My heart bled when I saw them release the black cockatoos at Steve Irwin's Tribute on Wednesday. I live in the Glasshouse Mountains near Australia Zoo and the black cockatoo is a symbol to our community.

That afternoon near dusk on the day of the Memorial Service I was working in the paddock on my property when I saw 3 black cockatoos fly slowly overhead. They let out their long, mournful cry and my thoughts turned to Steve Irwin. The local stories say that the appearance of the black cockatoos often brings the rain but on this day I think they had another message for us......LIFE GOES ON!

They somehow made me feel better as I watched them fly over the treetops and out of sight. As I packed up my tools and headed back to the house the scrub turkey came out to forage, the flying foxes stirred and squabbled, the galahs roosted and somewhere in the distance I heard a koala bellow. The bush nightlife was stirring and I knew it was time to move on from grief and think about what Steve would want us to do.

My pledge to Steve is that the animals that live on my property will always be safe and protected and I will maintain their habitat.

Good on ya, mate.
I have visited your neck of the woods and I envy you for the beauty you enjoy.
Please, hug a gum tree for me. Afterall, the aborigines told me that the spirits of the dead live in the gum trees. Maybe it's Steve's!!!
And please, watch your part of the world for snakes on the road and make sure you can chase them off (if not poisonous) or advise other motorists.

Thanks Mate,
Gemerman

Crocs Rule!!!