theColourfulWings

An Unexpected Conversation with an iOS Parrot in a Kashmir Barber Shop I swear this is a true story (or at least as true as stories get when you’re sitting in a tiny barber shop in Srinagar and reality starts feeling a little wobbly). It was a crisp October morning. I had been wandering the back lanes of old Srinagar near Hari Parbat, looking for a place to get a quick trim before heading to Dal Lake. Most fancy salons were either closed or too touristy, so I ducked into a narrow shop with a faded red-and-white pole spinning outside. The sign simply read “Ustad Hair Cutting Saloon – Since 1972”. Perfect. Inside, it smelled of talcum powder, coconut oil, and that unmistakable sharp bite of old-school aftershave. Three ancient chairs, one cracked mirror, a small transistor radio playing 90s Bollywood songs, and Ustad ji himself (white beard, thick glasses, and the calm authority of a man who has cut half the city’s hair for five decades). I sat down. The usual ritual began: c...

The Red Ghosts of Kashmir: Why the Valley Can’t Stop Talking About Its Foxes If you’ve ever driven on the Srinagar-Leh highway at dusk, you’ve probably seen one: a flash of rust-red fur slipping between the poplars, amber eyes catching your headlights for a split second before vanishing into the orchards. Kashmiris don’t just call them “foxes.” They call them Lal Lohar, the Red Phantom. And almost every village from Gurez to Gulmarg has a story about them that grandparents still swear is true. The Fox Who Stole the Moon In Tangmarg, old men will tell you about the night in 1947 when a fox walked into a marriage party, sat on its haunches beside the bride, and stared at the full moon reflected in a copper plate of sheer chai. When someone tried to shoo it away, the fox spoke (yes, spoke) in a woman’s voice: “Give me one fistful of wazwaan (red cock meat only) and I will return your moon tomorrow.” They laughed, of course. Until the next morning the moon didn’t rise. Three da...

A Winter Morning of Kashmir in Bed The world outside is still wrapped in darkness, a deep indigo that hasn’t yet decided to become dawn. I’m buried under layers of blankets, warm and heavy with sleep, when it begins: the first faint chirp. Then another. And another. Soft, deliberate, impossibly bright notes slipping through the frozen air. It’s winter. The kind of cold that makes the windowpanes blush with frost, the kind that turns your breath into little ghosts. By all logic, everything should be silent. The trees are bare, the ground is hard, and most creatures have either flown south or burrowed deep. And yet, here they are—these tiny winter birds—singing like it’s the first day of spring. Their voices are not loud. They don’t need to be. In the stillness of a winter morning, every sound is amplified. Each chirp lands like a drop of water on still glass: clear, pure, startlingly alive. It’s a delicate sound, almost fragile, as if the cold might shatter it. But it doesn’...

The Untamed Paradise: Exploring the Rich Wildlife of Kashmir Nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayas, Kashmir is not just a land of breathtaking landscapes, serene lakes, and snow-capped peaks; it is also one of India’s most precious wildlife sanctuaries. Often called “Paradise on Earth,” the valley and its surrounding highlands harbor an astonishing diversity of flora and fauna, much of which is rare, endangered, and found nowhere else in the world. From the elusive Hangul stag to the majestic Snow Leopard prowling the high altitudes, Kashmir’s wilderness is a living testament to nature’s grandeur. The Crown Jewel: The Kashmir Stag (Hangul) No discussion of Kashmir’s wildlife is complete without mentioning the Hangul, or Kashmir Red Deer (Cervus hanglu). Once widespread across the region, this elegant creature with its magnificent 11–16-point antlers is now critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining in the wild. The Dachigam National Park, just 22 ...

The Fishes of Dal Lake: A Fragile Underwater World Under the Shadow of Shikaras Nestled in the heart of Srinagar, Kashmir, Dal Lake is not just a postcard-perfect waterbody ringed by Mughal gardens and houseboats; it is also one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the Kashmir Valley. Beneath the mirrored surface where floating vegetable gardens and lotus blooms dominate the summer landscape, an entire aquatic community quietly thrives, or struggles to. The native fishes of Dal Lake, especially the endemic Schizothorax species, have shaped local cuisine, culture, and livelihoods for centuries. Yet today, these fish face an existential threat, and one of the most visible culprits paddles right above them: the iconic shikara. The Fish That Made Kashmir Famous The star of Dal Lake’s ichthyofauna is undoubtedly the Snowtrout, locally called “Kashir gaad,” belonging to the genus Schizothorax (commonly S. esocinus, S. niger, S. curvifrons, and S. labiatus). These are hands...

A Flash of Blue in the Marshes: Kashmir’s First Recorded Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher in Srinagar November 24, 2025 – Srinagar, Kashmir Yesterday morning, something extraordinary happened in the floating gardens and reed beds of Hokarsar Wetland on the outskirts of Srinagar: a tiny jewel of a bird, the Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis rubeculoides), was photographed and documented for the very first time in the Kashmir Valley. For birdwatchers in Kashmir, this is nothing short of a bombshell. The Bird That “Shouldn’t” Be Here The Blue-throated Blue Flycatcher is a small (14 cm), strikingly beautiful passerine. The male is unmistakable: glittering sapphire-blue throat and upperparts, deep orange breast, and a white belly. Females and immatures are duller olive-brown but still show a hint of that electric blue on the tail. Its usual breeding range stretches across the foothills of the Himalayas from Uttarakhand through Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and northeast India. In wint...

A Sky Full of Wings: Witnessing the Great Bird Migration Over Kashmir (November 23, 2025) Yesterday, something magical happened above the valleys of Kashmir that I’ll never forget. I was walking along the shores of Wular Lake just after sunrise when the sky suddenly came alive. At first it was just a faint, distant murmur, like wind rustling through poplars. Then I looked up, and my breath caught. Thousands upon thousands of birds were streaming north in perfect, shimmering ribbons. Bar-headed geese, those incredible high-flyers that cross the Himalaya at altitudes commercial planes use, were leading the charge. Their unmistakable black-and-white heads glinted in the early light as they flew in classic V-formation, honking rhythmically like an airborne orchestra. Flying at what must have been 6,000–7,000 metres (you can actually see them above the snow peaks from the valley on clear days), they looked tiny against the massive backdrop of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh, yet somehow heroic. Lo...

We Saw Quails and a Golden Pheasant Family Today at Shri Shankaracharya Temple – A Magical Wildlife Moment in Srinagar (2025) Today we spotted quails and a golden pheasant family near Shri Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar. A beautiful wildlife experience with nature and birds A visit to the sacred Shri Shankaracharya Temple always feels spiritual, but today’s experience turned into something even more special. On the peaceful forest path, we witnessed a beautiful group of quails and an elegant golden pheasant family walking freely among the trees. It felt like nature opened a secret doorway for us— a quiet, magical moment right in the heart of Srinagar. --- 🌲 A Calm Morning Climb Filled With Nature We started our climb early. The air was cool, the sky was clear, and the tall pine trees around the temple hill were glowing softly in the morning light. The forest felt alive, but peaceful. Birds were calling from different directions, echoing through the valley. While climbing ...

A Soul-Stirring Journey to Shri Shankaracharya Temple: From Sheikhpora, Budgam in an E-Rickshaw Date: 23 November 2025 Route: Sheikhpora (Budgam) → Shankaracharya Hill, Srinagar Mode of travel: Eco-friendly E-Rickshaw Today turned out to be one of those perfect winter days in Kashmir when the sun shines softly, the air is crisp, and the valley looks like it has been sprinkled with icing sugar. I decided to visit the ancient Shankaracharya Temple (also known as Jyesthishwara Temple) atop the Gopadri Hill in Srinagar, and instead of taking the usual cab or bus, I chose the humble, green, and super-fun E-rickshaw all the way from my village in Sheikhpora, Budgam district. Why an E-Rickshaw? First things first — shout-out to the electric rickshaws that have quietly revolutionized local travel in Kashmir! Zero emissions, zero noise (except the occasional Bhojpuri or Kashmiri song blasting from the driver’s phone) Affordable (₹150–200 for almost 30+ km one way) You sit high, feel...

The Unlikely Friendship of Rainbow and Waffles    ~ A Dal Lake Chronicle   By Ankul I have been coming to Dal Lake every winter for the last seven years. I rent the same creaky houseboat named New Zealand Dream (nobody knows why), tie my little shikara to its wooden post, and let the cold mountain air scrub the city out of my lungs. This year, something different happened. I witnessed a friendship so absurd, so pure, that I have to write it down before the lake freezes and the memory turns into just another story tourists tell. It started on a November morning when the lake was still half-asleep under a thin sheet of mist. I was sipping kahwa on the balcony when I noticed a small commotion near the lotus pads. A lone mallard duck (bright green head, orange feet, the full Kashmiri wedding attire) was arguing with a fish. Not just any fish. A rainbow trout. A very large, very opinionated rainbow trout who kept leaping clear out of the water as if punctuatio...

Chinar: The Little Warbler Who Fell From a Himalayan Hailstorm ** Dachigam National Park, Kashmir – November 2025**   *By Ankul* My name is Ankul. I’m 29, born and raised in Srinagar, and for the last five years I’ve been volunteering with Kashmir Bird Rescue, a tiny outfit run by five mad people who believe even a sparrow deserves a second chance. On 14 November 2025, Kashmir got hit by the worst unseasonal hailstorm anyone can remember. Golf-ball-sized ice fell for forty minutes straight. The chinar leaves that had just turned their perfect autumn red were shredded overnight. Power lines snapped. And somewhere up in Harwan, on the road that climbs toward Dara, a tiny migrant from another continent took the full force of it. A shepherd named Ghulam Hassan found her the next morning, half-buried under wet golden leaves beside an ancient chinar tree. She was breathing, but only just. He wrapped her in the corner of his pheran and carried her down the mountain on foo...

A Mother Elephant’s Silent Struggle: Caring for Her Blind Baby In the vast stillness of the forest, where life follows nature’s rhythm, there exists a story that breaks the heart yet inspires the soul — the story of a mother elephant and her blind calf. Their journey, filled with pain, patience, and unspoken love, mirrors the harsh realities of relationships among humans too. --- The Birth of Hope — and Fear When the baby elephant was born, the entire herd celebrated with gentle rumbles and touches. But moments later, something felt wrong. The calf did not respond to movement, light, or shadows. He reached forward blindly, bumping into legs and trees, unsure of where the world began or ended. The mother immediately sensed it — her baby could not see. For her, joy turned into fear. Yet, in the wild, there is no pause, no luxury of breakdowns. A mother must be strong. --- A Mother’s Unshakable Guidance Teaching Him to Walk Without Sight Every day, she guided her calf by gentl...

The Colourful Wings – A Journey Into Nature, Creativity & Inspiration In a world full of noise, rush, and endless screens, The Colourful Wings takes you on a refreshing journey where nature blooms, creativity breathes, and stories come alive. Whether you are a nature lover, photography enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the calm of beautiful visuals, this is a place where every moment feels magical. What Is “The Colourful Wings”? The Colourful Wings is a visual and storytelling platform that celebrates the vibrant beauty of life—birds soaring freely, butterflies floating peacefully, rivers singing softly, sunsets painting the sky, and wildlife living their untold stories. It’s not just a name; it's a symbol of freedom, diversity, and inspiration. Every video, image, or story shared under The Colourful Wings has one purpose: 🌟 To show the world how beautiful nature truly is. --- The Inspiration Behind The Name The name comes from one simple thought: Everything...

🚌 A Long, Beautiful Journey From Jammu to Srinagar – A Travel Blog Full of Wildlife, Mountains & Magic Traveling from Jammu to Srinagar is not just a route—it is a story. A long, soulful story of mountains, rivers, forests, tunnels, wildlife, and people. On this trip, I traveled in a brand-new bus, and that made the experience even more memorable. Clean white seats, a fresh fragrance inside, cold AC, soft music, and large windows that opened like a giant screen to nature’s movie. Below is the complete experience, from the first sunrise in Jammu to the cool breeze of Dal Lake in Srinagar. --- 🌅 Early Morning Start – Jammu City Wakes Up My journey began before sunrise. Jammu city was slowly waking up—tea stalls opening, vendors arranging their carts, and birds greeting the morning with sweet chirping. The new bus was waiting at the stand, shining in the yellow streetlight. I boarded with excitement. As soon as the engine started, the bus moved smoothly. The large glass ...

🌿 A Wonderful Sight: Elephant Sprinkling Water on a Wooden Hut Near a Waterfall – Full Vlog Story Nature always finds a way to surprise us, but today’s experience felt like something straight out of a magical world. While exploring a dense green forest valley, I captured one of the most heart-touching and wonderful moments I’ve ever seen – a giant elephant joyfully sprinkling water on a small wooden hut, just a few steps away from a roaring waterfall. Join me in this full vlog-style narration as I relive that breathtaking moment. --- 🌄 The Journey Begins The day started with a cool mountain breeze, sunlight softly piercing through tall trees. The deeper I walked into the forest trail, the louder the sound of rushing water became. Birds chirped, leaves cracked under my feet, and the entire atmosphere felt fresh and peaceful. At the end of the trail, I found a beautiful wooden hut, sitting quietly near the foot of a majestic waterfall. Mist from the waterfall floated like m...