Kakadu Fisher Poem by Danny Draper

Sun drenched gold, amidst the view
On a river at even in Kakadu.

Crocodiles rough, in ripples adrift
Glide on slow for attack is swift.

A lone fisher stands, tall without fear
Adroit in the shallows beak as a spear.

Day comes down, the waters teaming
With movement and calls, feeding and preening.

The fisher patient, lands the prey
Clenched in the bill and on display.

Sea eagle hapless, failing its best
Challenges the fisher to feed a full nest.

Mighty fisher stands, wide wings repel
Drops and regains the catch, eagle power to dispel.

Again the eagle advances, but staunch the fisher holds through
Awash in burnt ochre light, victorious is the jabiru.





Note: Written 20/12/2003 from an observation made at the East Alligator River in Kakadu, NT Australia on a holiday in August 1997.