An Unexpected Emperor

[Stephen Whiteside]

'Radio New Zealand reports the penguin is now eating sand in an apparent attempt to cool down, when it would normally eat snow.' (ABC News 24.06.11)


Old Riddle:

Question: Why can you never go hungry at the beach?

Answer: Because of the sand which is (sandwiches) there.

It's getting incredibly stuffy.
Has Marty Boy eaten more whale?
I'm restless and breathless and puffy.
My homeostasis might fail.

The temp'rature seems to be rising.
This snow isn't doing the trick.
Its texture is rather surprising.
It seems on my palate to stick.

It's yellow and crunchy and gritty,
But not like a lemon granita.
I'm feeling decidedly sh**ty.
Would somebody turn off the heater?

This strategy just isn't working.
I don't seem to have a Plan B.
The answer around me is lurking,
I'm sure, but I just cannot see.

Farewell, cruel world, I am dying,
Alone and away from my friends.
Have I done something wrong? I am trying.
Alas, I cannot make amends.

My soul it would seem has fine wings
That my poor Earthly-bound body lacks.
To heaven my sweet spirit sings!
A curse on those dry gritty snacks!

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yeah, fair point, Marty. I know euthanasia got a bad name for itself in the 80s with whales. A number of stranded whales were shot, and didn't die. This is a bit different, though. Still, it would be a shame to shoot it. And would it really be a lot less stressful for it to be pounced on by a bunch of humans and injected? And does anybody have much experience euthanasing emperor penguins in NZ? My guess is probably not. It probably actually isn't all that easy. Perhaps better to let Nature take its course, as you suggest.

[william williams]

Hey Marty you say you don't mind snakes they say this is a King Brown but I have my doubts I reckon it is a Black headed python

[Stephen Whiteside]

That's quite a snake, Bill!

What's going on with those trees in the background? Possum boxes? Bird boxes? Sleeves to prevent possums climbing? Other stuff?

[william williams]

bird and possum boxs and bands to stop the possums from getting to the fruit Stephen

[Stephen Whiteside]

I thought they must be possum bands, but I was suprised how high they were. They always seem much lower to the ground in Melbourne. What sort of fruit is it? Is that what the snake is after?

[Irene]

That's some snake!!!!
I believe the only good snake is a dead one!!! But really, wouldn't go and kill any of them - don't want to get that close to them!!!

[Bob Pacey]

It has a black head, it has a pyth and it looks like it weights a ton.

Yep Black Headed Python for me Bill.


Bob

[Maureen K Clifford]

I think I would drop dead on the spot were I to come across that - I hate snakes - that is bloody humongous , and you sure as hell wouldn't want it hanging around your property, it could eat your kids, much less your dogs.

[r.magnay]

...no Bill, that is not a King Brown/mulga snake, I am reasonably confident about that, they don't grow that big and as you point out, don't have a black head...well I have never seen one with a black head anyway. It could be a black headed python, it is a bit hard to tell with the sun shining on it like that, but it certainly is big, even for a blackheaded python!