Christmas Eve, Valla Beach
Xmas eve 2014, Deep Creek, for Wyn
Low tide exposes shaves and slicks, pools,
cramped deltas, stingray hollows illuminated by
a sky ripping coral streaks and spinning perse discs,
a particular language of cloud. If death could
be found it would be here, sinking in the sluggish
flow of inky, blue, golden, transparent water.
The tide is starting to drive the sea up channel,
a Brahminy Kite flying across the river mouth
announces sunrise – the flock of cormorants
fly in on schedule. I look around, you are
photographing our star flooding the sea too,
our lives mesh as if Santa is coming.
After our Xmas party last night, it was good to get up early and clear the head.
Amidst festivities, we were on the balcony and a Square-tailed Kite sailed right over head being mobbed by a group of Galahs, then a few minutes later two raptors, a little to the east (we think Pacific Bazas) came the other way. There were plenty of Black Cockatoos and Needle-tail Swifts and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets and Rainbows with a family of five Kookaburras calling from the branch overhanging the entrance to the forest. Birds belong to every festive occasion.
A few days ago I interrupted lunch with friends hearing a ruckus, and two ospreys were flying overhead, followed by a sea-eagle followed by three angry magpies.
