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GATOR DOG |
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 Ibises plot a wild goose chase. © Ravay Snow 2005 |
"A bird dog! Why should we help a bird dog?" huffed another ibis.
"One of those dogs helped a hunter find my great-great-great grandfather. His beautiful feathers ended up in a lady's fancy hat."
"Oh, how sad," the group crooned.
"In those days, millions and millions of birds lived here. Now there are so few of us," a little ibis sighed.
"Well, Everglades is a park now, and hunting isn't allowed," another one cawed. "This bird dog is probably on vacation. Let's find out what it wants."
As the ibis turned toward Sonya, it began preening its sleek, white feathers with its long, curved bill. "What, pray tell, do you want?"
"Can you tell me where I can find King Alligator?"
The ibises huddled together. "Let's send this bird dog on a wild goose chase!" they plotted.
"King Alligator is probably in Taylor Slough," one of the ibises announced to Sonya, knowing that he seldom went there. "Go there and talk to Mr. Anhinga. He's a large black bird with a long beak and sharp, pointed bill."
 Mr. Anhinga dries his wings after fishing. © David Muenker |
At dawn, Sonya sped to Taylor Slough. Mr. Anhinga perched on a tree branch. His elegant wings were stretched wide, like Batman costumes on a clothesline.
"What are you doing?" Sonya panted after her long run.
"I just finished swimming in the stream to catch fish for breakfast. I'm drying my wings," answered Mr. Anhinga. "What are you doing here? You're not up to trouble, are you?
"I'm just looking for King Alligator."
"That old beast? He's not here. If he were, I would be far, far away. You might try West Lake."
"But I just came from that direction!" Sonya spun in a circle, not sure which way to go next.
She ran down trail after trail. She dashed past wispy cypress trees. She sped past gumbo limbo trees. Their bark was so red it looked sun-burned.
She asked every creature she saw where she could find King Alligator. The marsh rabbit didn't know. The pelicans didn't know. No one had the answer.
Sonya was pooped out from so much running. She rested under a tall tree. When she looked up she spotted a red-shouldered hawk.
 A red-shouldered hawk surveys the Everglades. © David Muenker |
Sonya woofed her question to the hawk.
"Of course I know where King Alligator is. I'm hawk-eyed!" he answered with pride. "Just follow me."
The hawk took off in flight. Sonya raced after him as fast as she could.
To be continued...
In the next issue, Sonya goes deep into the swamp.
Note: This story is fiction based on fact.
Go to Sonya's Picks for links to websites about alligators.
Read a non-fiction article about Everglades National Park.
See how many words you know on the Word Match.
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Photographs ©2005-2010 David Muenker. Text ©2005-2010 Rose Muenker. Illustrations ©2005-2010 Ravay Snow Any use without express written permission is illegal and punishable by law. All rights reserved. Site designed and developed by Josh Bergman. |
