Tiny beautiful things
A tiny balcony on the third floor of the run-down Regent Building, sandwiched between the Regal cinema and the Secretariat Railway Station – has become a ‘haven of nature’ for a family of four.
The favourite food of the parakeets that the family has brought from Chilaw and grown in their garden
Father Thushara Amarasinghe explains that paddy brought from their field in Chilaw which would be dried on their balcony, became the main attraction for hungry parakeets. The birds have been visiting for five years now with the family continuing to feeding them. In this asphalt jungle where there is hardly water or food for such creatures – pigeons and squirrels too come a-visiting.
It’s a thrilling sight when the birds arrive and makes for a pleasant view from the family’s sitting room and kitchen. A welcome distraction for city dwellers caught up in the rat race of work and home chores.
Son Brian helping to keep the garden alive
The balcony-turned-lush garden
A balm for tired eyes
Rearing honey-bees
The raw rice meal for the birds
The parakeets pecking at food and taking gulps of water
Brothers Brian (5) and Savinu (7) appreciating the wonders of nature