Shaika's Space

When in ‘দাদুর বাড়ি’ - which translates to paternal grandfather’s home.

When I started wildlife photography, I, unexpectedly found out, that my paternal grandfather’s home in Rajshahi, where I spent half of my winter vacations and most of my Eid holidays, is actually a hub for birds.

I only knew three birds: কাক, শালিক, টিয়া (house crow, common myna, rose-ringed parakeet) before I started photographing birds. That was my entire bird world. Needless to say, I didn’t really notice birds.

Discovering that so many birds exist in this country, and many of them in Rajshahi, completely baffled me. Everytime someone from the wildlife community now, asks where my paternal grandfather’s home is, and I say Rajshahi, they smile and say - “পাখির দেশের মানুষ” (She comes from the land of birds.)

I had been seeing photos of Rajshahi’s birds ever since I started photographing wildlife, but life and work kept pulling me away. This year, when one of my cousins was heading back abroad, I finally went to Rajshahi, and went out to photograph.

I photographed birds I had only ever seen in pictures.

I went again in May, this time for the Little Tern and the Indian Paradise Flycatcher. It felt surreal.

I never knew there were so many ways to rediscover my grandfather’s home, but somehow, through wings and feathers, I did.
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#shaikas_space
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