Black Cockatoo (draw a bird day)
I wanted to at least keep Draw-a-Bird-Day going for Nina and me, even if we’re both absent from WordPress at the moment. This is an old drawing that I never posted, but it seemed appropriate in many ways for the way the world feels right now.
Black Cockatoos are native to Australia and the surrounding islands, and were already facing habitat loss before the fires. They are highly social and intelligent birds, but they also have mythical and cultural associations. Symbols of change, spiritual freedom, communication, and survival, they are traditionally called on for their rain magic. Black birds in general hold the secrets of alchemy, mystery, and transformation. Our earth is crying out for all these things.
earth needs rain magic
to cleanse despair’s inferno
breathe flowers like stars
I also want to note that when you google “cockatoo” most of the links are about keeping them as pets. Confinement and separation are not a natural or desirable existence for these beautiful creatures, and they can easily become destructive, depressed, and needy without constant attention and the freedom to wander and socialize in large flocks that is their normal way of life.
56 responses to “Black Cockatoo (draw a bird day)”
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- July 8, 2021 -
I wondered where you’d gone. WP has stopped sending me your notifications again so I’ve just come over to check up.
Your drawing is very timely, and you’re right to point out that animals aren’t just appendages of human existence. Merril and I got very different poems from the Oracle today, but you and I have similarities—bird and fish magic and fire flowers.
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I’m in the midst of moving/putting most of my life into storage. I haven’t posted anything for weeks, and it will be more weeks I’m afraid. Complications…just get through each day. But I took a day off from it all today to post and visit a few blogs. I hope I’ll be back before next draw-a-bird day, but experience tells me I can’t predict what will happen…
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You’ve just created rain magic with your drawing and your post. May its juju travel where it needs to go and may it do what it needs to do.
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Kerfe, please come back soon. Keep a little of that juju for yourself to smooth out those knots in circumstances.
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Thanks Jade. Life is exhausting right now, but I know there’s an end to this…or at least a reprieve for a few months. I miss you too!
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Horsefeathers! I nearly missed Draw a Bird Day. I had been wondering when it was… Okay. Time to drop everything and draw a bird! Although mine won’t compare to yours — it’s fabulous! Hugs on the wing.
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Thanks! It’s always a good day to draw a bird, but officially the 8th of each month on WordPress.
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I hope you two are both well. We glimpse each other’s lives but don’t see clearly through blogging, and absence is sometimes profound. Go well.
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Thanks! I hope to be more present soon. Nina is working on it too. Sometimes life takes over.
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Good luck to you.
Thank you for taking time for sharing.
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Thanks D.
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Beautiful, sad, and timely in every way. All my warmest good thoughts for your re-settling…
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Thanks Sun. The world would be a sad place without birds.
I’m getting there (slowly).
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Wonderful cockatoo, Kerfe! And thanks for sharing your kind thoughts and beautiful poem. Good luck with your move. 😊
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Thanks Myriam!
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Marta we missed you and such a lovely picture of this beautiful bird. Thanks for your valuable share. Never knew the information behind the black Cockatoo. Love and light to you dear.
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Thanks so much Marta. I miss everyone and hope to be back soon.
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Welcome 😊😊😊 and sure to see you often, Marta. Love and light to you
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This is a beautiful drawing and piece, Kerfe. I had noticed you were absent and was wondering if WP had somehow unfollowed me from your blog. That happens sometimes.
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Thanks Robbie. I know that’s true about WordPress.
Once I get my life straightened out I’ll be back. Hopefully it won’t be too long.
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It’s good to see you again, even if it’s a brief visit. I hope the complications lessen.
Rain magic and a black cockatoo–perfect. I hope your message (or the Oracle’s) gets through.
I’ve just finished Alice Hoffman’s latest novel, The World That We Knew. There is some bird magic in it.
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Thanks Merril. That seems like a book I should read.
Yes, rain magic and many other types are needed right now…
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Nice to hear from you, Kerfe. Everything you’ve said rings true in my heart, too. Good luck with your transitions, and say hello to Nina for me!
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I will. Thanks Carol.
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Kerfe, your drawings and poetry always speak to me. Stay strong, my friend. May your personal magic and that from the Oracle help you though this time. Your art and poetry are sorely missed. We’re here for you when you come back. ❤
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Thanks Colleen.
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Lovely sketch of beautiful (and rare?) black cockatoo, K!
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Thanks Lynn!
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Beautiful, Kerfe, and Australia needs a lot of these rain-makers. Thanks for pointing out that these animals belong free with their own kind. ❤
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Thanks Diana. The world need a lot of magic and healing these days…
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This is so wonderful, Kerfe! ❤️And such beautiful words as well!
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Thanks Charlie. I’m still in the midst of moving madness but hope to be back to WordPress soon.
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Love your little puzzle poem. Personally, I shudder seeing any bird caged. Aloha, Kerfe.
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Thanks Bela. Me too.
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Hi, Kerfe! Your poem is deeply meaningful and beautiful as is your art. Also, thank you for the information on the black cockatoo. ❤
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Thanks Vashti.
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Dramatic energy here – just what we need to pull things together – questions ahead, I fear, as you intimate …
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I’ve been offline for awhile but hope to be back soon…thanks for checking in. Crazy world!
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Love the Bird! He’s got character!
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They do!
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Your poem is very fitting for all your country has been through this year!
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Thanks!
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I love all your bird sketches, did a quick scan 🙂
I particularly love black cockatoos, had two on my tree the other day but they didn’t stay long enough for a photo shoot 🙂
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Thanks! Birds are always welcome in my world.
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and mine … can’t imagine anyone not loving them! But I don’t have your sketching skills 🙂
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Love your Cockatoo, K! Your poem is excellent; the last line is my favorite. Be well.
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Thanks Rose. You too–take care.
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I love black cockatoos. They don’t often visit where I live now but down in south west Victoria where I used to live they are totem bird of the aboriginal people, the Gundigtmara. For that tribe they symbolize finding direction.
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Thanks Suzanne. They are beautiful birds.
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I love the sense of liberation and freedom exemplified by the Cuckatoo…..positive words in these strange times.
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Thanks Vivian. Birds always give hope.
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Your drawings are always of full of life – and you can hear the sounds in your head…
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Thanks Steve.
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Delighted to meet such a distinctive character!
Stay well
Regards Thom
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Thanks Thom. You and yours as well.
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