Road Trip (Part 2)

We have recently returned from a road trip.

We drove from Perth to Exmouth and back in eight days.

Northern WA is a beautiful and amazing place - 

teeming with wildlife (both on land and in the ocean)

and picturesque landscapes, it's a trip we will always remember!

At Coral Bay

up with the sun

we came across a roo

and in her pouch, 

nose sticking out

a joey – peek-a-boo!

We walked along

the wall of sand

right up to Skeleton Bay

Shallow crystal waters

where reef sharks love to play

Back down again

bay’s southern end

brimming with fish of colours

Large emperor fish

swam up to greet

while wading in the shallows

Fins and snorkels donned by all

we weaved among the coral

‘til afternoon crept warmly in

and it was time to travel

Further north we drove along

land flat with heated red

Splashing through the floodways

rich brown muddy beds

And finally we reached it

twelve hundred k’s away

This little place called Exmouth

in far north WA

Sun beating through the dust

wild emus roaming free

The Ningaloo’s famous whale sharks-

that’s what we came to see!

PS. Swimming with the whale sharks in the Ningaloo was an awesome experience! 

A separate poem about the whale shark can be found here.

The Whale Shark

Swimming with a whale shark is just one amazing adventure 

that can be had at the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.
We did this as a family on our recent trip to Exmouth, far north WA,
and it's an experience that my kids will always remember!

Deep out in the ocean

in waters clear and warm

swims a gentle giant

large and grey in form

Bigger than a bus

w i d e r  than a whale

three ridges on his side

lead to a pointed tail

Moving oh so smoothly

mouth open wide to feed

he swims about the water

gathering plankton that he needs

Rows and rows of tiny teeth

fill up his gaping smile

but they’re not used for eating-

just elements of style

Filter feeding on small things-

krill and red crab larvae

tummy full, he turns and winks

Would you like to play now?

I’ll lead you through the water

Swim with me in the sea

The vast blue of the ocean

is where I love to be!

I smile because I’m happy

I swim because I’m free

People come a long, long way

to snorkel next to me

And so I swim beside him

admiring all his spots

arranged in special patterns-

a giant dot-to-dot

His size makes me feel tiny

His girth makes me feel small

This friendly gentle giant

The most magnificent fish of all!

PS. While on our whale shark dive, we were lucky enough to meet Jana, 
one of the founders of the Hearts for Sharks foundation 
that aims to raise awareness of the true nature of sharks and their conservation. 
Click here to read all about this awesome cause.

The Clownfish

That tickles! laughed the clownfish

darting here and there

dodging wavy arms

flitting round with care

The anemone kept dancing

arms fluffed up just so

as the clownfish quickly wiggled

letting fresher water flow

The sea friends' bubbly giggles

were heard from somewhere far

and out of ocean darkness

where bigger fishes are

Came a scary shadow

with toothed mouth open wide

Hurry little clownfish!

I'll hide you here inside!

Reaching for his friend

the anemone wrapped him close

tentacles for cover

poised with toxic dose

The shadow paused, eyes narrowed

having second thoughts

about the little clownfish

unable to be caught

And as his shape retreated

the friends sighed with relief

for friends that help each other

are friends you'd like to keep!

The Water Cycle

Some dances last forever

cycling through the moves

it’s how Earth keeps a constant

a nature-driven groove.

Hip-hopping on the surface

water droplets bounce

jiving to the Sun’s beat

‘til suddenly they jounce-

evaporation.

Water vapour waltzes

swirling in the air

carried on the current

over here to over there.

Colliding with each other

the molecules take hands

a cloudy cabaret

cool atmospheric bands-

condensation.

Left feet are taking over

clouds clash with gentle bumps

the molecules a mosh pit

unlucky ones are dumped-

precipitation.

Rain can fall in buckets

snow can fall in heaps

runoff into rivers,

through valleys,

into seas-

Dancing on forever

waving to the skies

sun sparkling like a disco ball
drawing them up high.

These Feet

These feet were made for walking

for  t r a i p s i n g  through the sand

cool from waves that wash ashore

shells tightly held in hand.

These feet were made for splashing

flicking salty spray up high

toes tangled in long seaweed fronds

dodging seagulls soaring by.

These feet were made for running

pushing off soft grains

knees up high and little bounce

the chase in frisbee games.

These feet were made for digging

wriggling down below

sand piled up past ankle height

stand firm against the tow.

These feet were made for swimming

paddling over waves

toes pointed with legs kicking strong

surf atop the watery maze.

These feet were made for tip-toe-ing

quietly at night

sleepy now, in need of rest

'til tomorrow… when there’s new light.

Sharks

My son loves dinosaurs, dragons and sharks.

They adorn his clothes, pillow cases, school labels and library bag.

They burst from his stories, imagined play and drawings.

We live in Western Australia, where there is currently a huge shark-related controversy.

For my son, these creatures are filled with beauty and mystique.

And I hope they always will be.

This poem is for him.

There’s a creature in the ocean

who swims with grace and ease

supple streamlined body

moving forward through the seas.

Its tail like a propeller-

swinging back and forth and so

pushing water past its fins

lifting upwards as he goes.

Paired fins move up or down-

water pressure ‘round them changes-

rising his body up

or down, away from dangers.

Sometimes I can imagine

him zooming at high speed-

racing through the coolness

with a smile, and a “wheeeeeeeeeeee!”

Or maybe when it’s late

he just  c r u i s e s  at his leisure

soaking in the rainbow sights-

toothy grin showing his pleasure.

A rumble in his tummy

means it’s almost dinner time-

an amazing sense of smell

makes food very easy to find!

Once full, he doesn’t eat again

for up to several days-

in the meantime, he just travels

and mingles with the rays.

Because this creature lives

deep down beneath the sea

there’s still so much that we don’t know-

their population a mystery!

When I grow big, I’m going to try

and learn some brand new things-

more facts about my favourite fish-

the ones with pointy fins.

A shark collage we made last year from newspaper scraps and coloured paper.