My Daily Haiku

In Conclusion

2017-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

And so, this endevour comes to a conclusion today.

It's been a pleasure to open my self to the muse and am grateful to Bernard and Karl for their platforms of photos.

Thank you, dear reader, for your input and patience with my scribblings for these 10 years and 3729 posts.

May creativity enhance your every breath,

Ron

Samhain

2017-10-31T00:01:00.001-04:00

In the stealth of night
Something creepy crawls this way
It’s all in the mind

Link

Photo Credit

Coast Wattle

2017-10-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Frilly pineapple slices
That’s what the eye sees
But not the throat

Acacia sophorae, commonly known as 'coastal wattle, Coastal Wattle is a wattle found in coastal and subcoastal south-eastern Australia from the Eyre Peninsula to southern Queensland. It is sometimes considered a subspecies of Sallow Wattle (Acacia longifolia). The specific epithet refers to its similarity to plants in the genus Sophora

Pied Shag 5

2017-10-29T00:01:00.000-04:00

You make me so mad
You wouldn’t do it my way
Go to your pond

This large black-and-white shag is often seen individually or in small groups roosting on rocky headlands, trees or artificial structures. In regions where it occurs it can usually be readily seen about harbours and estuaries associated with cities or towns. Unlike most other shag species, the pied shag is reasonably confiding, allowing close approach when roosting or nesting in trees. It generally forages alone, but occasionally in small groups when prey is abundant. ~ Bernard

Cunningham Pier

2017-10-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

The shining spires
At piers end
An edifice beckons

Cunningham Pier is probably the most iconic structure on our magnificent waterfront. Opening in the mid 1850’s, the pier was a vital part of our port with rail being used to load and unload cargo up until the late 1970’s. With the modernisation of Geelong’s ports, Cunningham Pier was no longer suitable and fell into disuse.
Other than the odd visiting naval vessel Cunningham Pier sat dormant for many years. But in 1989, some local entrepreneurs saw the potential of the green cargo shed on the pier and started the first of what became an institution on Geelong’s social calendar, New Year on the Pier. This mammoth event turned the goods shed into a huge nightclub with thousands seeing in the New Year. New Year on the Pier remained on the pier each new year until the pier was sold off in the 1990’s, forcing a slight name change to the event when it became New Year by the Pier. ~ Bernard

Shotover 4

2017-10-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

Rain will wash the hills
Bring silt to the river
Onward unto the sea

Year of the Snake 2

2017-10-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

This scary dragon
He breathed fire on me
Scorched my soul

Phnom Penh 2013
Chinese New Year ~ Karl

Creek Street Ketchikan

2017-10-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

Soft ripples of water
Scant breath of wind
Tranquil traveled path

Creek Street is a historic boardwalk perched on pilings along the banks of Ketchikan Creek in Ketchikan, Alaska. A former Red Light District where both men and salmon swam upstream to spawn. It is now a quaint place to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totem poles, shop at locally owned stores and galleries, enjoy local art and culture. In the summer months, salmon gather by the thousands to spawn upstream; seals and otters are never far away with eagles perched in the trees above. ~ Bernard

New Zealand Scaup 4

2017-10-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

In my feathered coat
Warm body and heart
Content and vigilant

New Zealand Scaup are quite unlike any other resident duck species. Dark and squat with a rounded profile, they often occur in large flocks, floating with cork-like buoyancy. Scaup are diving ducks and spend a lot of time underwater, where they can travel considerable distances. Both sexes are dark-plumaged, but are easily distinguished. The male has dark black-brown plumage with iridescent blue-green head and wings, and lighter mottling on the chest and under parts. His iris is yellow and bill blue-grey. The female is a duller chocolate brown, paler on her under parts. Her iris is brown and bill grey, normally with a ring of white feathers at the base. Juvenile resemble females until 12 weeks-old when the male iris colour becomes yellow. In flight, all birds have a broad white upper-wing bar and pale white underwing. Scaup have a fast wing beat and often fly just above the water. They sometimes rest on land, but quickly retreat to water when disturbed. ~ Bernard

Bollards

2017-10-23T00:01:00.000-04:00

Fading light
Colours the evening
Our work not done as yet

The Bollards form a narrative of the people and events associated through history with Geelong, Victoria. The painted figures represent a whole spectrum of local characters from native inhabitants and explorers to opera singers and lifesavers, as well as preserving and highlighting historic events.
The inspiration for the Bollards came from the artist, Jan Mitchell. Work on the Bollards began in 1995 including nearly a year of extensive research with the last of the figures completed in 1999.
Jan chooses the timber for each figure from huge reclaimed pier pylons of Australian red iron bark or turpentine hardwood. The timber is then shaped by carver/prop-maker Pieter Roos. Along with assistant artist John Starr, Jan paints the figures in the technique of trompe l'oeil (three-dimensional illusion). The figures stand over two metres high and make an impressive sight along the Corio Bay foreshore. ~ Bernard

Shotover

2017-10-22T00:01:00.000-04:00

Nature’s weft and woof
On the loom of the land
With the thread of the river

Year of the Snake 1

2017-10-21T00:01:00.000-04:00

Guess who I saw
Parading down the street
My old friend Mara

Phnom Penh 2013
Chinese New Year ~ Karl

Hubbard Glacier

2017-10-20T00:01:00.000-04:00

Crumbling into the sea
Travels from long time past
An inch at a time… or less

Hubbard Glacier, SE Alaska, largest tidewater glacier in North America, on Disenchantment Bay at head of Yakutat Bay, at the northern end of the Alaskan panhandle. Extending 76 mi (122 km) from Mt. Logan in Yukon, the glacier's face is more than 6 mi (9.6 km) across and some 300 ft (90 m) high. It has twice blocked (1986, 2002) the mouth of Russell Fjord, making it a lake as high as 90 ft (27 m) above sea level. ~ Bernard

Crested Grebe 2

2017-10-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Enter my mind
See through my eyes
Wear my feathered cap

Australasian Crested Grebe

The Australasian crested grebe is majestic and distinctive diving bird that is usually seen on the southern lakes of New Zealand where it breeds. It has a slender neck, sharp black bill and head with a distinctive black double crest and bright chestnut and black cheek frills, which it uses in its complex and bizarre mating displays. It is unusual for the way it carries its young on its back when swimming. The crested grebe belongs to an ancient order of diving water birds found on every continent in the world. They are rarely seen on land except when they clamber onto their nests on the lakeshore. The Australasian crested grebe occurs in New Zealand and Australia but it is threatened in both countries and the New Zealand population probably numbers fewer than 600 birds. ~ Bernard

Beach Patrol

2017-10-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Look sharp gents
Danger ever near by
Alert we be

The Geelong Bollards are painted wooden bollards representing over 100 historic Geelong characters, and are one of the main attractions for people visiting Geelong.
Located along the waterfront beaches from Limeburner's Point to Rippleside Park, the 100+ bollards are situated at 48 sites and consist of lifesavers, families, footballers, sailors, town bands, fishermen and more.
Artist Jan Mitchell was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in 1995 to transform reclaimed timber pier pylons into these remarkable works of art.
Following the Bollard Trail, you will meet some of the unique characters who played a part in Geelong's history, from the original Indigenous inhabitants to more contemporary characters. ~ Bernard

Punting on the Avon 2

2017-10-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

Steady as she goes
Dear ladies and gentle ones
Try not to rock the punt

Punting on the Avon River is an iconic Christchurch Attraction not to be missed. Depart from the historic Antigua Boat Shed landing where your Punter will guide you quietly past weeping willows, woodlands and the leafy banks of North Hagley Park along side the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. ~ Bernard

Temple

2017-10-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

Our temple seems smaller
More down to earth
In the light of day

Icy Strait Point

2017-10-15T00:01:00.000-04:00

Beyond the pier
Clouds glower
Blue mountains get misty

Icy Strait Point is a privately owned tourist destination just outside the small village of Hoonah, Alaska. It is located on Chichagof Island and is named after the nearby Icy Strait. ~ Bernard

Parekareka

2017-10-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

An S shaped neck

Depends on point of view

As seen from here

Parekareka, the spotted shag
Compared with typical cormorants, the spotted shag is a light-coloured bird. Its back is brown. Its belly is pale blue-grey (often appearing white), and the white continues up the sides of the neck and face, but the throat and the top of the head are dark blue-green. In the mating season, it has an obvious double crest. There is little sexual dimorphism.

Spotted shags feed at sea, often in substantial flocks, taking its prey from mid-water rather than the bottom. It is likely that pilchard and anchovy are important prey species. ~ Bernard

Bollards

2017-10-13T00:01:00.000-04:00

Follow the leader
Lest ye go astray
Off the well trod path

A walk along the Geelong Bollards Trail always results in meeting some interesting characters.
The Geelong Bollards are painted wooden bollards representing over 100 historic Geelong characters, and are one of the main attractions for people visiting Geelong.
Located along the waterfront beaches from Limeburner's Point to Rippleside Park, the 100+ bollards are situated at 48 sites and consist of lifesavers, families, footballers, sailors, town bands, fishermen and more.
Artist Jan Mitchell was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong in 1995 to transform reclaimed timber pier pylons into these remarkable works of art.
Following the Bollard Trail, you will meet some of the unique characters who played a part in Geelong's history, from the original Indigenous inhabitants to more contemporary characters.
The Waterfront Geelong Bollards Trail is a one-way trail and is best started near the Geelong Botanic Gardens or at Rippleside Park. ~ Bernard

Jogger

2017-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:00

Run, jog or walk
But move on through
This bosky dell

Jogging is a form of trotting or running at a slow or leisurely pace. The main intention is to increase physical fitness with less stress on the body than from faster running, or to maintain a steady speed for longer periods of time. Performed over long distances, it is a form of aerobic endurance training.
Hagley Park is the largest urban open space in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was created in 1855 by the Provincial Government. ~ Bernard

Cambodia

2017-10-11T00:01:00.000-04:00

Oh, mighty fortress
Keep out the evil
Of them from us

Totem Pole

2017-10-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

A wooden visage
Knowing and serene
Yet watchful

Totem poles are monumental sculptures carved on poles, posts, or pillars with symbols or figures made from large trees, mostly western red cedar, by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast of North America (northwestern United States and British Columbia). ~ Bernard

Silvereyes

2017-10-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

An apple a day
A shared meal
Among friends

The silvereye or wax-eye (Zosterops lateralis) is a very small omnivorous passerine bird of the south-west pacific. In Australia and New Zealand its common name is sometimes shortened to white-eye, but this name is more commonly used to refer to all members of the genus Zosterops, or the entire family Zosteropidae.

In New Zealand, the silvereye was first recorded in 1832. It arrived in greater numbers in 1856, and it is assumed that a migrating flock was swept eastwards by a storm. As an apparently self-introduced bird it is protected as a native New Zealand species. Its Māori name, tauhou, means "stranger" or more literally, "new arrival". ~ Bernard

Bandsmen

2017-10-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

Brass section is ready
For a sterling performance
Tap your baton, Maestro

There are over 100 of these colourful carved and painted timber figures, each representing a person from Geelong’s past. They were crafted by artist Jan Mitchell from the remains of a demolished pier, and are intensely admired by both locals and visitors. ~ Bernard