
These long-jumping bugs have been on this planet (for 2-50 million years).
That means that they lived on earth before dinosaurs (all of whom since disappeared).
They also pop up in books of the Bible (not least as part eight of ten plagues).
More recently Dahl created a peach-bug (who mentored a young boy named James).
Grasshoppers - show stoppers!
Jumpers of highest acclaim
Grasshoppers - show stoppers!
Hoppers by nature and name
Their powerful legs form nature’s ejector seats springing them out of harm’s way.
With vigour they jump launch skyward like astronauts keeping their hunters at bay.
Although they can’t sing they’re nature's musicians with rhythm built into their limbs.
In summer you hear a regular clicking from rubbing of legs against wings.
That means that they lived on earth before dinosaurs (all of whom since disappeared).
They also pop up in books of the Bible (not least as part eight of ten plagues).
More recently Dahl created a peach-bug (who mentored a young boy named James).
Grasshoppers - show stoppers!
Jumpers of highest acclaim
Grasshoppers - show stoppers!
Hoppers by nature and name
Their powerful legs form nature’s ejector seats springing them out of harm’s way.
With vigour they jump launch skyward like astronauts keeping their hunters at bay.
Although they can’t sing they’re nature's musicians with rhythm built into their limbs.
In summer you hear a regular clicking from rubbing of legs against wings.
Magpie |
Crow |
There's a magpie in my garden with a built-in megaphone.
He flaps about the tree tops, calls this place home. And every morning lately, just before the dawn, He sits outside my window, blasts out like a horn. There's a magpie in my garden who is learning how to yell. Others flock to join him - sound begins to swell. Their tidings tell of riches - sometimes silver, sometimes gold, And their song belies the mischief - seven secrets never told There's a magpie in my garden who is learning how to shriek. Others sing a pretty tune, his sound's quite unique. I'd rather sit and listen to his loud and raucous call, Than start the day in silence…with no bird song at all. |
There once was a murder of crows
Jet black from their beaks to their toes Went out in the snow And wouldn’t you know Got stuck ‘cos their feathers all froze There once was a budgerigar Who lived all his life in a jar One day he broke free And sat in a tree To puff on his owner’s cigar |
Toucan TangoBlessed with a beak of beauty,
No-birdy can compare. We’re quite extr’ordinary, Other creatures stop and stare. Nesting in hollow tree trunks, Amongst the leafy canopy, Gives us a height advantage, A rainy forest balcony Our bills are most distinctive, And so we like to show. Although our flight is shaky, shaky, We are masters of the Toco Toucan Tango Silence is not our forte! Clattering beaks resound. A blend of croaks and grunting, Our loud chatter is renowned. We skip the light fandango, When we are gathered with our friends. Hopping along together, The fun here simply never ends! |
MurmurationSilently falls the winter sun
From darkening shadows whirls an ever-changing abstract cloud Black, but for the stars carried upon their wings… Winter sun falls silently,
From dark’ning shadows whirls an ever-changing abstract cloud. Black, but for the stars, the stars, Black, but for the stars, the stars. Carried upon their, carried upon their wings, wings. Murmur-murmuration, Mumur-murmuration. Watch in wonder as they rise, Enchanted by the power of mother nature on display. Dance upon the wind, the wind, Dance upon the wind, the wind. Instinct will guide them, instinct will guide them home, home. Mesmerising curling flight With inky wings that whisper as they tumble through dark skies. Sweep into the night, the night, Sweep into the night, the night. Linger as evening ,linger as evening calls, calls. |
Bees |
Eagle |
Roving alone through restful woodland
A hum of excitement rings Sweetness pervades crisp morning air Velvety body and gossamer wings Roving she wanders through woodland alone,
A hum of excitement rings, Sweetness pervading the crisp morning air, A velvety body and gossamer wings. Lavender glow draws this bumbler in, To glorious carpeted dells. Browsing intently each delicate stem, She seeks out the bluest of belles. Softly, she bustles round heads gently bowed, Attracted by treasure within. Nuzzles past petals to gather her gold, Her journey back home can begin. Drifting along crossing indigo meadows, She uses the sun as her guide. Hides from the rain that would weigh down her wings. Returns, laden down, to her hive. |
.Majestically poised on a mountainous ledge,
His terrible talons grip hard to the edge. Watching and waiting as still as a stone; He sits like a king on his throne. This vantage point offers a view of his kingdom. Instinct and practice have given him wisdom. To know where to hunt and be ready for flight; A truly formidable sight, A truly formidable sight. His beady brown eyes scan the ground from on high. One beat of his wings and he tears through the sky. Strikes without warning he snatches his prey, And carries his quarry away. Returns to his ancestral eyrie to feast, Then settles to rest, this magnificent beast. Tomorrow he’ll rise, on the currents he’ll soar, Formidable hunter once more. |