Departure published on spillwords.com

Experience a bus ride like no other in #Departure, my latest short story now live on www.spillwords.com/departure

Join a middle-aged woman as she observes the passengers on a journey of insight and engagement. Don't miss out! #amwriting #shortstory #publication

Kea

Kea (Nestor notabilis) observing humans, Mt Luxmore Te Anau

White-faced Heron

White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae)

It started out as a log!

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

Slant-faced grasshopper ponders the future

Giant Slant-faced Grasshopper (Acrida conica)

Galah

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)

Tank of an insect

Giant or Hedge Grasshopper (Valanga irregularis)

Julgira

Julgira or Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae) Not a Cuckoo, not a Shrike :-)

Black Swan

Western Australian Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)

And…?

Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)

Bottle Brush, Bee, and Wasp

Bottle Brush (Callistemon spp). Pollen for bee (Apis mellifera)

Grub for wasp (Cryptocheilus bicolor)

Grand old Eucalypt

Illyarrie

Illyarrie (Eucalyptus erythrocorys)

Edible Lilly Pilly

Edible Lilly Pilly (Syzygium smithii). Myrtle, antibacterial properties, rich in vitamin c, "Like sours", cloves mixed with green apples

Stick Mimicking Grasshopper

“I’m not a stick” “I’m not a phasmid” :-)

Ground Chicken :-) Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)

Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)

Pond fern, (Azolla pinnata)

Pond fern, (Azolla pinnata) adds nitrogen and prevents algal blooms. However, natural balance is needed. If it overgrows it can deplete oxygen in the water!

Edible succulent; Samphire, (Sarcocornia quinqueflora)

Burned to produce soda ash, it can be used to make soap or glass.