PROMPT: Wild Animals

Daily writing prompt
Do you ever see wild animals?

Yes, frequently. Even in the city where I live, Bangalore, I see black kites, herons, and egrets on a daily basis, as well as the occasional monkey (macaque.) [Notably, Bangalore — like Mumbai — has had issues with Leopards in the city, but I’ve never seen them.] But when I travel to wilderness areas, there’s lots of wildlife to be seen. A couple weeks ago I visited Ranganathittu Sanctuary and saw marsh crocodiles, macaques, pelicans, and painted storks. In India, I’ve seen rhino, wild elephant, mongoose, cobra, and many other creatures. In Africa, I’ve seen most of the big ones (lion, elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, cape buffalo, etc.)

I was just learning from the wildlife in the park this morning as I watched chipmunks scurry around in a circle of ravens, and that kind of surprised me that the chipmunks didn’t seem phased. I see ravens eating bigger rodents (city rats are about the size of housecats,) but they made no moves on the chipmunks. Maybe chipmunks have stronger kung fu, or maybe they just don’t have enough meat on the bones. I don’t know.

A bird… and if you look closely, you’ll see an elephant under it.

Painted Stork [Haiku]

a painted stork
stands so still on one leg,
passers think it fake.

DAILY PHOTO: Macaques at Ranganathittu

Barbwire Bee-Eater [Senryū]

a bee-eater lands
 on a barbed wire fence
  for a cozy rest.

Mugger Mugged [Lyric Poem]

The river runs through the birdlands.
   Each isle is alive with their nests.
 The course is skimmed by pelicans,
   snatching fish to later digest.

The croc is hunting those waters,
   just eyes and stony tail peeks out.
 It'd love a fish, snake, or otter,
   but food 's any meat near its snout.

The bird that flies into its gullet,
   the tourist dangling limb from the boat.
 If it could find freshwater mullet,
   it wouldn't eat that armless farmer's goat.   

DAILY PHOTO: Spot-Billed Pelican

Crash / Landing [Haiku]

the pelican flares
 to land on a branch
  with barely a bounce.

DAILY PHOTO: Mugger Crocodiles of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Look Carefully!

PROMPT: Animals

What are your favorite animals?

All the non-human ones are pretty awesome, and even the humans can be tolerable in the proper dosage.

Pile of Sleeping Cats [Haiku]

counting ears
 to learn how many cats,
  but how deep 's the pile?