avatarVidya Sury, Collecting Smiles

Summary

Vidya Sury shares a captivating story of waking up to peacocks at the IISER Mohali Guest House, describing the enchanting experience of watching the birds from her window.

Abstract

The author, Vidya Sury, recounts an early morning surprise at the IISER Mohali Guest House where she was staying. She was awakened by sunlight filtering through the curtains, only to discover it was 5:30 am. Initially choosing to stay in bed, she was eventually drawn to the window by a mysterious tapping, where she was greeted by the sight of a peacock and a peahen. The article details her delight in observing the peacocks' courtship display and the serene scene of the birds on the lawn. The encounter left a lasting impression on her, becoming a cherished memory that she revisits for a quick mood lift. Sury also expresses gratitude to Mary Chang for inspiring her to capture and appreciate such moments through photography.

Opinions

  • The author finds immense joy and a sense of peace in the unexpected encounter with peacocks.
  • She values the beauty of nature and the opportunity to witness it from the comfort of her room.
  • The experience is so impactful that it becomes a go-to happy memory for the author.
  • Sury acknowledges the influence of Mary Chang in encouraging her to be more observant and to capture special moments with her camera.
  • She appreciates the work of other Medium writers and photographers, highlighting their contributions to the platform.
  • The author is motivated by the desire to support underprivileged children, suggesting a possible reason for her writing and participation in the Medium Partner Program.
Peacocks at my windowsill at the IISER Mohali Guest House— Photo by Vidya Sury ©

Peacocks At My Window

Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle

Let me take you out tonight.

We were staying at the guesthouse on my son’s college campus a couple of years ago. I was sleeping. Suddenly, something woke me up. I opened my eyes to find it was bright and sunny through the cracks in the heavy window curtains.

Alarmed and thinking I had overslept, I sat up and checked the clock. and was surprised to find it was only 5.30 am. I lay down again — after all, I was on holiday. Sure I could have gotten dressed and gone for a walk, but … eh. Too cozy enjoying the gentle breathing of my folks and the whirring of the air-conditioner.

I drifted off again to dreamland.

Half an hour later, I heard a tapping at the window. Sat up again. Then got a bit spooked recalling that we were on the second floor. How . . . ?

Curiosity getting the better of me, I gently tiptoed to the window and drew the curtain aside, with thoughts of the recent crime novel I’d read swirling in my head.

Imagine my shocked surprise and delight to see this handsome young man at the window, trying to peer in!

For the next hour, I simply sat there and watched him preen and romance his lady — yes! I moved the curtain aside to see that there was a peahen also perched on the window sill.

The large windows, that extended across an entire wall allowed me an almost 180- degree view, and I was excited to see around six peacocks and peahens wandering the lawn, enjoying the dawn.

And oh, these two, literally in my face, were chatting away. The guy kept swishing his luscious feathers across the window glass as he twirled this way and that, wooing his lady. Yes, I have a video of this!

What a way to wake up! I’ve filed this away in my happy-moments archive which I reach into whenever I need a swift pick-me-up!

Thank you Mary Chang Story Writer for always reminding me of my happy places via my photo albums and for making me even more observant than usual with my camera now! ❤ Also, you come up with the greatest shots for the Power of 3 prompt!

Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles ❤ Did you smile today?

I love Medium and the wonderful writers I engage with. Sadly, the Medium Partner Program is not open to writers based in India. One of the reasons I write is to support underprivileged children. Would you consider buying me a cup of coffee? Thank you so much!

I found David Acaster’s photo amazing!

Dennett’s moorhens are so pretty!

Anne Bonfert’s roses are gorgeous!

Love the expression on Charlie’s face in Kim Zuch’s photo story!

One of mine: Goodbyes and Hellos

Photography
Six Word Photo Story
Freestyle
Creativity
Ideas
Recommended from ReadMedium
avatarShereen Bingham
Try Not to Let Your Spring Run Dry

A rhyming poem about respecting respect

2 min read
avatarGenka Shapkarova
Beautiful and Tender Ears of Corn Remind Me of Summers by the Sea

August Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Food”

2 min read
avatarKarolina Kozmana
Common side effects of not drinking

By rejecting alcohol, you reject something very human, an extra limb that we have collectively grown to deal with reality and with each…

10 min read
avatarAIMastery
The Enigma of Life After Death

Scientific Research on Near-Death Experiences

3 min read
avatarMarcus
Saying Goodbye to My Nikon D90

A Hard Decision After Over a Decade

3 min read
avatarAlvaro Lopez
On My Little Island

Where my soul blooms

5 min read