One of my favorite experiences was when Bill, Natalie and I went from Melbourne to Phillip Island. The lure was the arrival every evening at sunset of hundreds of penguins. They would emerge from the ocean, cross the beach and climb the slopes to their natural nesting place.
The Australia tourism people -- always in good taste --had erected stands where we could watch the penguin parade but not interfere. We were instructed politely to maintain quiet and no cameras. It was magical.
The recent article in The New Yorker about the survivalist billionaires reminded me of my "back to nature" moment. Despairing of our institutions, or maybe fearing a revolt, they are "getting away from it all" by burrowing down in bunkers in Kansas. Or, buying up property in remote New Zealand at such a rapid pace that the natives are feeling invaded by nervous Yanks.
I don't know if there are penguins in New Zealand. But I'm sure there are other sea creatures who eye the shore. Maybe they see the panicky humans searching for a nesting place. Making sure "I've got mine." Maybe they just turn around and return to the sea.
Well, at least some of them are speaking out about immigration.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one. When were you there?
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