Few minutes in slow motion

 Few minutes in slow motion

Perhaps the best thing about Corona is that many of us seem to be opening our eyes more to the nature around us.  Of late, I have a new routine.  Around 6 pm, I rush off to my terrace for my day's exercise which is a brisk half an hour's walk.. But what pushes me more is the beauty around me, which I watch while I am also saying my prayers for the day. 

I am not only amazed by the sheer number of bird species I spot daily, but also filled with an immense euphoria at the myriad moods of the sky at dusk, which seems to change with every passing minute at that hour. 

A pond heron perched high on a coconut tree all appear black with the setting sun in the background giving an golden orange tinge to the sky... Still earlier, I had seen a flock of white egrets perched on different fronds of the same coconut tree.. An odd Kingfisher high up on a leafless branch enjoying it's wind-induced swinging.. A couple of the sweetly whistling ducks as they fly over my head.. Some grey hued gulls flying in a V-formation all leave me breathless and wanting more.. 

Sometimes the sky is fully grey and filled with darker huge rain-bearing clouds in all shapes.. Sometimes it is very blue and slowly becomes yellow, orange, pink and mauve and then grey with every passing minute as the sun sets.. I forget my prayer and my exercise and immerse myself in the beauty of nature.  On some days, I just lie on the ground keeping my eyes open towards the sky.. The beauty and feel especially on a pleasant day is something hard to explain in words. 

Soon, I hear the muezzin's call to prayer and sky is dark all too quickly and I realise my favorite time has come to a close for the day.  Thanking God for the glimpse of his divine artwork on his Sky canvas, I retreat downstairs into the rest of my day.