Challenge

The sage old parrot passed thru yet another gauntlet of challenge, a brief but intense survival battle.

The younger Kea recognized the lack early, his elder having all the experience. A few menacing swoops, some feathers scraped, it was over, for that day at least.

Angling across a darkening New Zealand sky, back down thru the lush valley, the old Kea had already forgotten his aggressor.