punish them one day or other. He went on to say, when you are detained for your misdeeds, it is not only you who is punished, your spouse and children are punished too. I have seen wisdom in that. Truly if father in a family is convicted out of some misdemeanor, the family empire will wreck and the children will suffer in his absence. Therfore it is best for us not to indulge in any sort of misdemeanor and violence, the spokesperson urged the people eloquently.
     Finally he called for the people's support towards the police force especially in informing them of any sort of crime and issues that may spring in the community. So that we can help you and serve you better, they said.
     It was very educative program. When people are least aware of even basic laws due to lack of better awareness media, an awareness program will surely help them. No doubt media such as TV, radio, and cell phones are in place in the community.  But sadly those media are mere entertainment source to the people. Forget about the people in a rural setting, when even some elite ones take media as mere source of entertainment and time killer. Therefore,  program such as yesterday's will surely create awareness among the people. The people might have taken home some precautionary lessons that will benefit them in particular and the community in general.

Nature Will Always be the Best

When my heart is in accord with the nature, everything sparkles with life. The moment I am in the heart of the nature, everything seems lively and wonderful,  the colour, the grandeur, the music and the splendor of the mother nature. The healing sensation and refreshing feelings the nature blesses me are beyond my conscience to express.
     Yesterday I walked up the Nganglatrong path in search of my misplaced backup charger. I knew that it would be a mere waste of time. It was just my assumption that the charger got slipped out of my hamchu when I was on my way to offer Tashi khadar (ceremonial scarf) to the recently elected local leaders of the Ngangla Gewog. Actually I absent-mindedly lost the thing. However just to confirm my assumption, I went for the search.
     At the same time I was prepared not to regret over the tiring uphill walk if I wouldn't find my charger.
     With my camera in my hood shirt pocket and a sack rolled under my arms I began my search. I looked mostly the right side of the path because our gho's opening is at our right. The path was thickly carpeted with fallen leaves. Some leaves were falling to further thicken the carpeted path. Few birds were in sight. I froze my movement whenever I could sight a bird or two in the branches or bushes. I took photos if I could and savour the captures. When I couldn't capture the birds due to the delay in taking out the camera or missing the light shots on my subject, I calm myself with a thought that I would be blessed with better shot the next bend.
      Of a couple of birds I saw on my way up, a Yellow-bellied Fantail offered me a perfect rest while blessing me with some splendid shots. As soon as my eyes meet the bird in a branch, I unzipped my camera pouch and shot out the lights. The bird flew away. And the camera revealed only blurred capture of leaves and twigs. I sensed that the bird knew my presence and took off for its safety. I put back the camera in my pocket. I resumed my walk. After a step or two the bird appeared again on the same branch. So stealthily, I stepped back and began to take shots. The bird moved back and forth from the skeleton branch and the leafy branch. I could capture the bird whenever it lands on the bare branch. Having to zoom more, I have to hold my breath in order to have clear shot. In that moment of holding my breath over a stretch of about 5 minutes, I felt rested. And moreover refreshed. Even more than that I sensed a sense of fulfillment reeling in me. I almost forgot about my real mission.
For being successful in stealing some of the bird's moment after few minutes of my walk, I thought I wouldn't have to regret even if I couldnt accomplish my mission of finding the charger.
     I resumed my journey. The bird continued its flight between the two branches, the bared one and the leafy one. Not forgetting my mission,I looked everywhere towards the right. At the same time I also scanned the woods. Few patches of clouds were rolling in the sky. The birds were in chirp, some near and some far. After few minutes up, some pink flowers appeared alongside the path. I don't know the name of the flower.  Locally it is called Choepala Meto.
The blooming of the flower is a indication that their main and annual festival, Choepala is approaching, the locals belief. By the time the people observe the Choepala which is about 10 days away, Choepala Meto will be in full bloom adorning the nature. I took a couple of shots of the flower and then focused the camera down towards the school.
    Then as had throughout the walk, walking, huffing, scanning nature and focusing towards right, I reached Nganglatrong. No backup charger! My mission failed. But I didn't regret. I enjoyed the walk and observed many things in the wood.
     I took rest for few minutes. Now I had to forget my mission of searching my charger.  Instead I had to execute the new mission of collecting some humus while decending down to the school. The sack that remained under my arm would be unrolled and filled on the way home.
    On the way, I was again thrilled with granduar of nature. Great patches of clouds in the sky, green trees against the backdrop of blue mountain and brown carpeted paths were priceless wonder I felt and seen. The birds' tweeter and crackling of leaves and twigs under my feet were so soothing. A mountain bulbul alike bird on a branch froze me again. I quickly pointed my camera towards the bird. Since I was facing against the light, I couldn't capture clear shots of the bird. Referring the bird's greenish upperparts and streaked throat, I considered a mountain bulbul. Though I wasn't sure about the bird, it gave me a perfect moment to capture some drongos in flight. Without having to step further and let the birds know my presence, I could capture all the drongos that appeared on a tree few meters from me till they disappear one by one in tall trees. When the birds were not appearing, I captured great colour of the nature inspired by faraway grey sky, bluish mountain, bare trees, clothed trees and leaf-filled paths.
     Finally I was back with half-filled sack of humus for the flower pots at the school. But my heart was fully filled with happiness inspired by all the elements that I came across. Although I couldn't find my charger, I found splendid joy walking through the wooded path.

Unusual To Experience Cold but Usual to Experience Change

It is unusual to experience cold weather with approaching winter going by the summer's humid and torrid days. As days become shorter, the sun also stays for short time. The sun appears at around 9 am from behind the Ngangla Hill. It stays, disappearing haze, drinking up dews, brightening the place and of course helping plants make food, and retires early at around 3:30-4:00 pm. Where as in summer, the sun peeps from the eastern horizon as early as 6:00 am and withdraws it's rays late at 6:30 pm. Thus I consider the short appearance of the sun as one attribute to the cold weather in winter. And other could be attributed to the state of the place being near a river called Bdarangang which is located at about 10 minutes of leisurely walk from the school.
      The seasonal flowers are drying and the grasslands browning. The farm road and the paths are becoming dusty and definitely the trees and plants along the farm roads will gather dusts until a rainy time. Vegetables, particularly spinach and beans, are in abundance. Cabbages and brocollis are beginning to claim their places. And with the rain gone long time back, the success of vegetables depends on the success of our dedication towards our garden. We have to water our garden every evening and if not once in two or three days. The privet hedge gardens in the school are included too. We make sure that the hedges get watered at least once in a week. We are blessed with adequate water and we are thankful to the Dungkhag Education Sector for supporting us with gardening pipes that makes our gardening successful in our own efforts.
     The farmers are beginning to reap their winter corn harvest. And at the same time they are turning towards their orange orchards as the later begin to colour and bend. Then some are earning cash at the school constructing the children's toilets.  Good number of young farmers are away to mint cash, some in Paro and others in Phuntsholing. As the demand of modern times begin to crawl in, the people are not left to live contended and happy with whatever they produce on their farmlands. The pressure to earn and own something keep increasing. The typical eco-friendly houses are slowly disappearing. With roads and lines adorning the places, many things have to put into place, electronics and furniture. And smart phones are no exception. The higher the children ascend in education, the higher their expenditures despite upcoming of three central schools in the Dzongkhag.
     The days are becoming chilly especially morning and evening times. And so is the people's lives. Although it is unusual to experience cold weather going by the summer heat, the change the people have to undergo is not unusual. They are answering the call of modern times.

11.11.2016

Today we had a wonderful school picnic. We could celebrate His Majesty the 4th king Jigme Single Wangchuk's 61st Birth Anniversary with all the happiness, cheers and laughters we wove in the moment of the picnic.
    

The Americans Vote for Us

Tomorrow, November 8 2016, will decide the fate of Americans of the US. Millions will go to polls to elect their 45th President. Who wins, Republicans Donald Trump or Democrats' Hillary Clinton, is a headache of Americans. I don't have power to vote nor do I influence the people through my opinions or whatsoever. When I don't even have a influence in my nation than just a right to vote how can I have influence on the most powerful nation's election.
     However with Americans influence all over the world, the impact of whoever becomes the president elect tomorrow will be felt across the globe. Therefore though I don't have a right to vote, I have a right to pray for Americans to vote for a candidate whose national interest and policy runs parallel with global peace and prosperity. The Americans' votes are powered with global mandates and responsibilities as much as they are charged with every Americans' voice and dreams.
     Now the dust of the campaign has been settling and the people may be seriously meditating over who to vote. May they also think of us who are helpless in the fate of the election but share a bit of aftermath of the election. 
     The Americans vote for us too. The American leader is our voice too.

Our Plants are Growing

Others may think that I am working extra when they see me watering the school flower gardens some evenings. But  watering flowers is not a work for me. I simply love it. I love to see the plants grow when I care them.
     This year my spring and summer share of hardwork paid. The flower gardens that we developed in the school have been successful with all the privet growing. The privets were planted on trail basis referring some ways of plantation from the Google and experiences shared by others. At first I tried right in front of my residence. Having seen the plants growing well under my constant care, I took my gardening further to the Cub den that was just taking shape. I was happy to get some helps from my colleagues and children. For about a month I had to water the plants every evening. And then came the rainy season that the plants got watered freely. The children did timely weddings. Similarly my colleagues tried in other places and they too are successful.
     Last week during his visit, our DCDEO Mr Sonam Wangdi was impressed with our progress in flower gardening. We are also thankful to our former principal Mr Sonam Wangchuk who introduced the privets in the school. I had seen him coming back with loads of the plants everytime he went out for meetings and workshops. It took great trouble to have the mothrrlode of the plants in the school. Sometimes monsoon rain washed way all the nutrients in soil that the plants disappeared. But the principal didn't give up. He came up an Idea to fence the gardens with concrete box. So the cooks were assigned to develop concrete boxes around the gardens to retain the nutrients during heavy rainfall. As a result the plants began to grow and now we don't have to bring the plants from anywhere for our new gardens. We prune the overcrowding and overgrowing plants and plant them in the new gardens.
      This year under my leadership I couldn't afford concrete retention fences around the newly developed gardens. However we mulched the plants with grass and other dried plants to retain nutrients and moisture. The mulching we did helped in growing the plants as we expected. And to fill up the disappearing plants we had raised nursery in noodle and chips wrappers. Just last week we filled up the spaces in our gardens with our nursery plants.
     Hopefully the plants would turn into spectacular hedges in a year or two. The ones grown under Mr Sonam Wangchuk's leadership have turned into great hedges providing great treat to both outsiders and insiders.
     we will keep caring the plants. I remember planting those privets when the farmers were busy planting cardamoms. Our plants are growing. May be the farmers cardamoms are growing too. In a year or two, the farmers' pocket will bulge with cash out of their cardamon and our heart will brighten with happiness and satisfaction out of the spectacular hedges shaped through our collective effort.