My mother's garden

My mother wrote this to me - 

"25th July 2013 -

After my return from Bengaluru I have been hearing the call of a peacock periodically.  I alerted your father about this unusual sound, but did not get any attention.

Today,  he himself spotted a peahen on the rear lawn, it amazed him so much that he disturbed my yoga to call me to the sight.  She had moved to the front and we were careful not to disturb her.  She walked back to the rear lawn so fearlessly, majestically.

Such a perfect specimen, the colour, design and shape like in the books. Her neck moved in all  direction continuously, not afraid of our whispers;

It then occured to us that we should photograph her. My camera as usual the battery was discharged, but your father decided to use his cellphone.  He walked slowly to the open well for proximity, but she just flew to
our neighbour's wall, where we were successful in capturing a picture
of her.

Imagine our delight to boast of such a visitor! Such a surprise in the morning! And a stunning joy for us. The event has made your father tongue-tied and there is silence in Trishul."

The peahen was the talk of our family for a while, the grandchildren were blase, I was intrigued and my parents were really wonderstruck. 

It has not been seen since.

30th Oct 2013

This time my mother was well-prepared with her camera.  In her morning perambulations through the garden, she saw this fellow amidst the hibiscus flowers.  She hurried back to her room and got the camera out, and took this picture to show me.

All through this, he sat still, fixing my mother with his beady stare.

A short horned grasshopper, but which one?  There are some 10,000 types, and I wouldn't know which one this is.

But check out the camouflage.  My mother sure was alert to spot this chap.