Habitat

ccc140

It only took him 300 years. A breeze, considering.

Many took longer. Some – like Olives and Redwoods – required a millennium to achieve Elder. No fault of theirs, of course, but still … many times longer than he’d had to.

His from-seedling brother had thought him nuts. Literally. “Wait and wait to reach Elder and all you get for your trouble is being bent out of shape, your roots hanging out, and critters crawling in your innards.”

His brother had other aspirations. “Sail the world, I would. Ride the ocean. Move on the wind.”

Elder hadn’t had the heart to tell him that he’d be just as likely to end up planked as some dark closet, with no fresh air or birdsong or butterfly-kisses. Or worse, chopped to burn.

It’s been centuries since lumberjacks carted his brother away.

He was Elder now. Guardian of the path. Home of many.

For Crispina‘s Crimson’s Creative Challenge

Photo: Osnat Halperin-Barlev

You have come to my

Backyard,

To my desert,

My home.

So why look

So surprised

To see me coming

Along?

Trivia:

Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) are desert-dwelling goat species that are found in mountainous areas of North Africa and the Middle East. The wild population is considered “vulnerable” and is estimated at only 1,200 individuals. Nubian ibexes stand around 65–75 cm (2.1–2.6 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh around 50 kilograms (110 lb). They live in rough dry mountainous terrain and are a light tan color, with a white underbelly. Males also have a dark brown stripe down the back. Nubian ibexes have long thin horns which extend up and then backwards and down. In males these reach around about 1 meter (~ 1 yard) in length while in females they are much smaller and reach around 30 cm (~ 1 foot).

For Terri’s Sunday Still challenge: Wildlife

For Becky’s Spiky Squares challenge (even though this is not strictly a square …)