Look Who’s Returned To My Mango Tree!

Asia, Wildlife, 111 Comments

I do not lay great store by my blog stats.

I did initially, until my counter one time, read nine views and one visitor, while the country spread indicated the views came from five countries! I highly doubt even Clark Kent could manage that feat in twenty minutes.

A recent Daily Post article titled Beyond Traffic by Ben Huberman, sent me tinkering under my hood and I was taken aback by what I discovered!

Of my 327 posts in 28 months (and I thought I was pretty prolific!), my most commented posts are not as one might expect the one’s about Macchu Picchu, or the temples in Siem Reap or even the Taj Mahal! It seems you my dear readers, prefer reading about ‘Me’!! And the goings on around my mango tree!

Take a look:

1: About me 

2: The Barrio Of Kitsch  (I suspect this sneaked in only because it got Freshly Pressed!)

3: Memories

4: My Elusive Neighbours

5: Look Who Was Invited To Lunch Next Door 

Like our grand old Congress Party, that received an ignominious drubbing in the recent election, I shall put blinkers on and not introspect about what these numbers say about my travel writing.

So, bowing to popular demand, I take you back to the mango tree outside my kitchen window, that does not even belong to me.

The parakeets are missing, but the Asian Koels are back. The males still stay out front, but these fidgety female chicks seem to prefer the mango tree. The dawn cacophony is just about beginning, and the numbers are twice as many as last year. We are preparing for some major sleep deprivation.

DSC_0910 copy 1

Common Mynas are new visitors this year.These two look much married to me.

I am not a fan of crows, but this House Crow hopped close to me while I was patiently watching out for his more exotic cousins, and seemed to want to tell me something! Perhaps he was hungry, or in pain. Or as most Indiands believe, the spirit of some ancestor? I felt a distinct connection!

And finally this beauty is back! Which means that first trip last November, wasn’t just a one off. I had mistakenly assumed he (?) was a Nuthatch, but have just discovered he is actually an Indian Pitta.  His upper parts are blue-green (faintly visible in the thumbnail). Hope to capture that when he begins to trust me enough to turn his back on me. Isn’t he gorgeous? May he be the father of a thousand sons!

Just in case you are wondering, my focus shall remain travel. Like I mentioned before, I don’t lay great store by traffic stats 🙂

Related:
Look who Strayed Into My Mango Tree!

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Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander

111 thoughts on “Look Who’s Returned To My Mango Tree!”

  1. Don’t give it too much thought, Madhu. Just like ShimonZ above .. we have our own ideas and (expectations), and our audience have tastes of their own. I marvel at your travelogues for the presentation, great photography and exquisite writing style and I am more drawn to the posts featuring countries that I am planning to visit or visited before. However, when I see your animal shots and mango tree posts I go all mushy – but you already know that I like animals better than folks 😀

  3. That is a very refreshing post and I can see why it garnered that kind of traffic 🙂 And in a way, it is some sort of travel that you have undertaken within the confines of your home!

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  6. Those little birds are colourful that’s why readers like them. Have you been to Canada?

  7. I remember this little chap first time around – so glad that he’s returned. I hope he hasn’t been as busy working as I have!

  8. I don’t understand a lot on their stats counter as well. I stopped caring for a while now. 😀 Your visitors are memorable. It’s nice to see them back. 😉

  9. I guess that ancestor will return until you know and understand what he’s telling you…maybe he just wants to confirm that leaving stats alone is a good idea? Love your birds too, Madhu. Just like your travels and photos from everywhere in the world. It’s always an adventure to visit you, whatever you write about! And, I have also understood that writing about yourself seems to be interesting for most bloggers. I was greatly surprised to see my own About page on top.

    1. 🙂 Hubby thinks the ancestor must be the spokesperson sent to tell me to get lost and leave him and his cousins alone 🙂 Judging by the suspicious expression on the baby Koel’s face, he just might be right!

  10. It is puzzling what the stats reveal. But, Madhu, they might be on target about people fancying the bird photos. They’re always fun to watch and clearly you bird-friend is a people-magnet. 😉

  11. wel I had to come check out your boot because I have seen you everywhere – well not everywhere – but saw you on a few blogs and had to see what was going on in the mango tree – and now I know – good stuff – and I like what you wrote about the blog stats and “looking under the hood” – which reminds me – I need to go and check out the about link… 🙂

  12. thanks for sharing your mango tree! the stats really don’t always add up, do they? but as time permits, it is great to visit blogs from places around the planet i will probably never visit. and to learn about birds that are not in this corner of the planet. so be it birds or travels, do blog on! 🙂

  13. I am going to revisit your mango tree often! How beautiful! I completely agree with you about stats and rarely check mine. We blog for the pleasure of connecting and learning about others ~ oui? I am always a visitor on your fabulous site …even if I zip away without comment. Please know your posts are always appreciated!

    1. Oui!! You are most welcome to join me on my bird watching sprees Patricia 🙂 Thank you very much for your lovely comment.

  14. How lucky you are, Madhu! The only thing we seem to get around here – at least outside my apartment window – are the drones of cicadas… nothing colourful like those beauties. But I do like seeing the occasional bird of prey soaring between the skyscrapers and treetops.

    1. I think it is just that I am at the right height to be able to spot these creatures James. Living on the ground floor, in our bungalows even in the hills that were rich with birdlife – our daughter could identify nearly 90 at one time! – we never got to actually see them at such close quarters. Birds of prey must prefer taller tress and buildings, we hardly have any nearby.

  15. These are wonderful photos of the birds. But it’s your travel posts that I enjoy. As for the likes, it seems most people are thirsty for personal contact. But I am glad you can share your travel experiences. Your travel posts have been wonderful. I and many others thank you for that.

    1. I know you do, and I appreciate it very much Stephen.
      Am in Bangalore right now, and I brought ‘Up in the Bronx’ with me to read over the weekend. On chapter VI at the moment and I LOVE it so far. Shall revert with more feedback on my return. Thanks for the lovely gift,

      1. You’re welcome. Waiting for Bangalore report. Been watching Satyajit Rey movies recently so interested in learning all I can about Bengal and all of India. Glad you’re enjoying the book.

  16. Lovely visitors… simple joys are never far away from home. We just need to keep an open eye right? And I think it’s because us blog readers, love to know more behind the blogger… makes it so much more personal 🙂

    1. True, and I exaggerated a bit. My travel posts do figure in the top five by views list. The comment interaction is obviously more in the personal ones 🙂

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    1. It is a source of constant delight through the mango season Valentine. Then there is total silence all through our non existent winter months.

    1. I am indeed lucky to be able to enjoy the mango tree Melanie, even if isn’t technically growing in my yard. Thank you for the ‘young lady’ bit…… you made my day 😀

  20. Well, so the conclusion is that you have to write more about yourself! I love all your posts but obviously my partiality lies with your Kolkata posts:)

  21. It doesn’t matter much what you blog about, Madhu- we’re your captive audience 🙂 Keep ’em coming! (and please can I have some more Venice soon- I promise to be good?)

    1. I know you are Jo, and I appreciate it. Truly.
      Some of my better photos of Venice coming up next 🙂

  22. Ahh this lovely mango tree! And the winged visitors, I do remember it, of course!
    Yes, you right… some times I like to go and give a look at the “about me”, linger there a while, read the comments of the other visitors, the answers of the blog owner…
    But actually I newer give much attention to the “traffic” on my blog. Well, actually I see when someone put a “like” even if there isn’t any comment… I guess that people are quite busy, and not everyone have the patience and understanding to read my italian posts (with bad englis translation).
    For me is just the importance to write (pity I don’t have that much time I wished) to leave a sort of diary… One day my grandchildren will have a lot of fun 🙂
    The indian Pitta should have a lot to tell, about the on odors and scents from your kitchen 😉
    have a lovely day :-)claudine

    1. We are all more alike than we think Claudine.
      That Pitta or the koel do not come close enough to partake of the aromas of my kitchen sadly. Hope they will soon get as bold as the parakeets and the crow 🙂

  23. I will venture a guess that one reason for the interest in your neighborhood posts is your EXCELLENT bird photos, Madhu! I would love to see those species outside of my windows. 😉

    1. Ha ha, thank you Ruth, wish there was a way to get them to move there after the mango season! 🙂 Have no idea where they go during winter.

  24. I guess we are all human Madhu, we love to hear about each others lives …. and I love to see your birds of course, and share your thoughts and feelings about those avian visitors 🙂

    1. Thank you Christine. I admire how you manage to keep up with your schedules and comments even while traveling!

  25. Loved my view from under the mango tree because looking up delivered unexpected treasures. Besides, we don’t have mango trees in my area. 😉

    Thanks for the link to the article regarding stats because I know I need some serious self-study.

  26. I’ve noticed a similar thing from time to time. It’s funny. But maybe you can do a post where you go somewhere interesting and then just talk about yourself, hehee! I love that pitta.

    1. 😀 It would be an interesting experiment for sure! The mango tree stories were meant as fillers for when I couldn’t quite find the time or words to compose a post!! 🙂

  27. Since we took to the road I have discovered how many people in this country are avid birders. I have seen some gorgeous little birds that I knew nothing about before blogging.

  28. Sorry Madhu!!!
    I posted it under M. comments!!! I also agree so much with her…!!!
    It is the “Victory of the Small Things” !!!!
    I think the beauty of these posts is that everybody has a life more or less interesting..But, then, one has to finish the day at home sweet home…And it is wonderful to relax, to prepare a cup of coffee…And to peek and to listen to such beauties instead of the traffic jam under our house…Or may be, just the deepest of the silences…May be that is the moment when we open our computer, read your post…And leave our minds to freely fly…:) 🙂

    1. And I yours ilargia! 🙂 Thank you so very much.
      PS: Don’t worry, that comment is in the trash :-).

  29. I have also noticed that the posts that got the most views on my blog were not always those that I personally liked the most. I think that when we write for the public, we get many different readers… some of whom have very different tastes than ours. I do think that these pictures are wonderful though, and enjoy watching the birds.

    1. Very true Shimon. Just that since I call myself a travel writer, I was a bit disappointed that more travel stories didn’t make it to the top 🙂 I am happy you enjoyed the birds. Appreciate your stopping by to comment.

  31. I like that mango tree – not only does it give sweet treats, it also shelters pretty creatures. I can understand why the birds are popular – they are pretty all around. And when thy sing, they can make even the dullest day beautiful. 🙂

    Do not be surprised if posts about you are more popular than your other posts. We like your posts because they have good photos and stories, but we like them even more because of YOU. 🙂

  32. Of course you’re surprised, though you shouldn’t be – for you, Madhu, what you see around you is normal – but for most of us your home environment is exotic, the thing of ‘travel’ blogs, seen with an insider’s knowledge. On top of which, I’ve noticed that the blogs we seem to enjoy most are those created by people whose personalities shine out, people we’d like to get to know … So, what could be more charming than having morning coffee with Madhu, and the birds which come visit her Mango tree? I’ve got my fingers crossed that little Pitta grows accustomed to your (clicking) presence so we can see more of its beautiful plumage – navy and tan, how elegant! 🙂

    1. I know, I shouldn’t really be surprised. I certainly love having all of you over for morning coffee, and equally, dropping in to sip Sri Lankan tea with you 🙂
      I have my fingers crossed the Pitta will stay around too. But really missing the parakeets. They seem to have moved to a tree across the road.

    1. Absolutely!! Am gorging on them now, hard to limit myself to one a day 🙂 Thanks Ian.

  34. Happy to see your visitors back on that beautiful mango tree [I remember!]! I know exactly what you mean about preferences and stats…

  35. I love your story about the crow, Madhu! And I don’t see why we can’t have more and more stories about YOU in the midst of the travel stories, yes? 😉

    1. Umm, maybe! 🙂 I don’t particularly like writing about myself Riba. That one ‘memories’ post kind of wrote itself one especially nostalgic moment. The mango tree and its avian visitors are my saviours!

    1. He sure is! The mango tree isn’t technically mine Marie! It is the neighbour’s, but grows into our yard and since I live on the fourth floor of the building, I get to look right into my avian friends ‘lounge’ 🙂

  37. Yes!!! I am fascinated by WP stats. My hubby is a stats professor and he simply finds them….remarkable!!! Beautiful shots~

    1. Thank you Cindy! I am just flummoxed by the stats sometimes. Great to have hubby make sense of it for you 🙂

  39. It’s always funny to see what people read the most isn’t it? I do find the personal posts do well too – readers like to get a glimpse into the real life of bloggers I think.

    1. I guess. I hadn’t really checked which of my posts received the most comments before, so I was quite surprised! 🙂

  40. If I was to worry about stats I’d go crazy because they’ve gone down as my followers go up! Your garden birds are sweet even the crow ancestor 🙂

  41. Awwww, they are so totally adorable and gorgeous Madhu. Great captures! 😀

  43. of course the view into that mango tree gives everyone a break from their day/night. those birds are beautiful, and i’d have a hard time leaving the window!

    when the mangoes are ripe, i am sure that’s a very popular restaurant for the wildlife!

    1. It certainly is, they have feeding frenzies there that tempt me to join in 🙂 Thanks Lisa.

  45. Interesting take on the statistics but for new bloggers it is great source of encouragement 🙂 In Pune all the Koels are jet black. I almost mistook the Asian Koel for a baby falcon.
    Thanks Madhu.

    1. The all black koels are the males Dilip. The females are lighter and speckled. I mistook it for a baby falcon in the beginning as well! 🙂

      1. Ok thanks will surely try to identify the two 🙂 though I’ve never seen a speckled one yet. Thanks again for this interesting input Madhu.

  46. Wow, you have very pretty visitors! You’ve managed to capture them very beautifully. 🙂

    1. I really do. Missing the parakeets this year, hoping they’ll show up soon. Thanks Sha.

  47. Now that I’m several years into my blog, I rarely look at my stats. I figure it is what it is, and I write and post photos of what I want (aren’t I the spoiled brat). Your travel writing is some of my favorite stuff here on WP, taking me places that I wouldn’t ever see otherwise, and I feel I am reading a great short travel novel. Your photography is not exactly chopped liver, either!
    P.S. I do love your mango tree stories too 🙂

  49. I was only commenting to hubby this morning that I get the most views when I blog about myself, and family special occasions. I found that most interesting. Great captures of your feathered visitors. How lovely to have a mango tree. 🙂

    1. Thanks Sylvia. It is my neighbours’ tree, that I enjoy more than they do, due to my vantage point! 🙂

  50. The stats are interesting. What i like about your blog is the way you play with words n keep me hooked till the end and the cherry on the cake is your beautiful pictures. Even in this post the birds were captured beautifully. 🙂

  53. Enjoyed your insights into your blogging life. The birds are a delight–well captured. Mostly, we should present the materials that are close to our hearts. And they will come or not.

    1. I totally agree. And I intend to do just that. But I was surprised to find two of my mango tree posts on my top five, so couldn’t resist making a post out of it. Happy you stopped by Sally.

    1. These birds usually arrive early evening (I am sure they are there at dawn, but I am not up at that time :-)) and the light filtering in from the West at that time is always beautiful. Appreciate your stopping by Mitch.

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