A wonderful sight : Caspian Tern diving for fish

Today as I walked along the lake, I noticed a Caspian tern flying high above the lake looking for fish. The tern can easily be mistaken for the common gull unless you notice the distinctive orange beak and a black cap on its head. It flew several rounds scanning the surface of the lake with its beak pointing downwards. I stopped on my track and watched.

Suddenly I got to witness the tern do a swift dive into the lake and up it came with a small fish on its beak. What a breathtaking sight. It made my day! Here is a picture I got from www.robertbotts.com

The Impact of Plastic

I came across this picture and felt that I should post it.

A Gift of Food is a Gift of Love

There is something beautiful about sharing a home cooked meal. It is an expression of love and friendship. 

Yesterday evening my neighbour's son Zamin brought us a tray full of food. A plate of warm basmati rice and chickpeas, sweet dates on the side, a glass of pink faluda and a small plate of sliced cake soaked in custard and topped with strawberries.  It was the Ramadan Iftar meal, the evening meal when muslims break their fast at the time of sunset. Knowing we are vegetarian, Saba my neighbour sent us only what was vegetarian in the Iftar meal.

I was touched by this sweet gesture. It was a gentle acknowledgement of our friendship. With every mouthful, I was conscious of the time and love that went into making this meal.

Rhubarb Brandy Jam this time

After two days of enjoying the outdoors, we spent a lazy afternoon yesterday making Rhubarb Brandy Jam. It was a family event with my 5yr old daughter Smriti helping me wash up the rhubarb, dad chopping rhubarb and mom and grandmother doing the cooking and canning. My 3yr old son helped by sleeping for most of this time.

Small things can lift your spirit

Today after a period of sadness and loss and staying indoors, I went for a walk on my regular path along the nature trail. I saw so many birds, it was as if they all showed up just to welcome me.

A dull red female cardinal, a blue heron in the swamp hunting fish, a rose-breasted Grosbeak, a cedar waxwing on a tree full of bright red berries, a few swallows perched on the fence along the pond and two red-headed woodpeckers pecking the same tree looking for worms. I could feel my spirit lifting. I am happy again!

Poem: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou

A poem on what freedom really means. This is cry from every animal captured in zoos, from every lab animal, from every pet. All enslaved and deprived of their freedom in their natural environment.

The free bird leaps on the back of the wind
and floats downstream till the current ends
and dips his wings in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage
can seldom see through his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with fearful trill
of the things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.

Maya Angelou

Strawberry ..jammin

Yummm! ..a large pail of hand picked ripe strawberriers getting transformed into little cans of strawberry jam for our loving family and friends to enjoy!