how to build an owl

1. Decide you must.

2. Develop deep respect
for feather, bone, claw.

3. Place your trembling thumb
where the heart will be:
for one hundred hours watch
so you will know
where to put the first feather.

4. Stay awake forever.
When the bird takes shape
gently pry open its beak
and whisper into it: mouse.

5. Let it go.

{poem by kathleen lynch}

i love critters

i must apolgise for my recent disappearance from the world of the sometimes zoo.  this year is proving to be one of the most challenging yet (and yes, i am well aware it is only february!).

now anyone who visits this little blog regularly (and many thanks to those who do), will know of my love for all critters: feathered, scaley, squishy, furry, microscopic or monstrous.  so i thought what better way to return on a monday morning than with a collection of a few creatures…

elephant shrew

spanish moon moth

fruit bat

black bear

caterpillar

three-horned chameleon

{click on images for their sources}