Imaginary Landscape

W estern Banjo frogs (Limnodynastes dorsalis) - or Pobblebonks - the male 'hangs around' until the female lays her eggs, in a distinctive foam nest, so he can fertilise them. These do quite well at the Eucla Roadhouse where there is a beautiful garden and large water feature, although they are more common around Perth to Esperance. These frogs are so named because of their explosive call, which sounds not unlike "bonk!", or the plucking of banjo strings. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jocksinoz/70737837/

F airytales have fallen from favour…become unfashionable…because there is a belief amongst adults (and adolescents of ever-diminishing ages) that there no longer exist knights in shining armour and beautiful princesses who are strong enough to yield to the softer emotions. But I know of a fairytale that had its beginning in the not-so-distant past – depending on your perspective – that has all the elements of the sweetest classics. You see, fairytales are not impossible, just exceedingly rare. They are not the thing of the imagination, but they are elusive as a will-o'-the-wisp. Once upon a time, in an era when there was a terrible war and a time of great change, there was a beautiful princess who was searching for direction, some meaning in the midst of all the chaos of the age. Having rejected her pursuit of learning, she joined the empire’s legions to seek meaning there, for these were not the olden days when princesses were consigned to stitching tapestries and naming pets; no