Nature Watch

                                     ............... “I run across hills and dales,
                                                      I wander Through nameless lands,
                                              because I am Hunting for the golden stag”..........
                 From the lines of “I hunt for the Golden stag”-Rabindranath Tagore
The road was through a moderately dense forest, my friend kept his vigil eyes on the twigs of big trees, where in a tree hole once he had an opportunity to espy a Great Indian Hornbill, was feeding the new born chicks. These birds are often seen in this forest apart from infinite varieties of common and uncommon birds. The movements could only be noticed in the sloshing stream of Teesta canal and our moving car, remaining part of our surrounding were silent and standstill, until the territory of Baikunthapur forest ended.

lone angler on our way to Gajoldoba

The landscape of forest ended and the nature unfurled the exquisite frames of countrified scenario in the backdrop of a glowing stainless sky, the widespread view of golden paddy field, lone anglers patient waiting for the catch, Gulmohor (Royal Poinciana) trees loaded with flamboyant displays, ostentatious lotus and water lily flowers in galore, very consistent yet matchless pictures to capture, for my lifetime memory.

colourful water flowers,Gajoldoba

Finally, we breathed in a place, away from all urban rumpuses. The Teesta barrage of Gajol-doba was set up to meet the basic need of irrigation. The place, surrounded by water, in the backdrop of hills and lush greenery and we started walking along the embankment of the barrage; it was like walking through the superb frames of natural landscape. The wide open and discreet scenario of landscapes away from the notice was like walking through the avenue of forgotten days. The reflections of nimbus clouds on the river Teesta, the swinging anchored fishing boats in the river waves, skittish movements of dragonfly, slowly disappearing silhouette of a fishing boat towards the horizon, in the low land covered with long grasses the roost of migratory birds. The vague pictures in fragmented frames started reuniting in mind, in the conspicuous display of widespread composure.

Fishing boat,Gajoldoba

The rain cloud brought the message of melancholy from a place far away from us, to share the sorrow the entire surrounding turned gloomy in grief. Slowly the dark shadow of the cloud turned the river water black. The evening wind brought the soothing drizzles to drench us and amidst the hypnotic environment we kept experiencing the ineffable beauties of a monsoon shower.

The hypnotic evening at gajoldoba

The place adjoining the Teesta barrage, just 25-Kms. away from the Siliguri town, is much admired by the nature lovers, for the aspirants who love to delve ocean in the droplets of water and also a unique destination for bird watching; paddling of colourful water birds from central Asia establish their migratory roost here.