Next day began auspiciously with lovely sightings of Marron Oriole and was a day to learn more about birding terminologies. As Shashank tried in vain to keep us focussed on what he was seeing and hearing, we were busy trying our best to photograph whatever we could. Only Bharati listened to him and Soma kept wondering if she would see Bugun again. Then Shashank called out to see a warbler. I had received a lecture earlier about not using my eyes, ears and binocs and how the photographer birders had destroyed the pleasure of birding, well not so severe but you get the picture. Guess what I was about to be vindicated. As the bird flew away, I peered at my camera and whooped. Look Shashank I got it, what is it. Highly amused he came over and pronounced Black Faced warbler and I did a little dance. Sanjay was reminded of Atul during their Namdapha trip and we learnt a new term - Chimping - when birders keep looking at their cameras and replaying bird images and make self congratulatory gestures and faces - much like Chimpanzees! - what more proof could we possibly need for Darwin's theory of evolution? The day was young and more chomping moments followed as we successfully photographed Buff Barred Warbler, Gold Naped Finch, Golden Throated Barbet, Stripe Throated Yuhinas, Chestnut Tailed Minlas…. and then it was time to return to the camp as we were to leave for Bompu that afternoon. I insisted on taking a bath and just as I finished, heavens opened up and I got soaked again! My bags, shoes, clothes, I learnt the hard way that there should be appropriate rain gear on one self at all times in Eaglenest!
After lunch as the rains lessened we started off for Bompu which though a mere 30 KM away takes about 3 hours with what Shashank described as a brief patch of bad road that we wanted to pass before it got dark. Our attempts to do so was thwarted due to two reasons - one Shashank forgot his diary at Lama Camp and while he went to retrieve it, we like kids played in rain, discovered waterfalls, admired various types of orchids or generally tried to imited the Collared Owlet to scare some birds into making an appearance. Guess who came calling - Beautiful Sibia and Green tailed Sunbird - Sahi Jawab as Shashank would say. Inspired by our various attempts at tuneless whisteling, unbeknownst to us, one of our drivers - manoj too was beginning to get involved in the whole adventure while his colleague Nripen made calls to his boss about being in a jungle with strange photographers - who chidiya ka foto pete hain!
Upon Shashank's return we carried forward, sometimes in car sometimes on foot as Shashank kept his eyes and ears peeled for something. We on the other hand discovered many selfie moments - mostly at the Eaglenest Pass and Chako - India's remotest election booth (it was set up for 3 people). Suddenly Shashank called out "hush" and became as silent as chicks in the nest. He craned and jumped out of the car. We followed. He thought he had heard a Ward's Trogon. Wow and he wanted to go down the valley over slippery path to search for it! Really! Four brave disciples followed in their Guruji's footsteps. The valiant warriors returned after what seemed like an hour. No, no Trogon. I did a wee bit chimping in my heart and with a straight face listened to their tale and sympathised with their efforts. Bundled back into the car as it had started raining again and then Shashank heard it again. This time the valiant warriors got their revenge. We saw the Ward's Trogon, but they all saw the male and the female while I was able to spot only the female. Big learning - be magnanimous and don't chimp when someone misses a bird! More rainfall forced us back into our cars and even a Spotted Laughing Thrush had to be photographed from within the car.
We never realised the bad part of the road and kept asking Shashank when would the dreaded 3 km stretch come. Guess what it had seamlessly mingled with the rest of the road - well we call it that since we were driving sorry bumping along on it and Nripen was silently cursing his boss while keeping a straight face. As the darkness fell along with more rain, another Bolero with VIP number plates appeared on the scene, raced ahead and disappeared and then appeared again behind us. This he did a couple of times on a straight road with no turns. We named it the Ghost car. Shashsank appeared to have missed the turn to Bompu camp but we decided to take a chance and drive on. Thankfully we did not have this conversation in Nripen's car otherwise 3 of our fellow birders would have probably been left to fend for themselves.
Shashank was beginning to fret as the fading light meant that we couldn't see a prize bird. He also kept hinting at a mystery bird that he was going to target. Finally late in the evening, tired, wet and cold we arrived at Bompu camp and guess what - the Ghost car was right there in front of us! How in the name of devil did he manage it?
All this shall be revealed in the next episode. till then birding karte rahenge hum log!
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