Sunsets play with human imaginations especially fiery red ones. Whenever there is a volcanic eruption in South East Asia we expect brilliant red sunsets in the near future. Fiery sunsets in Summer are also associated with bushfires in Australia, smoke creating horrific scenes with the setting sun. We are lucky in Bayside Melbourne to have a long view across the bay for our sunsets and can anticipate brilliant photographic opportunities with the right combination of cloud and atmosphere. I love photographing sunsets.
live sheep export cruelest conditions weep for them
One of the most inhumane aspects of Australia’s economic fantasy world is the live animal export market. For some years there is growing demand for our Federal government to stop this practice. Sheep are exported to the Middle East and cattle are exported to Asia to be killed and eaten.
This ship I photographed some years ago at Fremantle in Western Australia is designed to carry sheep in absolutely unbearable, cruel conditions. I will not describe them however if you want to become a Vegan google Live sheep trade Australia. Most of the sheep that survive the journey are treated then killed in the most barbaric of ways. The trade of cattle to Asia is barely any better as often the abattoir processes the animals die in are as barbaric as the treatment of sheep in the Middle East.
There are 2 solutions to this deeply disturbing practice. 1. Stop the trade full stop and stop it NOW. Or if the demand for animal meat to be eaten in these markets is necessary!!!!!! then have animals humanely euthanised in Australian Abattoirs under strict humane conditions and the processed meat is exported in refrigerated ships.
Under our current valueless conservative government neither solution looks likely. Protests and lobbying for the animals will continue. Just one more battle the Australian people are currently fighting against their “elected” government. Anyone with half a brain and any compassion knows sheep and cattle are sentient beings with emotions and feelings. I am sure most farmers really know this, the conservative politicians and those who profit financially from this trade choose not to. Perhaps the latter could take a cruise on the ship above for a few days and rethink policy!! What do you think reader?
This Haiga is my response to Ronovan’s prompt for this weeks haiku. Visit his site to see more weep and sheep haiku at
sudden shock past and present gone dreams are crushed
Last Saturday morning Maggie and I were taking our regular early morning power walk . As we began to cross the Scout Hall park we were confronted by fire trucks everywhere. My first reaction was the scouts had let a campfire loose then as we neared the hall and the Primary School appeared it was suddenly obvious. The scene was frenetic, firemen were still playing water through windows and a huge gantry ladder hovered in the air metres above the roof line spewing water down through a smoking, gaping hole in the roof. eople were gathered in small groups along the opposite street and police were preventing pedestrians from continuing down past the school as smoke was still drifting heavily from the buildings.
My first reactions were disbelief, then one of hoping this was accidental in cause. Upon arriving home I shared the experience with Jill and later that day we went back with a camera and these photos were taken. There was a calmness in the air, however the scout hall had become a community focus point , many teachers, parents and students were there and it was obvious much grieving had happened and still was occurring. We could walk around the street perimeter and see the extent of the damage.
This immediate fire experience brought home the reality of what fire does to communities and even though no lives were lost or people injured and One building was damaged the flow on effects became obvious from local news and social media sources. 500 students, their teachers and support staff, all their surviving resources, materials, furniture etc would be relocated in two nearby government schools, further inpacting on those school communities. A multi million dollar rebuild will commence soon and the effects multiply onwards . Thousands of people woke up on saturday morning much the same as from the day before however by Monday their regular lifestyles were in turmoil, but organised turmoil generally speaking. This one local fire suddenly made us realise the immense effects to our nation from the vast bushfires experienced across South east and West Australia recently and some are still burning.
Those of you who have mentioned our recent FIRES or responded to my earlier comments may be interested in these 2 YOUTUBE links. The first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdGqTQkRVwE is a no holds barred documentary that takes the viewer into the horror of the fires and the immediate impact on people, animals and vegetation. The second https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrDkdcOkUkI is a public forum that runs every Monday night on National public television. It shares the effects thes fires had on communities and what Government must do. This is again graphic and heart wrenching. Each is about 45 minutes (no ads) and some of the best TV viewing you will ever experience. Please let me know if you watch one or both.
And if your contempt for Rupert Murdoch’s press and its Climate Change denial propaganda is as strong as most Australians watch this 10 minute youtube about how they still peddle this garbage even with these fires and their links to Climate Change .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s23q9DkCaVY
Postscript. 6 teenagers handed themselves in to local Police in regard to the school fire.
Maggie and I were taking one of our regular walks along the Black Rock Cliff path, however we were moving in the opposite direction from our natural approach. It was amazing to see totally different perspectives from another angle. I had never noticed this Ti tree branch sculpture before and it seemed to beckon our attention. My first thought was a bird lookout , then an insect diving board. Anyway it was worth a photo and then of course the haiku came later. When the bushfire smoke drifted over Melbourne visibility had obscured those rocks one can see in the water. The path ahead in the second photo, (or usually behind) is one of Maggie’s favourites because of the occasional rat that hops across in front of us creating much excitement. We know Tiger Snakes lurk here , (attracted by rats) but are yet to see one. We are so lucky to have this landscape only a few minutes drive from home.
These yachts are moored at the Mornington Yacht Club down the Southern end of Port Phillip bay. I took these photos one freezing wintery morning when sailing was not a high priority for the owners of the owners of these yachts. The intensity of storms on the bay can be measured by the number of losses at this club. More than one insurance claim is usually made each Winter . Unlike clubs further up the bay this one is not well protected by a large breakwater. Behind the yachts in the images is the city of Melbourne CBD on the skyline about 40 kilometres to the North.
This is my contribution to the 52 week PHOTO CHALLENGE, with COURAGE this weeks word challenging a talented group of photographers from across the globe. Visit this challenge at https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com/photo-challenge/ and find this weeks sharing on Wild Daffodil’s Home page.
April fourth and the sun and clouds conspired to paint a beautiful soft sunset scene, saying goodbye to the heat of summer and welcoming the mellowness of autumn.
These images were taken in quick succession from the cliffs at Black Rock overlooking Port Phillip Bay. Fish were obviously biting and these keen amateurs in their little boats were making the most of an early evening. Daylight Saving had ended two nights before.
Only a couple of months ago, (Spring!!) a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were nesting in a hollow at this tree site. Last Friday we were amazed at the number of Lorikeets and their frenzied activity at the same site. What were they up to? Then Ronavon posted his challenge and the answer was obvious, they were flash dancers dancing. There are 10 of them so what can we lead up to?
Kyoto often comes into my mind as I read, communicate with Japanese friends and compose haiku. I am drawn to return there but have to overcome my fear of flying, (not helped by numerous aviation incidents in recent times). With persistent encouragement from my wife Jill and my Japanese little sister Nak maybe 2016 is the year I shall return. These images were taken with print film in a pre digital age during September 2000 on my last trip to Japan guiding 4 teaching colleagues and 15 students.
This is my contribution to RonovanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge 76 Year&New . This wonderful prose / poetry sharing blog site managed by Ronovan, the maestro of creative writing energies is a must visit if you are not aware of it. Visit at https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com
Charlie loves to get out in the bush at Bendigo and wander with us as we look for native orchids and birds. Once we came upon a wallaby that bounded away at the last minute and since then Charlie has to be watched carefully . The lead stays off only when we are sure no wildlife is near. She also stays alert and is always on protection duty. Afghan Hounds have a strong sense of protecting their family and property, usually doing it without needing to use violence, just a body language presence that warns.
This haiku with images is my contribution to RonovanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge 69 Haiku & Mind. Follow this link to see what other creative haiku poets are doing to MIND and HAIKU https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2015/11/02
Haiku hound 