In the lush forests of Durga Wildlife Sanctuary, Karkala, I was birding with my mentor Shivashankar Sir, whose deep love for nature always inspires me. As we moved quietly through the dense foliage, a gentle rustle caught our attention.

There it was — the Blue-faced Malkoha, with its long tail and shimmering blue facial skin, moving gracefully among the branches. Its calm presence and subtle beauty filled the forest with charm.

With my mentor, sharing silence and wonder, reminded me that birding is not just about finding birds — it's about finding peace, patience, and inspiration in nature's company.