ocean drifter
storm stranded on shore
lonely death
As we followed the fox prints across Norman Beach at Wilson’s Promontory National Park Jill spotted this dead and partly decomposed Yellow Bellied Sea Snake. The fox had clearly decided not to snack on it and soon the body would have been taken out by the tide. WE have never seen one of these snakes. They generally drift on the warmer South Pacific currents and live, feed and die on the water right across the Pacific Ocean. They rarely reach the colder Southern coast of the mainland or Tasmania. There had been some storms in the Tasman Sea in April and probably this poor little snake was churned around and dragged down into colder waters leading to its death.
This is my contribution to RonovanWrites weekly haiku poetry prompt challenge 156 OCEAN & SHORE. To read all the other haiku responses to Ronovan’s challenge visit https://ronovanwrites.com/2017/07/03/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-156-oceanshore/
Haiku hound 
RIP poor snake. It looks as if his spirit has long gone onto his next journey.
LikeLike
It had, some days earlier.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never thought I would empathise with a snake. Well done!
LikeLike
Sad!
LikeLike
We thought so too. This poor snake was so far from its usual habitat. The colder water would not have been kind.
LikeLike
I’m not a fan of snakes Denis but your photos made me feel quite sad for the poor thing. I have to say that your haiku and photos certainly evoke empathy for the poor snake.
LikeLike
I am glad to hear the positive response Sue. I grew up seeing snakes regularly and got to admire them, except when they chase you, as in Tiger Snakes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never thought I would be mourning a snake… however I can only imagine this creature feeling abandoned, and scared. I see it now, as free and happy, having shed the skin of this lifetime!
LikeLike
My haiku has worked wonders for the snake cause. This poor sea snake possibly drifted dead many days before being washed up at this beach.
LikeLike
Perfect haiku for your unexpected discovery. I too surprised myself for feeling sorry for its untimely death.
LikeLike
Thanks Olga. There is power of persuasion in haiku.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Certainly is and you used it well. “Lonely death.”
LikeLike
So sad…the storms and cold.
LikeLike
Nature at work Lizl but also we wonder if climate change has contributed. This was Winter time and a long way from home, did slightly warmer currents lure the snake down then the storm kicked in.
LikeLike
That snake doesn’t look dead! Ha ha… Perhaps the sea air preserved it. Here’s to his preservation in our memories via your thoughtful haiku. RIP.
LikeLike
It was quite dried out, in the flesh this one would have been quite big. Nothing for scavengers to eat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes~~ those sea snakes freak me out so bad. When I first saw your photo I was like… Denis is a crazy Aussie man *LOL* When I read and realised that it was a dead snake, you instantly sound more normal 😛
LikeLike
We were in Fiji swimming after a cyclone once, there were sea snakes everywhere, on the sea bed, in the water, heads out of the water, after a while we quietly got out. But generally Joyce snakes are not a problem we have them everywhere here. Usually they get out of the way. Its the Tiger snakes in the mating season that get nasty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
(faint) I am terrified of those things. All they need to do is twitch and I get scared. 😅
LikeLike
A sad haiku that honours this impressive looking snake ( I think I must have a minor phobia… I shudder a bit just looking at it dead)
LikeLike
It was a sad sight but also fascinating to find this snake in waters where it should not have been.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never seen a snake like that. It’s pretty with the yellow underbelly and flat tail. Your haiku is very good although a bit sad.
LikeLike
Thanks Vashti.
If you go to California or Mexico or Panama on the Pacific coast you would see them.
LikeLike
Snakes have always given me the heebie-jeebies!
LikeLike
They just want to get on with their business usually. We interfering humans upset their outlook at times and then problems arise..
LikeLiked by 1 person