Lessons from nature help to maintain sanity during the pandemic, as much as it is an eternal source of joy for the soul.

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience" said Ralph Waldo Emerson. Perhaps today, as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, there could not have been a truer statement than this.

Reports of how nature has reclaimed its rightful spot on earth ravaged by humans is a clear indication of climate change, as well as what greed can do. Additionally, with words like lockdown, social distancing and quarantine becoming commonplace and working from home becoming the norm, the way people look at life has changed dramatically overnight. And though the "new normal" as it is being called will take time getting used to, there are some simple things that can help - and yes, it costs you nothing.

Speaking for myself, I have been travelling extensively across the world for the last few years and keeping very busy. The pandemic brought everything to a grinding halt. However, I decided to take things one day at a time and being fortunate to live in an apartment behind a temple with a massive Ficus Racemosa tree, I discovered that I had nature unravelling her lessons right from my living room. As I started spending all my time at home, I started observing the tree more keenly, and to my delight found it home to birds, bees, butterflies, squirrels and even occasional monkeys. 

The cluster figs on the tree grow close to the branch and seem to renew every couple of months when they turn a bright cherry red from the olive green they are initially. The squirrels, I notice, have the most fun scampering with gay abandon and frolicking on the branches. They also occasionally nibble at the figs and I was lucky to capture a video of a squirrel grooming himself meticulously on both sides. The tree is home to several birds and a key resident is the white cheeked barbet, I have counted at least eight of them to date and am amazed at how well they camouflage with the colours of the tree.

The playful banter of the sunbirds that come in two pairs, a pair of red vented bulbuls and a pair of Cinereous Tit apart from the Koels (black Koel and the Asian Koel) ensure the tree is buzzing with life. The tree is also a favourite with parakeets who visit the tree at specific times in the day to make a meal of the figs. While the monkeys are rare, they are not welcome, as I have noticed a pair of crows shoo them away – all three times they made an appearance. As this is the time when we have been forced to hit the pause button in our life, nature has become the option to remain sane, even as we continue to be closeted at home.

The tree is also abuzz with butterflies, bees and dragonflies too. I saw the red-tailed dragonfly (Lathrecista asiatica) that has a blood red hued tail, brown thorax with yellow lines, blue-violet eyes, white-blue head, transparent black wings and black legs - I guess my free time allowed me to see the details I would have likely missed otherwise.

In fact, as I keep observing the tree every day, now it is almost a ritual, I have spotted some unique birds as well. A crested goshawk perched at a branch right outside my window and I was thrilled to capture it on my camera. Another day it was the common cuckoo hawk and I got lucky to see the golden oriole. It is fascinating to see how nature works and I learnt that there is so much beauty around us and how it is so important to pause and observe our surroundings.

Being so caught up with “being busy” - I am guilty as charged - we often miss noticing the beauty of nature in our backyard. And perhaps the best part of the pandemic is that it has taught me to look at nature and admire what I see around me. It is something I recommend you try – looking out of your window will open your mind to a world of endless possibilities and one that is sure to bring a smile on your lips. And a lesson that the best is yet to come. I just saw a Black Naped Monarch. What next?