The Forces of Nature - Fire
(From 'Seeds the Chronicle.' An omitted chapter)
The Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009
In February 2009 the television news was dominated by the devastating events of the Black Saturday bushfires which started near Kilmore and spread to the towns of Kinglake and Marysville. The fire affected 78 townships and took the lives of 173 people and injuring another 414. There wasn’t a community in Victoria that wasn’t affected by the extreme nature of this tragedy. It was as if the fetid smoke of the fire hung over the whole state for months following the actual events. There seemed to be a heightening fear of extreme weather and the possibility of more devastating episodes.
Every small rural town in Victoria that had been spared on that day wondered if they might be next.
Tristan, Marina and John spent Black Saturday keeping the nursery plants alive, watering by hand every few hours. The wind was far too gusty and strong for their automatic micro-sprinklers, which did the bulk of the summer watering. If they got through the day without any plants drying out in the extreme heat they would be surprised. John was also on call to drive the County Fire Authority’s tanker, should a fire break out in their district.
Every small rural town in Victoria that had been spared on that day wondered if they might be next.
Tristan, Marina and John spent Black Saturday keeping the nursery plants alive, watering by hand every few hours. The wind was far too gusty and strong for their automatic micro-sprinklers, which did the bulk of the summer watering. If they got through the day without any plants drying out in the extreme heat they would be surprised. John was also on call to drive the County Fire Authority’s tanker, should a fire break out in their district.
“Thanks for your help with the watering Tris”, said John. “I’ve been amazed at your improved stamina over the last week”.
“I’ve been feeling so much better in myself Dad, I’ve almost forgetting what it was like to be always getting sick. If I had a week when I didn’t have a runny nose, a sneezing fit or a wheezy chest it was unusual. I’ve felt well for the last week and sometimes I feel like I could burst, I’ve got so much energy.
“I’m so pleased to hear that Tris”, John said standing back and looking his son up and down. “I could never understand where your sickness came from because you were such a healthy baby. Let’s hope this improvement continues and you keep getting stronger”
“Me too Dad, I’ve got a good feeling about it” said Tristan with self belief.
Two days following Black Saturday the weather was cooler and Tristan felt drawn to the place which he associated with all the positive changes in his life. If he had been visiting a health spar with healing artesian waters every day for the past fortnight, the health and emotional benefits he felt would have made more sense. But whether it was logical or illogical he didn’t care. It was clear to him that the changes were real and tangible. Why, hadn’t he done twenty push-ups for the first time in his life this morning and when he bent his arms and clenched his fists his biceps bulged like a tennis balls.
This was all so new to him that he wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, perhaps he had never really looked before. It had certainly never interested him since physical strength and endurance always seemed so far out of his reach.
“I’ve been feeling so much better in myself Dad, I’ve almost forgetting what it was like to be always getting sick. If I had a week when I didn’t have a runny nose, a sneezing fit or a wheezy chest it was unusual. I’ve felt well for the last week and sometimes I feel like I could burst, I’ve got so much energy.
“I’m so pleased to hear that Tris”, John said standing back and looking his son up and down. “I could never understand where your sickness came from because you were such a healthy baby. Let’s hope this improvement continues and you keep getting stronger”
“Me too Dad, I’ve got a good feeling about it” said Tristan with self belief.
Two days following Black Saturday the weather was cooler and Tristan felt drawn to the place which he associated with all the positive changes in his life. If he had been visiting a health spar with healing artesian waters every day for the past fortnight, the health and emotional benefits he felt would have made more sense. But whether it was logical or illogical he didn’t care. It was clear to him that the changes were real and tangible. Why, hadn’t he done twenty push-ups for the first time in his life this morning and when he bent his arms and clenched his fists his biceps bulged like a tennis balls.
This was all so new to him that he wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, perhaps he had never really looked before. It had certainly never interested him since physical strength and endurance always seemed so far out of his reach.
He placed his back against the trunk of the old River Red Gum
He placed his back against the trunk of the old River Red Gum
With all these positive and strange thoughts going through his head he masterfully crabbed his way down the steep slope into the Gorge and jogged to the old River Red Gum where he sat down and placed his back against the ancient trunk. He now felt as comfortable sitting here as he did in his own soft lounge chair in his bedroom. As if on cue he felt himself relax and begin sinking into the tree. The sun and the moon began their rhythmical cycles from west to east as if the earth was unwinding. He allowed his instinct to guide him into a past that he had not seen before.
As Tristan slowed the passage of time and the landscape before him gradually changed from a featureless strobed day-night blur to the breathtaking hard lines of the sandstone wall in the background and soft textures of sand and water in the foreground. He took in the familiar colours and smells of a scorching hot summer’s day and felt his energy draining from him.
Above him Wedge-tailed Eagles soared high in majestic circles riding the uprising thermals of warm air
Above him Wedge-tailed Eagles soared high in majestic circles riding the uprising thermals of warm airIt must have been about midday because the searing sun was high in an intense blue northern sky with occasional wisps of white cloud offering some hope of a change in the weather to come. The Leigh River was now only a trickle, a sure sign that it had been dry for a long time and the deep expansive pond into which it flowed had now shrunk to a series of small pools connected only by a narrow run of water.
The grass on the flood plain was long and dry, a lifeless silver grey, an effect of long hot days of baking until its familiar yellow colour was rendered into benign submission. The dry inward curling leaves of the mature trees showed that even the life giving soil was as dry as dune sand to the depth of the deepest roots. Everything pulsed with the shimmer of extreme heat and the expectancy, the hope of some relief to come.
Above him he could see three Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring high in the sky in majestic circles riding on the uprising thermals of warm air. Even though these magnificent birds were little more than drifting specs against the blue sky, he could make out the characteristic wedge shape of their tail and the sight of them filled him with awe.
The grass on the flood plain was long and dry, a lifeless silver grey, an effect of long hot days of baking until its familiar yellow colour was rendered into benign submission. The dry inward curling leaves of the mature trees showed that even the life giving soil was as dry as dune sand to the depth of the deepest roots. Everything pulsed with the shimmer of extreme heat and the expectancy, the hope of some relief to come.
Above him he could see three Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring high in the sky in majestic circles riding on the uprising thermals of warm air. Even though these magnificent birds were little more than drifting specs against the blue sky, he could make out the characteristic wedge shape of their tail and the sight of them filled him with awe.
Gorse, Ulex europeus was introduced from Wales as a hedging plant. It soon spread and became a problem weed in low damp areas
Gorse, Ulex europeus was introduced from Wales as a hedging plant. It soon spread and became a problem weed in low damp areasTristan’s gaze fell on the ‘Trojan Horse’ of the plant world, a popular upright clumping grass first introduced to Australian farms from the Mediterranean region in the 1880’s as a drought hardy pasture grass. Phalaris did prove to be a success as a hardy pasture grass but it also quickly spread into native grasslands and new plantations, overpowering young trees by sucking all the available moisture from parched summer soils.
He then saw the yellow flowers and prickly foliage of his old Welsh enemy, and he knew that this was a fairly modern time. Both the Phalaris and Gorse were sparse and scattered, as if they had only just found their way to the Gorge. Yet here they both were and in such small numbers that a few hours with a sharp spade would have ended their advance and may have changed the course of local weed history.
Aside from dry native grass, the landscape was quite bare of shrubby vegetation. The thick runs of Woolly Tea-tree and River Bottle Brush were now absent save a few scattered survivors, and the clumps of Snowy Mint-bush had also acquiesced to the years of hungry Merinos grazing in the valley.
Only the Tree Violet with its arsenal of long thorns had managed to buck the general trend toward extinction. The change toward the mix of plants that he associated with the present day had been set in motion by drought, weed invasion and overstocking with sheep.
He then saw the yellow flowers and prickly foliage of his old Welsh enemy, and he knew that this was a fairly modern time. Both the Phalaris and Gorse were sparse and scattered, as if they had only just found their way to the Gorge. Yet here they both were and in such small numbers that a few hours with a sharp spade would have ended their advance and may have changed the course of local weed history.
Aside from dry native grass, the landscape was quite bare of shrubby vegetation. The thick runs of Woolly Tea-tree and River Bottle Brush were now absent save a few scattered survivors, and the clumps of Snowy Mint-bush had also acquiesced to the years of hungry Merinos grazing in the valley.
Only the Tree Violet with its arsenal of long thorns had managed to buck the general trend toward extinction. The change toward the mix of plants that he associated with the present day had been set in motion by drought, weed invasion and overstocking with sheep.
Huge flocks of Corellas and Cockatoos were flying ahead of the storm
Huge flocks of Corellas and Cockatoos were flying ahead of the storm. Tristan’s attention was drawn back from his thoughts by a distant rumbling. It was a sound that he felt in his chest in the complete stillness of the afternoon. It was a stillness that he found unnerving and strangely there was no bird song or rustling of leaves. Even the river was silent, the months of dry weather muffling its familiar cheerful voice.
The clouds in the western sky were slowly building, the white wispy clouds having given way to a darker and more foreboding scene. Black cumulus clouds were marching with purpose and the rumblings were becoming louder.
Huge flocks of Corellas and Cockatoos were flying ahead of the storm dappling the dark sky with specs of white and shrieking their warnings to all who were prepared to listen. The tension was growing as Tristan watched the dramatic scene unfold.
The leaves in the old River Red Gum were now quietly slapping as the breeze rose out of the stillness. It was as if it had been just released by some hidden restraining force. So sudden was the change from stillness to gusts of strong wind that Tristan’s breathe was sucked away, as if it too was needed for the events to come.
The clouds in the western sky were slowly building, the white wispy clouds having given way to a darker and more foreboding scene. Black cumulus clouds were marching with purpose and the rumblings were becoming louder.
Huge flocks of Corellas and Cockatoos were flying ahead of the storm dappling the dark sky with specs of white and shrieking their warnings to all who were prepared to listen. The tension was growing as Tristan watched the dramatic scene unfold.
The leaves in the old River Red Gum were now quietly slapping as the breeze rose out of the stillness. It was as if it had been just released by some hidden restraining force. So sudden was the change from stillness to gusts of strong wind that Tristan’s breathe was sucked away, as if it too was needed for the events to come.
An old Manna Gum stag, long dead and full of hollows in its empty heart
An old Manna Gum stag, long dead and full of hollows in its empty heartThe heavy darkness was suddenly lit up by a fork of lightening from the west and Tristan automatically began to count one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand until the primal crack and deep rumble of thunder overpowered all other earthly sounds. “Three seconds equals one kilometre away” Tristan thought.
The darkness continued to grow, broken only by frequent flashes that seemed to be surrounding him. Under the dark clouds appeared some of the wispy white clouds that had lead the storm into the Gorge. It was as if they were conducting the afternoon’s performance while they drifted and swirled beneath the black clouds quite unaffected by their pomp and splendour.
Flash then Crack-Boom went the orchestra and Tristan didn’t even start his count realising that the might of the storm was directly overhead. Now a few drops of rain began to fall, these soon being followed by heavy rain and a further flash-crack-boom and crack as the lightening found its target. An old Manna Gum stag, long dead and full of hollows in its empty heart.
As quickly as it came, it was finished and the storm passed on to new horizons, but it had left in its wake a smouldering dead tree.
The darkness continued to grow, broken only by frequent flashes that seemed to be surrounding him. Under the dark clouds appeared some of the wispy white clouds that had lead the storm into the Gorge. It was as if they were conducting the afternoon’s performance while they drifted and swirled beneath the black clouds quite unaffected by their pomp and splendour.
Flash then Crack-Boom went the orchestra and Tristan didn’t even start his count realising that the might of the storm was directly overhead. Now a few drops of rain began to fall, these soon being followed by heavy rain and a further flash-crack-boom and crack as the lightening found its target. An old Manna Gum stag, long dead and full of hollows in its empty heart.
As quickly as it came, it was finished and the storm passed on to new horizons, but it had left in its wake a smouldering dead tree.
The fire was burning fiercely inside the old tree
This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hillThe dry grass, which like Tristan had been only a spectator in the unfolding events, now took centre stage as the hungry flames reaching up toward the cloudless sky, as if trying to win the attention of its thankless master.
The moderate wind that followed the storm now combined with a thermal updraft of hot air generated by the extreme heat in the valley. This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hill toward the grassy basalt plain, faster than a man can run. Its trajectory would take it toward the township of Teesdale about seven kilometres to the south-east.
The spread of the grass fire was so swift that Tristan could no longer see the western fire front from where he sat as it had crested the hill and was gone leaving only smoldering embers in its wake.
The River and its dry reedy vegetation was like the wick in a kerosene lamp, fueling the fire as it burnt south along its channel, igniting the dry grass on its banks, broadening the fire front until it seemed that in just a few minutes the whole valley and hillside was alight for as far as the eye could see.
The moderate wind that followed the storm now combined with a thermal updraft of hot air generated by the extreme heat in the valley. This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hill toward the grassy basalt plain, faster than a man can run. Its trajectory would take it toward the township of Teesdale about seven kilometres to the south-east.
The spread of the grass fire was so swift that Tristan could no longer see the western fire front from where he sat as it had crested the hill and was gone leaving only smoldering embers in its wake.
The River and its dry reedy vegetation was like the wick in a kerosene lamp, fueling the fire as it burnt south along its channel, igniting the dry grass on its banks, broadening the fire front until it seemed that in just a few minutes the whole valley and hillside was alight for as far as the eye could see.
This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hill
The dry grass, which like Tristan had been only a spectator in the unfolding events, now took centre stage as the hungry flames reaching up toward the cloudless sky, as if trying to win the attention of its thankless master.
The moderate wind that followed the storm now combined with a thermal updraft of hot air generated by the extreme heat in the valley. This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hill toward the grassy basalt plain, faster than a man can run. Its trajectory would take it toward the township of Teesdale about seven kilometres to the south-east.
The spread of the grass fire was so swift that Tristan could no longer see the western fire front from where he sat as it had crested the hill and was gone leaving only smoldering embers in its wake.
The River and its dry reedy vegetation was like the wick in a kerosene lamp, fueling the fire as it burnt south along its channel, igniting the dry grass on its banks, broadening the fire front until it seemed that in just a few minutes the whole valley and hillside was alight for as far as the eye could see.
The moderate wind that followed the storm now combined with a thermal updraft of hot air generated by the extreme heat in the valley. This anabatic effect was multiplied by the withering heat generated by the tinder dry burning grass whose flames were now moving up the hill toward the grassy basalt plain, faster than a man can run. Its trajectory would take it toward the township of Teesdale about seven kilometres to the south-east.
The spread of the grass fire was so swift that Tristan could no longer see the western fire front from where he sat as it had crested the hill and was gone leaving only smoldering embers in its wake.
The River and its dry reedy vegetation was like the wick in a kerosene lamp, fueling the fire as it burnt south along its channel, igniting the dry grass on its banks, broadening the fire front until it seemed that in just a few minutes the whole valley and hillside was alight for as far as the eye could see.
Swamp Wallaby, Wallabia bicolor
Swamp Wallaby, Wallabia bicolorTristan watched a frightened Swamp Wallaby, the size of a Blue Healer, its chocolate brown coat glistening in the sun and its long tapering tail moving gracefully up and down to balance its enormous leaps, attempting to outrun the stampeding fire. If it stayed in the river valley it stood a chance, but if it left the valley the speed of the fire travelling uphill was many times faster and would soon overtake the exhausted animal. The Wallaby disappeared from site leaving only the echoing thud of its pounding hind feet.
The sheep in the paddock would have had no chance of escaping as the fire drove them into the farthest corner. The poor animals pressed into the fence corner by the frightened mob may have been the lucky ones. Tristan thought some of these might have even survived, protected from the radiant heat by the poor sheep between them and the raging fire.
Tristan looked out over the blackened scene as the western sun shone on a hillside that did not have a blade of grass remaining. So absolute was the fires destruction on its path to the east. Along the creek patches of reed were miraculously spared though many of the bushes had blackened trunks, their leaves curled and dry as if the life had been scorched out of them.
The Gorse and the Phalaris had burned so hot that only white ash remained on the blackened ground, like the wrecked skeleton of a formless animal. He hoped that that might be an end to them, but he knew that the autumn rains would give life to the thousands of their seeds laying dormant in the scorched earth. He understood at that moment why there were so many of them along the creek in 2010.
The first visitors to the parched scene were the raptors and magpies. The resident Peregrine Falcon was lifting a dead rat into the air, carrying it back to its nest on the sandstone cliff.
Three Wedge-tailed Eagles landed only metres away and began dismembering a dead lamb. Standing at full height their eyes would have met Tristan’s eyes at the same level as he sat on the flat boulder with his back to the old tree. He felt fortunate that they couldn’t see him, their hooked beaks and sharp talons at such close range looked so menacing he felt a shiver run up his spine.
The first visitors to the parched scene were the raptors and magpies
The first visitors to the parched scene were the raptors and magpies. A magpie too circled in a very familiar way and alighted only a metre from Tristan’s perch. It looked toward him and carolled, the lilt in its voice taking him back to other times that he had sat here watching history unfold. It was over one hundred and fifty years since he had first met Parwon, the boy with his pet magpie. Could this bird have descended from that remarkable bird. It certainly behaved the same way, a confidence and pluckiness beyond most other Magpies. It made him feel good to imagine that this bird was a link with magpies that had lived in the Gorge for thousands of years and that it carried with it the culture and the language of the generations of Magpies before it.
The idea of a Magpie language and culture was an interesting one and from his own observation he felt that they were very intelligent birds. He could remember his grandfather saying that Magpies had a distinctive danger call that other birds in ‘The Country’ reacted to. Magpies would use this call if an eagle was circling nearby and all the other birds would look up and then take cover.
The idea of a Magpie language and culture was an interesting one and from his own observation he felt that they were very intelligent birds. He could remember his grandfather saying that Magpies had a distinctive danger call that other birds in ‘The Country’ reacted to. Magpies would use this call if an eagle was circling nearby and all the other birds would look up and then take cover.
Authors note: 'The destruction wrought by the January 8th 1969 fires stretched the magnificent system of volunteers and their then modern communications, to the limit. The count of stock losses 25,000 as listed in the press shortly afterwards, included 12,000 sheep in the Shire of Leigh. Six bulldozers, six front-end loaders and fourteen trucks were in use burying those destroyed in the Shelford –Teesdale area. The extensive list of losses in the Leigh district were a number of houses, a bluestone woolshed, a hay shed, grassland, standing crops of wheat and oats, farm machinery and miles of fencing.’ (G. Seaton, 1988. Gold Reef & Silver Tussock. Pub. Shire of Leigh).
The Tiger Snake, Notechis scutatus, looked like a fleshy black and yellow striped turban
He had been so engrossed in the unfolding drama of the birth of the devastating 1969 bush fire that he was completely unaware of his own feelings. But now he was conscious of a strange sensation. What he felt on his lap was so unfamiliar that it brought him quickly back to the present. Tristan lowered his eyes and gazed somewhat apprehensively at what should have been his legs. Instead, he saw something that would have struck a deep fear into the hearts of most people. Though, strangely he felt only wonder as he took in the form of the largest Tiger Snake he had ever seen. It was coiled in a fleshy black and yellow turban on his lap.
Its muscular body was as thick as his lower forearm, and he guessed that it would have been well over two metres long. The magnificent creature was perfectly at home sunning itself on his warm lap, which it no doubt thought was part of the flat boulder.
Tristan felt some sympathy for the animal, knowing that his works cutting, and painting Gorse with herbicide had likely disturbed its sleepy torpor and woken it earlier than usual. Snakes at this time of the year can be particularly unpredictable, and he guessed that they too could be a little grumpy if woken early from a deep sleep. The fact that his new companion was capable of inflicting a fatal bite was also concerning him.
Its muscular body was as thick as his lower forearm, and he guessed that it would have been well over two metres long. The magnificent creature was perfectly at home sunning itself on his warm lap, which it no doubt thought was part of the flat boulder.
Tristan felt some sympathy for the animal, knowing that his works cutting, and painting Gorse with herbicide had likely disturbed its sleepy torpor and woken it earlier than usual. Snakes at this time of the year can be particularly unpredictable, and he guessed that they too could be a little grumpy if woken early from a deep sleep. The fact that his new companion was capable of inflicting a fatal bite was also concerning him.
He had never been this close to a tiger snake before and rarely saw them. He took the view of most bush walkers that the thumping vibrations of his hard souled boots hitting the ground as he walked was enough for snakes to move out of the way to avoid contact with humans.
He was however in a very dangerous situation though he was fascinated by this close encounter. He could see its dark intelligent eyes looking directly at him and decided that the only thing he could do was to sit it out. Surely the snake would move away soon or at least when the sun went down and the day began to cool. But then again it had found a heated ‘boulder’ to lie on so it could stay curled up here for hours even after dark.
Tristan had no experience handling snakes and felt that if he tried to reach over and take a firm hold of its head it would very likely strike him in defence and its reaction would be lightening fast. So he resolved to sit it out as he had no way of retreating. Though he didn’t know how long he could sit on the hard surface of the boulder without moving a muscle.
He was suppressing the urge to shift in his seat, and he didn’t know how much longer he could last. The snake's gaze seemed to have shifted slightly as if it was looking past him, or perhaps he was only imagining it. His backside was now really aching, and he realised that because the boulder was actually now quite cold, he was feeling twinges of cramp developing in his right thigh.
He was however in a very dangerous situation though he was fascinated by this close encounter. He could see its dark intelligent eyes looking directly at him and decided that the only thing he could do was to sit it out. Surely the snake would move away soon or at least when the sun went down and the day began to cool. But then again it had found a heated ‘boulder’ to lie on so it could stay curled up here for hours even after dark.
Tristan had no experience handling snakes and felt that if he tried to reach over and take a firm hold of its head it would very likely strike him in defence and its reaction would be lightening fast. So he resolved to sit it out as he had no way of retreating. Though he didn’t know how long he could sit on the hard surface of the boulder without moving a muscle.
He was suppressing the urge to shift in his seat, and he didn’t know how much longer he could last. The snake's gaze seemed to have shifted slightly as if it was looking past him, or perhaps he was only imagining it. His backside was now really aching, and he realised that because the boulder was actually now quite cold, he was feeling twinges of cramp developing in his right thigh.
The Tiger Snake began to move, slowly curling around his torso and moving up his body. Its head soon was level with the exposed parts of his neck. Tristan was feeling quite alarmed, not for the first time, realising that even if he swallowed, the movement of his Adams Apple would attract the attention of the snake. It might strike at what may look like a small rodent clinging to the tree’s trunk.
The snake seemed to be moving with a purpose as it continued to slither and climb higher, its head moving toward a low branch a metre or so above Tristan’s left shoulder. Tristan was amazed that it could climb so well. He was now able to ease himself to his feet, giving his aching buttocks a vigorous and most grateful rub.
He could now see what had interested the Tiger Snake, as a second player entered the developing drama. A Willie Wagtail, its black wings flapping, began flying directly at the snake making a rattling rik-rik-rik-rik sound. A small bird about the size of a House Sparrow, it made up for its lack of size with boldness and courage. It was trying to drive the snake away from its nest of chicks further along the low branch.
The snake seemed to be moving with a purpose as it continued to slither and climb higher, its head moving toward a low branch a metre or so above Tristan’s left shoulder. Tristan was amazed that it could climb so well. He was now able to ease himself to his feet, giving his aching buttocks a vigorous and most grateful rub.
He could now see what had interested the Tiger Snake, as a second player entered the developing drama. A Willie Wagtail, its black wings flapping, began flying directly at the snake making a rattling rik-rik-rik-rik sound. A small bird about the size of a House Sparrow, it made up for its lack of size with boldness and courage. It was trying to drive the snake away from its nest of chicks further along the low branch.
The Willie Wagtail is fearless, quick, and a remarkable survivor.
The Willie Wagtail, Rhipidura leucophrys is fearless, quick and a remarkable survivor. Only a small bird about the size of a House Sparrow, it made up for its lack of size with its boldness and courage as it tried to drive the snake away from its nest of chicks further up the low branch.
The snake faked a strike and hissed as the black and white form dodged and attacked its beak only a breath away from the snakes left eye. The snake flattened its neck and lifted its head. It waited momentarily, preparing to strike it's attacker if it dared to come so close again. The Willie Wagtail hovered above the snake, recognising the danger but unwilling to allow the snake to advance along the branch.
For what seemed like minutes, the two waited without a move, the bird now perched on the branch within the snake's striking distance. The snake began to edge forward, its head still held up menacingly, but the bird held its ground as if drawing a line in the sand beyond which the snake should not pass.
Then the snake drove its head forward like a cannon ball seeking its target, but the Willie Wagtail had somehow vanished and was attacking from the rear, causing the snake to twist its head and upper body in defense. This unexpected manoeuvre was enough to alter its balance, and it slowly slid from the branch landing with a soft thud only a metre from Tristan’s feet.
He stood absolutely still and watched as the small bird pressed home its advantage and began diving and swooping making its rattling sound. The snake gave a half-hearted hiss and slithered away into the tussock grasses near the river’s edge and disappeared from view.
The snake faked a strike and hissed as the black and white form dodged and attacked its beak only a breath away from the snakes left eye. The snake flattened its neck and lifted its head. It waited momentarily, preparing to strike it's attacker if it dared to come so close again. The Willie Wagtail hovered above the snake, recognising the danger but unwilling to allow the snake to advance along the branch.
For what seemed like minutes, the two waited without a move, the bird now perched on the branch within the snake's striking distance. The snake began to edge forward, its head still held up menacingly, but the bird held its ground as if drawing a line in the sand beyond which the snake should not pass.
Then the snake drove its head forward like a cannon ball seeking its target, but the Willie Wagtail had somehow vanished and was attacking from the rear, causing the snake to twist its head and upper body in defense. This unexpected manoeuvre was enough to alter its balance, and it slowly slid from the branch landing with a soft thud only a metre from Tristan’s feet.
He stood absolutely still and watched as the small bird pressed home its advantage and began diving and swooping making its rattling sound. The snake gave a half-hearted hiss and slithered away into the tussock grasses near the river’s edge and disappeared from view.
