Dalek Stowaways

Denim: Hey, what's with all the suitcases?  Master and Mistress can't be going away on another trip already.
Pocket: Shh!  Let's hop in this backpack before they discover us.

Denim: Do you think we should stowaway like this?
Pocket: You want to stay here while they're gone?
Denim: Uh, all right.  You talked me into it.

Denim: So that's what it looks like outside.  It was so dark out last night.  Have you figured out where we are yet?
Pocket: Give me a minute.  This book is thick, and Master and Mistress didn't exactly overwhelm us with information when they discovered us during the flight.

Pocket: From the descriptions in the guide book, I'm guessing we flew into Hilo Airport.  That's located on the East coast of the Big Island.  
Denim: What were those weird sounds we heard during the drive last night?
Pocket: Those are called Coqui frogs.  They've invaded Hawaii more successfully in recent years than an army of Sontarans or Cybermen.  
Denim: There are Sontarans and Cybermen here?
Pocket: No, that was only a metaphor.  It's a figure of speech that...oh, never mind. From the length of last night's drive, and our southward direction of travel, I'm guessing that we've arrived at Punalu'u, a famous Honu, or sea turtle nesting site.  
Denim: Are they invading Hawaii too?
Pocket: No, they're an endangered species that the Hawaiians are working hard to protect.  

Denim: Hey, Master's outside now.  Do you think he'd mind if we explore too?
Pocket: Let's just keep our distance for awhile.
Denim: But it's our job to protect our Humans.
Pocket: They may not see things like that right now.

Pocket: Wow, the colors are so intense.  No wonder Master is photographing the Hibiscus.
Denim: Maybe he should keep back from the bushes.  Those orange flowers look especially dangerous.

Pocket: I think that's called a Heliconia.  It's should offer him little danger.  But we'd better head back inside, before that yellow guy notices us.

Denim: Yikes!  It reminds me of the avian creature that the evil scientist Quillam tried to turn the Doctor's companion Peri into in the Sixth Doctor story "Vengeance on Varos."
Pocket: I'm not sure what he is, but he's almost as big as us.  And as we learned in the Doctor Who story "Planet of Giants," when the First Doctor and his companions are shrunk down to an inch in height, any creature can injure you, if you and it are the same size.  I noticed Mistress has started to put out breakfast.  Let's head for the table.  I've got an idea.
Denim: You're the boss.

Denim: What is this thing?  It doesn't look like an orange.
Pocket: No, it's called a papaya, and according to the guidebook, they're plentiful here.  
Denim: Do you think they'd mind if I had a taste?
Pocket: Rather than taking liberties right now, I suggest we make ourselves exceptionally useful to Master and Mistress during the next few days.
Denim: A wise suggestion, as always, sir.
Pocket: Oh, all right, you can have a taste.  But just a small one.  And hurry: Master and Mistress are nearly ready to sit down!

Pocket & Denim Daleks

Related Internet Links
Hawaiian sea turtles
Coqui frogs
"Pesky Alien Species Have Folks Hopping Mad"

The Giant Rabbit Guardian

Upon entering Sacramento Airport, one is filled with a sense of foreboding.  At first, no suggestion of danger is visible.  But look closer, and you'll see it--a flash of orange, nothing more--and suddenly the Giant Rabbit Guardian is racing toward you.

It crashes down on gleaming, white tile.  It leaps between columns.  It bounds over walkways and escalators.  There is no escape.  For you have entered its home, and now stand in its domain.  You exist only because it allows you to.

Beware those who tell you that Security is lax, that the Sacramento Airport's restrictions can be ignored.  The Giant Rabbit Guardian's senses are a thousand times more sensitive than that of any normal-sized trained animal.  Its brain is infinitely larger than any human's.  It can sense your emotions, read your mind, anticipate your actions.  

You can not possibly outwit it.  

So whatever you do, obey all the rules.  Don't even contemplate breaking them.  For if you do, the Giant Rabbit Guardian of Sacramento Airport will pounce.

"Ha ha," it cries.  "Got you, evildoer!"

"Now throw away that can of soda!  Remember: no liquids over three ounces are allowed through Security!"

Dragon Dave

"Baby, Get Your Goat On"

Wild animals aren't essential to a pleasant zoo experience.  Perhaps because we're more used to them, and they seem far less dangerous, we're equally fascinated by our more domesticated cousins.  Often, the temptation to interact with them, as we would with other humans, can prove overwhelming.  

"Okay, now watch carefully, and I'm sure you'll catch on quickly."

"Lift one rear leg, and move your front legs to chest level."

"Sway to the side.
Come on, flow with the music."

"Now drop your front limbs, and finish with a kick,
just like the famous New York City Rockettes."

"Um...okay.  I think I'd better limber up first, though.
Could you run through the routine for me one more time?"

I'm sure they find us equally fascinating.  (Well, somewhat sure).

Dragon Dave

A Quirkiness of Character at Austin Zoo

As I live near the San Diego Zoo and its related Safari (formerly “Wild Animal”) Park, it may seem strange to you that I visit other zoos when I travel.  Heck, a part of me also views this trait as just one of those queer quirks of character that make me so endearing to others.  Certainly the San Diego Zoo is world-famous, and must rank among anyone’s list of important and impressive zoos.  But I find it interesting to see how other people do things, and that includes how zoo-masters (if that’s a word) arrange their parks, structure their exhibits, and select their mix of animals to show off and care for.  Thus, when the opportunity arose to visit the Austin Zoo, just a short drive outside the Texas state capitol, I opted to visit without hesitation.

The Austin Zoo’s website states that it’s main emphasis is on animal rescue, rehabilitation, and education.  I’m not exactly sure how they educate their animals, but certainly it’s a great place for schools to bring their classes.  On the day we visited, we saw several groups of children touring the zoo with their teachers and parents, and of course the kids were having a blast.  But then, no matter how old we get, or how mature we become, there’s always part of us that remains children, and can tap into the fascination we have for watching our relatives in the animal kingdom. 

Another reason I enjoyed my visit was that the Austin Zoo is so low-key.  Due to its rural location, and the fact that it’s not on most people’s “Top Ten” list, fewer people visit it.  I didn’t have to constantly look over my shoulder, wondering if I was in anyone’s way, or have to fight the crowds for a view of the animals.  No vendors roamed the tree-lined paths, hawking their food or souvenirs.  Despite the roars of the big cats, the squawking of the birds, and the visitors’ shouts, conversations, and occasional bursts of tears (Yes, I occasionally cry at zoos; don’t you?), I wandered the tree-lined paths in relative solitude, feeling as if I had the exhibits mostly to myself.

One of the things I didn’t do on my visit is ride the train, which takes visitors on a two-and-a-half mile trip around the zoo, passing animals not visible from the paths.  But I had so much fun just wandering at my own pace, that by the time the rest in my party were ready to leave, I had gotten my “zoo fix,” and felt more than satisfied with my visit.  Plus, it’s nice to leave some options unexplored for a second visit.  At least, that’s my philosophy.

Either that, or its one of my endearing character quirks.

Dragon Dave

Related Internet Links

Austin Zoo

The Wild Cat of Texas

After a day out and about, driving around and enjoying the local Texas sights, we pulled into the parking lot of our resort, grabbed our things from the car and walked toward our unit.  Suddenly my wife motioned for me to stop, pulled the camera from its case, and edged quietly toward a black cat beside the walkway.  She whispered for me to attract the cat’s attention.  “Meow!” I cried.  “Meeeeeeooouuuuwwww!”

The black cat paused, looked toward us, and allowed my wife to take a few photographs.  Then, unlike the deer, it walked slowly forward.  My wife reached down slowly, and when the cat failed to react, gently petted it.  The cat rubbed against her leg.

Then my wife tried to walk forward, but the cat kept pace, remaining solidly in her path.  Each step became a careful one, for fear of treading on it, and was rewarded by another rub of her soft, dark fur against the shins.  By the time we reached our front unit, the cat remained underfoot, and her eyes homed in on our door.  My wife reached down, gently picked her up, and moved her a few steps away. 

The cat scampered back, before I could slip the key into the lock.  So my wife carried her farther away this time, and I opened the door just enough to step inside, and kept a careful watch as my wife slipped past me.

The cat wore no collar, but seemed gentle and affectionate.  If she has no house or apartment to return to, I hope she likes deer corn. 

Dragon Dave

The Wild Deer of Canyon Lake

One notable aspect of Canyon Lake, Texas, is its deer population.  Our first morning there, while shopping at a supermarket, we noticed a pallet stacked waist-high with twenty-pound bags of deer corn.  That night, we walked the nearby gravel roads.  While enjoying the sunset, we took several photographs of the locals. 

"Look behind you, Dave.  Behind you!"

They ranged everywhere, from the grasslands surrounding the lake, to the slopes leading to the weekend cabins and resorts, to a nearby RV park, where music played from portable stereos, children shouted in jubilant play, and smoking barbeques filled the air with mouthwatering aromas.  The deer watched us while they grazed, and if we drew too near, took a few quick steps away from us.  The resort brochure had promised “numerous, pet-like” deer.  Well, they didn’t oversell the numerous part.

The next day, we picked up some sodas at the supermarket.  As we left, we saw one remaining bag of deer corn on the pallet.  I guess we're not the only ones who enjoy watching the deer at Canyon Lake.

Dragon Dave