Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, TDWC26, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, CFFC, Bird of the Week, Sunday Stills and Thank you’s

#CFFC, Bird of the Week, Esther Chilton's Word Prompt, photography, poetry, Sunday Stills, Tanka Tuesday, TDWC26 2 Minutes

Tanka Tuesday

Colleen’s challenge is to write a poem using homophones. You can join in here: https://tankatuesday.com/2026/05/19/first-sighting-tankatuesday-fun-with-homophones/

Gaining Wisdom (American cinquain)

learning

to wait, suss out

people and surroundings

assessment lends weight to future

choices

TDWC26 and Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

This is the last week of Dan’s TDWC26. I’ve used a photograph by Yvette Prior. You can join in here: https://nofacilities.com/thursday-doors-writing-challenge-2026/

Esther’s challenge for this week is eyes. As the glass inlets in the doors reminded me of eyes, I put the two challenges together. You can join in Esther’s challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/05/20/writing-prompts-115/

Picture caption: Photography submitted to Dan Antion’s TDWC26 by Yvette Prior.

I spy with my little eye …

something …

but what is it?

“A hartebeest,” says TC

“I disagree. It’s a common tsessebe.”

“A tess… a … what?“

“A tsessebe.”

“There’s no such creature!

Check on your phone.“

“Hmmm! AI says … it’s an elk.”

“What! You don’t get elk in South Africa.“

“I know that. Let me try a different picture.

“Now AI says its a mammal.”

“What kind of mammal?“

“AI doesn’t go into details. It’s just a mammal.”

“Useless AI. It’s having illusions.“

“Not really. A tsessebe is a mammal.”

The two sets of photographs below are of first a hartebeest and second a tsessebe. You can see how similar they look.

Bird of the Week

I took this photograph on Friday at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. TC and I were there for two days to celebrate his birthday which is tomorrow. It’s not the best of my photographs (TC was hogging my camera) but it was such a striking blue that I’m using it for this poem. It’s nice not having to work on a Friday in my new job. If I do have to work on a Friday, I get another day off at a later date so that is very nice for me.

You can join in Bird of the Week here: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2026/05/19/indian-grey-hornbill-birds-of-the-week-invitation-clxix/

Picture caption: A striking Malachite Kingfisher in the dam at Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Malachite Kingfisher (freestyle poem)

Perching atop a reed

surveying its surrounds

Malachite kingfisher

Drops!

Splash!

Pops up with a struggling captive

small fish

grasped around its middle

Toss!

It flops

Into an open beak

Swallow!

Sunday Stills

Terri is showcasing babies this week for Sunday Stills. I just happened to have photographed a few babies at Pilanesberg this weekend.

You can join in Sunday Stills here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/05/24/sunday-stills-always-be-my-baby/

Two pictures of an adorable zebra foal.

Photographs of a giraffe foal. It’s main and coat are still ginger, the colouring of newborn giraffes.

Photographs of young kudus. These are adolescents.

CFFC

Dan is showcasing signs. I rarely photograph signs but this one at the lodge gave me a giggle. You can join in CFFC here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/18/leftover-signs/

Thank you!

Thank you to wonderful poet and author, Freya Pickard, who shared a wonderful review of my book, Burning Butterflies. You can read Freya’s review here: https://purehaiku.wordpress.com/2026/05/22/burning-butterflies/

A huge thank you to Sally Cronin from Smorgasbord Blog Magazine for showcasing an extract from my poetry book: Burning Butterflies. You can read Sally’s lovely post here: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/smorgasbord-book-promotions-2026-share-an-excerpt-boost-one-of-your-books-poetry-art-burning-butterflies-poetry-about-southern-african-flora-and-fauna-by-robbie-cheadle/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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65 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Tanka Tuesday, TDWC26, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, CFFC, Bird of the Week, Sunday Stills and Thank you’s”

  1. I love how you put all the challenges in one post!

    Your cinquain is lovely.

    That door’s windows DO look like eyes! And I can see the difference mostly lies in the horns (antlers?) Lovely beasties.

    That Malachite Kingfisher is gorgeous! Love the poem.. Gulp!

    Sweet babies!

    That sign pops up in so many countries 🙂

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  2. First off, thanks for supporting both of my challenges. Your poem and your photos are great. Your wildlife photos always amaze me – they are so interesting and nothing like what we ever see. I love the kingfisher!

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  5. Robbie, your post is like a magazine. There is something here for everyone. Isn’t it funny about the AI? It can’t distinguish between the wild beasts. I love all of your photos! The young animal photos are exceptional. Your cinquain was spot on! 💖

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  8. the images are wonderful as always , Robbie…
    tsessebe – 😬…a new one for me …and they look so similar.

    Birthday blessings…🎉🙏

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  14. As writers and authors, you and Marsha are queens of the double-dip challenges, Robbie! Love the poetry, the horned beasties (each with cool horns, but just different enough) and those baby zebras and giraffes! Wonderful! I can’t imagine popping by the preserve and seeing African animals! I did visit the San Diego Safari Park in March, which gave me an idea for doing an animal of the month posts for Sunday Stills. You will be queen of this one, too! Have a great week!

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  21. Such a wonderful and varied set of nature photos, Robbie. And a fun, conversational poem. 😂

    Happy birthday to your husband. I hope you’re enjoying your new job–it’s great you have Fridays off.

    The sign is funny. I can almost see an employee there telling tourists to consult the stone. 😊

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  22. Zebras are so fascinating. Other equines go around being one colour, usually brown and with long manes, while zebras are determined to be different. The baby giraffes are especially cute with their red manes.

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    1. Hi Janet, baby animals are so cute and each creature is so unique and special. I would say giraffes and zebra are among my favourite animals but then there are elephants and lions and leopards and ev egg n mongoose and warthogs.

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  23. Wow! You sure packed a lot into this! I liked how you made those windows into eyes and segued into the animals. I always learn stuff (see Tanka Tuesday) when you take pictures! Congrats on the reviews and the accomplishments — and on the capture of that gorgeous blue bird!

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  29. I love seeing all these animals in nature, especially the newborns and “teenagers.” I am sure I would not correctly identify the differences between a hartebeest and a tsessebe unless they were side by side. Great post and poetry, too, Robbie 🙂

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  31. Robbie, this was a power-packed post full of great poetry and photos. I love your banter with TC. The bird and the glass ‘eyes’ are my favorites.

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  33. EGADS! Still laughing on that weather stone sign. Love it.

    Your animal shots are wonderful and your Kingfisher poem is special.

    Thank you, Robbie!

    OH, and cheers to Friday’s off! 👍 ❦🕊❦

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  34. I wish to see these safari animals. So, so fascinating! Thanks for the incredible photo, Robbie. You are blessed to see them in real. Bring them here in the Philippines. 😄

    Lovely entry of poems and photos. Happy weekend ahead!

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