I am sure some of us would have noticed initially the barren trees as all the leaves are shredded and later on slowly and slowly in a few days beautiful golden flowers emerging on the branches as if hanging of similar to grapes on the branches but with a yellow/golden color. After the full bloom in best of the colors and with the passage of time the color getting faded to whitish and then in between flowers lying on the ground either they have been disturbed by the strong winds during summer or being touched by birds coming to the tree.. While it is flowering number of birds, butterflies and bees visiting it for its beauty or for sucking its nectar. Even I have observed Peacock ,our national bird feeding on them on the ground and relishing its taste.
It is said the leaves and the flowers have medicinal property and for this reason it is said to be a Disease Killer and used in Ayurvedic medicines.
If you are in Delhi and passing through Shanti Path or Amrita Sher Gill Marg adjacent to the famous Khan Market or at Hailey Road near Connaught Place, then you would realize the beauty of the place as if covered with gold. The designers of Delhi purposely planted Amaltas being tropical to India and nearby countries with a motive to keep peace in the world and enjoy the Golden life.
Recently I was in Punjab Agriculture University at Ludhiana and was mesmerized by the beauty of Amaltas tree lining on both sides of the road in the campus. As a birder, apart from flowers on the ground I was trying to capture some birds amidst the golden flowers. I could see and shoot birds such as Purple Sunbird, Rufous Tree pie, Oriental Magpie Robin, Peacock, Common Myna and Crow, Black Kite and Pheasant Crow. I am sure you would like to see them.
Images from Ludhiana taken on 30th and 31st May 2018.
On seeing the beauty of flowers , their shape and hanging like chandeliers some thoughts emerged in my mind and I thought of sharing with you all.
“अमलतास” भी कुछ ख़ास है!
लगता है गर्मी की भड़ास है.
देती ये हर आस है.
जिंदगी की प्यास है,
हमारे बहुत आस पास है,
इसमें क्या ख़ास है ?
याद दिलाती है कांच के फानूसों की,
जो अमीरों के पास है.
परन्तु आम आदमी की आस है,
प्रक्रति के ये फानूस है.
उसको दिखाने का अलग अंदाज़ है.
कांच की तरह ढह जायेंगे।
अगले साल फिर आएंगे,
कह कर चले जायेंगे।
सुना है राजा दुष्यंत और कुमारी शकुंतला,
इस पेड़ की छाया में मिले थे.
आज भारत (उन्ही के बेटे भरत के नाम) की रक्षा के लिए
भारतवासी मर मिटने के लिए खड़े है.
