Australia 5

Eastern Whipbird 

Eastern Yellow Robin 

Striated Pardalote

Splendid Fairy Wren

White-browed Scrubwren 

Yellow-throated Scrubwren

Australia-4

Barking Owl 

Barn Owl

Wedge-tailed Eagle 

Australia-3

Australian Black Swan

Australian Pelican

Australian Fur Seals

Australian Sea Lion

Australia-2

King Parrot

Crimson  Rosella

Galah

Australia-1

King Parrot

Crimson  Rosella

Galah

haiku

in midday light, skunk

and five pups with tails high throw

caution to the wind

Messenger from the Gods

Messenger from the Gods

     Quetzal, Quetzal, springtime bright,
     Dressed in green and red and white
     That’s iridescent in the light
     Of morning at a mountain’s height.

     Resplendent Quetzal flying free
     Perched upon a feathery tree
     Bedecked with ferns and mossy lace,
     A forest with a different face.

     Endangered Quetzal posed so proud
     Disappearing in a cloud
     That harbors a fertile midday mist—
     A ghost no more while we insist.

     (quetzal = ket-'sȁl)