#mary river turtle

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Mary River turtle: The green-haired oddball that can breathe through its butt for 72 hours

The Mary River turtle has adapted to life underwater after splitting from all other living turtle lineages more than 18 million years ago.

Name: Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus)

Where it lives: Mary /Moonaboola River, Queensland, Australia

The mary river turtle can spend days underwater with the help of a specialised organ inside its butt.

(Image credit: Rob D the Pastry Chef via Shutterstock)

[trexalicious]

Mary River turtle: The green-haired oddball that can breathe through its butt for 72 hours. But why...🤔

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

It’s not just gas- the Mary River turtle has two ways of breathing. While on the surface, this turtle takes in air through its mouth and lungs, but when its underwater Elusor macrurus breathes through a set of gills located in the cloaca.

(Image: a Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus) sporting a stylish algae ‘do by Chris van Wyk)

If you like what I do, consider leaving a tip or buying me a ko-fi!

[lexa-ocean]

(For my TMNT iteration, TMNT: Reptile Rampage)

I finally got around to designing this little fucker.

He's actually The Worst Friend Ever. I rate him -5/10 do not reccomend.

Original pic

[nzdraws]

mary river turtle

[music-tourney]

Here are all 72 songs we are entering in the tournament

Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles

Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane

Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues

Sweet Caroline By Neil Diamond

All along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix

Pinball Wizard by The Who

House of the Rising Sun by the Animals

California Dreamin’ by The Mama's and the Papa's

People are strange by the Doors

Paint it Black by The Rolling Stones

Mrs. Robinson By Simon and Garfunkel

Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Good vibrations by the Beach Boys

What a wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

21st Century Schizoid Man By King Crimson

Space Oddity by David Bowie

You really got me by the Kinks

Spirit in the Sky By Norman Greenbaum

Respect by Aretha Franklin

Feeling Good by Nina Simone

I'm a Believer by The Monkees

White Room by Cream

Piece of my Heart By Big Brother and the Holding Company

Season of the Witch by Donovan

Like a rolling stone by Bob Dylan

Be my Baby by the Ronettes

Son of a Preacher man by Dusty Springfield

She's not there by the Zombies

Complication by the Monks

Heroin by the Velvet Underground

Ain't Too Proud for Beggin by the Temptations

I want you back by The Jackson 5

Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison

Eight Miles High by the Byrds

Come A little bit Closer by Jay and the Americans

So Long Mom (A song for World War III) by Tom Lehrer

Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash

Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Cosby, Stills and Nash

Change is gonna come by Sam Cooke

You Can't Hurry Love by the Supremes

Happy Together by the Turtles

Tainted Love by Gloria Jones

Dream a Little Dream of Me by Mama Cass

Maybe This Time by Liza Minnelli

Don't Rain on My Parade by Barbra Streisand

Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter, Paul and Mary

Good Times, Bad Times by Led Zeppelin

Ain't no mountain high enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

This boots are made for walking by Nancy Sinatra

Sitting by the dock of the bay by Otis Redmond

Cactus tree by Joni Mitchell

Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells

I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown

Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles

River Deep Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner

My Way by Frank Sinatra

For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield

Fire by Arthur Brown

Blackberry Way by the move

The Girl From Ipanema by Stan Getz And Joāo Gilberto

Can't take my eyes off you - Frankie valli

Green onions by Booker T. & The M.G.’s

Stand by Me by Ben E. King

Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows By Lesley Gore

Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett

Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell

I Say a Little Prayer by Dionne Warwick

Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In) by the 5th Dimension

The Impossible Dream by Jim Nabors

Return to sender by Elvis Presley

It's not Unusual by Tom Jones

[unch4rtedwxters]

< source: AIDAN, The Illuminae Files >

< DATA LOCATED >

< note: ⭐️ = IRL friends >

@wii-music-on-repeat [CALLSIGN: WMOR. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG INITIALS -> WMOR?]

@guess-ill-dye [CALLSIGN: ALIEN.]

@studying--by--candlelight ⭐️ [CALLSIGN: G.]

@calypso-daughter-of-atlas [CALLSIGN: CALYPSO. SUPPOSITION: ROLEPLAY BLOG -> FICTIONAL CHARACTER -> CALYPSO?]

@anonymouscuzwhynot001 [CALLSIGN: DOLPHIN.]

@jeremy-iah [CALLSIGN: JEREMY.]

@book-girl4eva [CALLSIGN: BEA.]

@certainchopshopcheesecake [CALLSIGN: ELLE.]

@unpaid-labour [CALLSIGN: M.]

@n0t-an-en3my [CALLSIGN: LYNN.]

@chredded-cheese [CALLSIGN: CIRCE.]

@drama-llamaaa [CALLSIGN: ELLIE.]

@tiffaluvr [CALLSIGN: KIKI.]

@fitz-avery-vacker [CALLSIGN: FITZ/RED.]

@the-slowest-turtle [CALLSIGN: TURTLE.]

@lemon-girl-in-devil-town [CALLSIGN: NADIA.]

@imawriternotamagican [CALLSIGN: IAWNAM. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG INITIALS -> IAWNAM?]

@thatrandomlemononyourcounter1 [CALLSIGN: CJ.]

@cutebisexualmess [CALLSIGN: VEE.]

@decorativenightmare [CALLSIGN: DECOMARE.]

@lord-hunkyhair [CALLSIGN: KEEFE SENCEN. SUPPOSITION: ROLEPLAY BLOG -> FICTIONAL CHARACTER -> KEEFE?]

@shrxe [CALLSIGN: SHREE.]

@the-epitome-of-sunsets [CALLSIGN: DAWN.]

@darkchocolatedimples [CALLSIGN: DCD. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG INITIALS -> DCD?]

@expvalorant ⭐️ [CALLSIGN: EXP.]

@discoveredreality [CALLSIGN: ARI.]

@justalunaticfangirl [CALLSIGN: APRIL.]

@myfairkatiecat [CALLSIGN: KATIE.]

@the-one-and-only-ginger [CALLSIGN: TOAOG. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG INITIALS -> TOAOG?]

@milo-igidk [CALLSIGN: MILO.]

@fistfightinganxietyandlosing [CALLSIGN: EPHER.]

@im-on-crack-send-help [CALLSIGN: RIYANA.]

@sleep-can-wait [CALLSIGN: ARCHIVIST.]

@the-rubber-duck [CALLSIGN: LYSS.]

@im-too-emotionally-involved [CALLSIGN: SPINACH.]

@imobsessed123 [CALLSIGN: LEXI.]

@emery-is-a-king [CALLSIGN: COUNCILLOR EMERY. SUPPOSITION: ROLEPLAY BLOG -> FICTIONAL CHARACTER -> EMERY?]

@lisalovesapplesauce [CALLSIGN: LISA.]

@inara-tries-to-survive [CALLSIGN: INARA.]

@ch1ckpeapancake [CALLSIGN: CHARLIE.]

@justmossyall [CALLSIGN: CLAIRE.]

@the-oracle-at-delphinitely-not [CALLSIGN: BRIELLE.]

@a-trans-book-nerd [CALLSIGN: RIVER.]

@biscu1ts [CALLSIGN: BISCUITS.]

@g4l4xy-qu33n [CALLSIGN: GALAXY.]

@winterflwers [CALLSIGN: WINTERFLWERS. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG NAME -> WINTERFLWERS?]

@123letsgobestie [CALLSIGN: MARIE.]

@deerskul ⭐️ [CALLSIGN: DEERSKUL.]

@xxsandwichxx ⭐️ [CALLSIGN: SANDWICH.]

@hazelhoneyart [CALLSIGN: HAZELHONEY.]

@violetarts [CALLSIGN: VIOLETARTS. SUPPOSITION: NO GIVEN NAME -> BLOG NAME -> VIOLETARTS?]

@nowjumpinthewater [CALLSIGN: RANIA.]

[lizardsaredinosaurs]

Year-end Wrap-up Part 3: New Protections in Australia

I'm still learning my way around some of the endangered species laws in different countries - some aren't so straightforward and some I'll never understand due to language barriers. Some vary in what protections they are meant to give, and other countries go by the Red List. But I'm picking a few places, mostly so I can show you some cool pictures of animals and make you want to protect them (I know you do). 😇

I found the following animals, 29 in total, and 31 plant species added to Australia's national list of threatened species in 2024. Look at these adorable babies! :D

Protected as Critically Endangered:

McCulloch's Anemonefish

Mary River Turtle

Buff-breasted Button Quail

Supporters read the full post here

...For photos of (almost) the full list, which includes 11 shore birds, 3 geckos, one spiney crayfish, and more.

[msweebyness]

Miraculous Second Gen

These are the kiddies that Sparky and me came up with for the Miraculous kiddies! Enjoy! @imsparky2002 @artzychic27

(NOTE: These apply and are canon to my MLB canon and all of Sparky and I’s AU’s, meaning Class of Heroes/Villainy, Monstrous Youths, Ghoul Squad, etc.)

Polycule:

Emma:

She/Her

Age 15

Bio parents Adrien/Marinette

Genki Girl, social media influencer

SO MUCH ENERGY

Deals with OCD

Cat holder

Louie:

He/Him

Age 14

Bio Parents Luka/Kagami

Mellow fellow, wants to be a musician

Can see auras

Serious crush on Darius

Ladybug Holder

Hugo:

He/Him

Age 10

Bio parents Luka/Marinette

Bouncing off the walls

Promising young athlete

Emerging himbo™️

Future dragon holder

Alison:

She/Her

Age 6

Bio parents Kagami/Adrien

Cold and stoic like Kagami

Doesn’t speak unless necessary

Crazy smart and mature for her age

Future snake holder

Alyno:

(Twins)

Cody:

He/Him

Age 16

Chillest dude on Earth, into meditation

Wants to be a writer for comics, Marc is a kind of mentor

Also plays the keyboard

HUGE crush on June

Fox holder

Cecily (“CeCe”):

She/Her

Age 16

Super driven, like her mom

Can be a bit too blunt

Constantly bickering with her twin

Runs a feminist news site, Grrrl

Turtle holder

Julerose:

Marek:

He/They

Age 17

Bio mom is Juleka, with a donor

Super shy like Juleka, loves cute things like Rose

Can and has won a knife fight

Babysits his cousin Alison a lot

Tiger holder

Dating Vicki

Myvan:

Juniper (“June”):

She/Her

Age 16

Ox holder

Has a bit of RBF

Super intimidating mom friend

Has…a bit of a temper, but still as kind as her parents

Activist, wants to be a social worker

Returns Cody’s feelings, but unaware of it

Hector:

He/Him

Age 10

Big and bulky, just like his dad

Gentle Giant, really soft-spoken

Likes working with animals

Best friends with Hugo

Future mouse holder

NathMarc:

Elicia:

She/Her

Age 17

Bio dad is Marc, with a surrogate

Lil Sassy Lassy, always has an opinion

Has a passion for sculpting

High-functioning autistic

Rooster holder

Kimdine:

Victoria (“Vicki”):

She/Her

Age 17

Monkey holder

Basically, Kim but with more common sense

Ridiculously energetic, does a bunch of sports

Works as a model for Mari’s fashion line

Dating Marek

Nicolette (“Nikki”):

She/Her

Age 13

Much more quiet and subdued than her sister

Voice of reason in the fam

Super tech savvy

Deadpan Snarker

Future horse holder, Max is mentoring her

Sabrina/Delmar:

Darius:

He/They

Age 14

Adopted at age 7

SUPER organized like his mom

Really good at public speaking

Wants to go into politics to make a difference

Serious crush on Louie

Dog holder

Alix:

River:

They/Them

Age 13

Adopted at 1 year old

Daredevil like their mama

Snarky lil shit

SUPER smart

Rabbit holder

***BONUS MY OC COUPLES!!!!:***

Breckvie:

Destiny:

She/Her

Age 17

Proper lady like Evie

Ridiculously kind, compulsively cares for others

Also can put her foot down

Kind of has a crush on Elicia

Pig holder, Rose is mentoring her

Reagan:

She/Her

Age 12

Herbo™️

Crazy good cook, wants to be a chef

Big daddy’s girl

Milo:

He/Him

Age 9

Wants to be a vet like his dad

Happiest kid in the world

Randomly befriends and adopts animals

Jessthony:

Warren:

He/They

Age 15

Adopted at 3

Shy like Jesse, but quietly snarky like Anthony

Fidgets a lot

Wants to be a designer, kind of a protege to Mari

Loves hanging out with his cousins, June and Hector (Fred Haprele and Imelda Ortega got married during Jesse and Mylene’s last year of Lycee💖)

Goat holder, Nath helped mentor them

Leave your thoughts in the comments and reblogs!

[cornerofhell]

I did a post about my Slasher OCs pets here: https://www.tumblr.com/cornerofhell/757496215047929856/idk-why-i-randomly-got-curious-about-this-do-any?source=share and mentioned I'd do a seperate post for my ray kids! Here we are!!!!

Charles Lee Ray Jr: CJ has several different pets of different varieties. For one, he shares pets with his partners! Bethy's pittie, Jethro, and Fiery's bearded dragon, Elmo. He loves both pets very much and makes sure to take care of both. The pets that would be closest to his own are also Bethy's farm animals, specifically the pigs, all from a litter of piglets. They have five, and he honestly adores them, and named them all. Dorian, Rocko, Lenore, Alice, and Shaggy. All named after different medias he loves, all with their own personalities and he loves every one. He's not even afraid to get dirty with them, and they're very loyal to him, Bethy, and Fiery.

Bonny Elizabeth Ray: Bonny has one pet and that is a longhair black cat named Jubilee, who she often accessorizes in cute little kitty goth collars and costumes, when she's comfortable ofc.

Kandice Elizabeth Ray: Kandy has a bird! A male blue and golden macaw who you often will see on her shoulder, who she named Buddy, because he is indeed her buddy and she loves him so much. She often talks to him and teaches him new words, and buys him new toys.

Beatrice Marie Ray: Betty has only one pet (though she's thinking of getting more) and that's a beautiful Betta fish who she named Georgia. Georgia has a HUGE tank and Betty makes sure her girl has everything she needs to be happy and play.

(Gonna use my versions of Glen and Glenda)

Glen Hades Ray: Glen has several pets! They have three rats, Josuke, Poppy, and Wybie. They are all beloved and spoiled, and have TONS of space where they can play and have all the fun they want. She also has two female river otters named Lagoona and Abbey who they also spoil rotten with tons of water space and fish, and of course, love.

Glenda Eileen Ray: Glenda has more different animals... Like an alligator, named Gummy, though unlike who he's named after, this Gummy has many many rows of teeth. Glenda adores their baby and makes sure he has all the swamp he needs. She also has a chiweenie named Bruno who you will often see in her purse, also very spoiled and adored and often put in adorable little outfits and fed filet mignon.

Anthony James Ray: Tony has a pet turtle name Smaug! He loves just chilling on Tony's chest while he's reading or swimming around and doing tricks. Tony loves him a lot.

[siblingshowdown]

Sibling Showdown!!!

This showdown consists of 64 sibling sets facing off against each other, as well as a few one-off polls of sets who didn’t make the actual bracket but who I wanted to include in some capacity.  Polls will last a week.  Round One of section A will go live on April 16, with section B going live the day after, section C the day after that, and section D the day after that.

Propaganda is allowed!  I just ask that it be kept positive.  Argue for your faves instead of against someone else’s.  Every sibling set who made it in the showdown is there because someone wanted them to be, so keep it kind.

Will the winners be the siblings that love each other the most?  That are most capable of killing other sibling groups with their bare hands?  That have the most sibling swag?  It’s up to you to decide!  You get to choose the manner and parameters you judge each sibling set for.

Section A:

Edward and Alphonse Elric (Fullmetal Alchemist) vs. Seiko and Ryuunosuke Tanaka (Haikyuu!!)

Wirt and Greg (Over the Garden Wall) vs.  Han Yoojin and Han Yoohyun (The S-Classes That I Raised)

Shigeo and Ritsu Kageyama (Mob Psycho 100) vs.  Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long (RWBY)

Sans and Papyrus (Undertale) vs. Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado (Demon Slayer)

Jiang Yanli, Wei Wuxian, and Jiang Cheng (Mo Dao Zu Shi/The Untamed) vs. Hikaru and Kaoru (Ouran High School Host Club)

Vi and Jinx (Arcane) vs. Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara (Naruto)

Sokka and Katara (Avatar: the Last Airbender) vs. Maya and Mia Fey (Ace Attorney)

Vash the Stampede and Millions Knives (Trigun) vs.  Lucas and Claus (Mother 3)

Section B:

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo Hamato (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) vs. Violet, Dash, and Jack-Jack Parr (The Incredibles)

Yakko, Wakko, and Dot Warner (The Animaniacs) vs. Jazz and Danny Fenton (Danny Phantom)

Huey, Dewey, and Louie (Ducktales) vs. Sitka, Denahi, and Kenai (Brother Bear)

Dion, Frazie, Razputin, Mirtala, and Queepie Aquato (Psychonauts) vs. Skipper, Rico, Kowalski, and Private (Madagascar)

Eda and Lilith Clawthorne (The Owl House) vs. Snap, Crackle, and Pop (Rice Krispies)

Bonnie and Clemont (Pokemon X and Y) vs. Annika and Brietta (Barbie: Magic of Pegasus)

Candace, Phineas, and Ferb (Phineas and Ferb) vs. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup (Powerpuff Girls)

Nani and Lilo Pelekai (Lilo and Stitch) vs. Kai and Nya (Lego Ninjago)

Section C:

Maddie and Buck Buckley (911) vs. Steven, Shirley, Theo, Luke, and Nell Crain (The Haunting of HIll House)

David and Alexis Rose (Schitt’s Creek) vs. Dennis and Dee Reynolds (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Jonathan Byers, Will Byers, and El Hopper (Stranger Things) vs.  Prue, Piper, and Phoebe (Charmed)

Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Five, Ben, Viktor Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy tv) vs. Mary, Billy, Freddy, Pedro, Eugene, and Darla (Shazam! movies)

Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain-Wayne, and Duke Thomas (DC comics) vs. Simon and River Tam (Firefly)

Elliot and Darlene Alderson (Mr. Robot) vs. Kara and Alex Danvers (Supergirl TV)

Connor, Kendall, Siobhan, and Roman Roy (Succession) vs. Sharpay and Ryan Evans (High School Musical)

Thor and Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe) vs. Sarah and Felix (Orphan Black)

Section D:

Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras (The Silmarillion) vs. Antigone, Polynices, Eteocles, and Ismene (Greek Mythology/Sophocles’s Theban plays)

Coronabeth and Ianthe Tridentarius (The Locked Tomb) vs. Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia)

Nico and Bianca Di Angelo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) vs. Declan, Ronan, and Matthew Lynch (The Raven Cycle/The Dreamer Trilogy)

Alec, Isabelle, Max Lightwood, and Jace Herondale-Lightwood (Shadowhunters) vs. Lark and Sparrow Oak (Dungeons and Daddies)

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire (A Series of Unfortunate Events) vs. Linus and Lucy Van Pelt (Peanuts)

Boromir and Faramir (The Lord of the Rings) vs. Bellamy and Octavia Blake (The 100)

Katniss and Primrose Everdeen (The Hunger Games) vs. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March (Little Women)

Kiryu Kazuma and Nishikiyama Akira (Yakuza) vs. Cain and Abel (the Torah/the Bible)

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Aaand I'm back! Three days in the field sure does wonders to help one appreciate the comforts of home- although, of course, I'm already planning my next outing.

And, for my efforts, I got over twenty turtles! That's quite a lot considering I was only trapping in a small area- and there was only myself and my assistant to process them all. It was a lot of work, and I got bit and scratched up pretty thoroughly, but it was totally worth it.

Anyway, thank you all for your patience, and we'll be returning to our regularly scheduled Uncharismatic Fauna bright and early Monday morning.

(A bonus pic of my assistant notching the shell of a Mary River turtle (Emydura macquarii))

[useless-catalanfacts]

Photos: the cucafera of Tarragona, Tortosa, Montblanc and Reus.

One of the fearsome beasts in Catalan mythology is the Cucafera.

It's more or less a mix of a giant turtle and a dragon, related to the Tarasca from Provence. It's said that female cucaferes lay a large quantity of eggs in the mud of lakes and shores, where the sun keeps them warm until it's time to leave the egg. But many eggs get sucked down the sand, and for this reason very few of these eggs result in a baby cucafera, explaining why there are so few of these animals. They eat sea sturgeons and other big fish and generally avoid humans, but when humans attack them or try to fish them, they defends themselves by fighting the humans with violence, moving incredibly fast. If the fight happens on land, the cucafera moves to hit its enemies with its shell, and if it happens at sea, its hits them until they drown. Sometimes the cucafera is also used to scare children, and is said that every day it eats 13 cats and 13 children alive.

There are different legends in different towns that talk of local fishermen who tried to catch a cucafera or people who have tried to tame one. These legends serve to explain why a cucafera takes part in the processons/parades of the town. The oldest written document that talks of a cucafera figure parading for these festivities is from Montblanc in the 14th century.

If you've followed this blog for a while or are familiar with Catalan culture, you'll know that festivities like festa major and Corpus are celebrated with traditional dances and figures that represent giants, dragons and other animals of the Bestiary. In some towns, a tamed cucafera also walks the parade. Some cucafera figures, like the ones from Tortosa and Reus, open and close their jaw to make a loud sound to scare children.

Children putting their hand in the cucafera's mouth in Tortosa.

Under the "keep reading", I've translated a legend from Tortosa about an adventurer who followed a wizard's words and who, with the help of follets (tiny elfs), fought a cucafera to save a princess. I hope you enjoy it!

A long time ago, a young man arrived to Tortosa. He was handsome and unusually tall, and wore a robe embroidered in gold and a beautiful stoat cape, proof of his status. From his belt hanged a long sword with which he had won a thousand fights, so heavy that only he could use it. His name was Rufolet, and he came from a far-away land in search of a princess called Rubí [Ruby] who had been enchanted by a wizard.

He went to see the city's authorities to ask for directions. The city councillors asked him how did he know that Rubí was in Tortosa. Rufolet explained that the wizard told Rubí's father "do not worry about your daughter; it will take many years until you see her again, as a punishment for your bad deeds and the mistreatment of your vassals, but the day will come when the bravest of your subjects will find the way and will know how to set her free from the spell. This subject will walk always towards the setting sun until he reaches a place where a wide river of clear waters crosses next to a city surrounded by city walls and seven gates, whose inhabitants are brave and hard-working, whose orchards give the most delicate fruits, whose garrigues produce the best oil, and whose temperature is sweet and pleasant all year long; near there Rubí will be found. As the most significant detail: that city has the Holy Ribbon, weaved by the Virgin Mary's own hands and which she used to tie around her waist when she was pregnant." [Relic kept in Tortosa's cathedral.]

And so, Rufolet continued, this city could only be Tortosa. Rufolet asked the directions to their nearest cave, which the councillors gave. The next morning at sunrise, he followed the directions: left the city, crossed the river and forests, slashing with his sword to open a path where the vegetation is the densest. It was already noon when he heard someone shouting "help!!! help me!!!!". He ran following the voice and arrived to a pond, where a follet [small elf] was drowning after trying to drink water. Rufolet quickly grabbed the follet's leg and pulled him out of the water.

"Thank you, noble sir" said the follet as soon as he could talk. "I'm Xaco, the oldest follet of our whole group. I would have died if it were not for you".

"Do not worry, it is not important. You would have done the same for me" answered Rufolet.

"Of course, do not doubt it" continued Xaco vainly, "because even though I am smaller than you, I am much more powerful."

"It is fine, there is no reason to get mad for something like this. I am happy I could help you" replied Rufolet.

"Very well, and I am very thankful. And to prove it, I and all the follets of this mountain range rest at your service to help you with the deed that brought you here. If you are in danger, just shout 'Xaco!' and we will quickly be there."

Rufolet continued walking up the mountain. When he reached the top, he saw the princess Rubí resting under a tree's shade. He stopped a moment to admire her beauty, when he heard a loud sound next to him: "Ggnnyyooff…!! Ggnnyyooff…!!"

He turned around and saw a terrible beast, with fire coming out of its eyes and fog out of its mouth. Rufolet started running downhill as fast as he could while desperately shouting "Xaco! Xaco!!!!" and seven follets came out of a bush, looking terrified because that beast had been scaring them all this time.

"Xaco, please, help me. I would never have thought that the beast would be so terrifying!" pleaded Rufolet.

"What did you expect!" said Xaco, laughing. "When I offered you our help, I did so knowing that you alone would never be able to defeat this beast, which we call a cucafera. You must use more skill than strength, and us follets have the secret to dominate it. Don't rush, for its head is so hard that no sword can slash it."

A second follet named Guarí continued. "First of all, you must know that the cucafera is harmless. Its disgusting body makes everyone believe it's an evil beast, but if you want it to be docile, you must only take your sword and cut off its ears and tail."

"But your sword", added a third follet called Canasta, "needs to be sharpened, because the cucafera's tail is very hard. Give it to us, and Xut and I will fix it."

Since it was already almost sundown, the seven follets and Rufolet had dinner and went to sleep. Right before sunrise, Xut and Canasta brought in Rufolet's sword, shining as the sun.

Rufolet and the follets went to the cave. The fight was short, since Rufolet knew exactly what he had to do. He slashed his left ear, then the right ear, and finally the tail. Suddenly, the terrible cucafera became calm and tamed, and slowly moved towards Rufolet and started licking his feet like a dog.

"Thank God, I'm free at last" said Rubí, still trembling of emotion. "Thank you, Rufolet, for taming the beast. Now we can go back to our country and we will get married."

"Yes, Rubí. And we will live happily ever after," answered Rufolet, "but we must take the cucafera with us so your father can have it in the royal garden as a reminder of this terrible adventure."

"What about us?" said Xaco, standing between them. "We also want to come and see your far-away lands and spend some time there among you. But only a short time, because we must come back here to work in our cave, which from now on will be called Rubí."

And so all the group walked back to Tortosa, with the follets dancing of happiness and Rubí and Rufolet holding hands. Near the city, they found the bagpipe players, who asked them who they are and where they come from. Xaco explained what had happened and asked the bagpipe players the same. "Today is the holiday of Corpus, and every year we play in the procession."

"The Tortosan people will be very happy to know we have caught the cucafera" said Xaco, "and it would be good for it to enter the city with the sound of the bagpipes." And the bagpipe players agreed.

And thus, with the music, the follets dancing, Rubí and Rufolet smiling and the cucafera walking calmly, they entered the city. But when they reached the Cathedral, the square was crowded with people who had gathered to watch the Corpus procession that was about to start. The only way to cross was right there between the crowd, and so they did right at the time when the procession was starting. Since that day, it was decided that the Cucafera, Rubí, Rufolet and the seven follets, followed by the musicians, would be the first ones in the procession. But nowadays they're not flesh and blood, because the real ones all went to Rubí's country and still haven't come back.

This legend is translated and summed up from the version published by Joan Subirats in 1957 (source).

Tortosa's cucafera and the giants, called Rufo and Rubí.

[niibaataa]

Nishnaabe Nagamonan

Disclaimer: Some works deal with historical wrongs, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, colonialism, and residential/boarding schools. Exercise caution.

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm is a member of Saugeen Ojibway First Nation. Akiwenzie-Damm has served as Poet Laureate for Owen Sound and North Grey. In 1993, she established Kegedonce Press, a publishing house devoted to Indigenous writers. She has also authored Without Reservation: Indigenous Erotica.

Works: (Re)Generation, My Heart is a Stray Bullet.

Marie Annharte Baker is a member of Little Saskatchewan First Nation. Annharte's work concentrates on women, urban, Indigenous, disability, and related topics. She critiques life from Western Canada. After graduating with an English degree in the 1970s, she became involved in Native activism and was one of the first people in North America to teach a class entirely on Native women.

Works: Indigena Awry, Miskwagoode, Exercises in Lip Pointing.

Lesley Belleau is a member of Garden River First Nation. She is noted for her 2017 collection Indianland. She has an MA in English literature from the University of Windsor and is working on a PhD in Indigenous Studies from Trent University.

Works: Indianland.

Kimberly M. Blaeser is an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation. Blaeser served as Wisconsin's Poet Laureate from 2015-2016. She is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Miluwakee. A contemporary of Vizenor, she is the first critic to publish a book-length study on his fiction. She has been writing poetry since 1993.

Works: Apprenticed to Justice, Trailing You, Absentee Indians and Other Poems.

Diane Burns was a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles band. Burns was Anishinaabe through her mother and Chemehuevi through her father. Burns attended the Institute of American Indian Arts and Barnard College (within Columbia University). She was also an accomplished visual artist. She is considered an important figure within the Native American contemporary arts movement.

Works: Riding the One-Eyed Ford (available online).

Aja Couchois Duncan is a Bay Area educator, writer, and coach. Duncan is of Ojibwe, French, and Scottish descent. Her debut collection won the California Book Award. She holds an MFA in creative writing from San Francisco State University.

Works: Restless Continent, Vestigal.

Heid E. Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain band. Erdrich is a granddaughter of Patrick Gourneau, who fought against Indian termination during his time as tribal chairman from 1953-1959. Erdrich holds a PhD in Native American Literature and Writing. Erdrich used to teach, but has since stepped back from doing it full-time. She directs Wiigwaas Press, an Ojibwe language publisher.

Works: Cell Traffic, The Mother's Tongue, Curator of Ephemera at the New Museum for Archaic Media.

Louise Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain band. Erdrich is a granddaughter of Patrick Gourneau, who fought against Indian termination during his time as tribal chairman from 1953-1959. She is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant writers of the Native American Renaissance. Owner of Birchbark Books, an independent bookstore that focuses on Native Literature.

Works: Jacklight, Original Fire, Baptism of Desire.

David Groulx was raised in Elliott Lake, Ontario. Groulx is Ojibwe and French Canadian. He received his BA in Literature from Lakehead University and later studied creative writing at the En'owkin Centre in British Columbia. He has also studied creative writing at the University of Victoria.

Works: From Turtle Island to Gaza, Rising With a Distant Dawn, Imagine Mercy.

Gordon Henry Jr is an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation. Gordon Henry Jr holds a PhD in Literature from the University of North Dakota and is currently a professor of English at Michigan State University. He has authored several novels and poetry collections and is a celebrated writer in Michigan.

Works: Spirit Matters, The Failure of Certain Charms.

Jane Johnston Schoolcraft was Born in Sault Ste. Marie on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Schoolcraft was given the name of Bamewawagezhikaquay ('Woman of the Sound that the stars make Rushing Through the Sky') in Ojibwe. Her mother was Ozhaguscodaywayquay, the daughter of the Ojibwe war chief Waubojeeg. Her father was fur-trader John Johnston. Johnston is regarded as the first major Native American female writer. She wrote letters and poems in both English and Ojibwe.

Writeup containing works.

Denise Lajimodiere is a citizen of the Turtle Mountain band. Lajimodiere is considered an expert on Native American boarding schools following her work Stringing Rosaries, published in 2019. She is a poet, professor, scholar, and the current Poet Laureate of North Dakota.

Works: His Feathers Were Chains, Thunderbird: Poems, Dragonfly Dance.

Linda Legarde Grover is a member of the Bois Forte Band. She is a columnist for the Duluth Tribune and Professor Emeritus of American Indian Studies at University of Minnesota (Duluth). She has written poetry, short stories, and essays.

Works: The Sky Watched, Onigamiising.

Sara Littlecrow-Russel is of Ojibwe and Han-Naxi Métis descent. Russell is a lawyer and professional mediator as well as a poet. She has worked at the Center for Education and Policy Advocacy at the University of Massachusetts and for Community Partnerships for Social Change at Hampshire College.

Works: The Secret Powers of Naming.

Jim Northrup was a member of the Fond du Lac Reservation in Minnesota. Northrup lived a traditional lifestyle in his early years. As a child, he attended an Indian boarding school where he suffered physical abuse. Later in life, he served in the Vietnam war and experienced PTSD. Much of his poetry comes from these hardships.

Works: Walking the Rez Road, Rez Salute: The Real Healer Dealer, Anishinaabe Syndicated.

Duke Redbird was born in Saugeen First Nation. He became a ward of Children's Aid at nine months old when his mother died in a house fire. He began writing to give words to his experiences as an Indigenous man raised by white foster families. He is recognized as a key figure in the development of First Nations literature.

His poetry is available on his site.

Denise Sweet is a member of the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota. Sweet served as Wisconsin's Poet Laureate from 2004-2008. She has taught creative writing, literature, and mythology at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Works: Songs for Discharming, Palominos Near Tuba City.

Mark Turcotte is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band. Turcotte is a visiting assistant professor of English at DePaul University. He has published two books of poetry. His chapbook, Road Noise, was translated into French.

Works: The Feathered Heart, Exploding Chippewas.

E. Donald Two-Rivers was raised in Emo Township, Ontario. He moved to Chicago at age 16 and became involved with the Urban Native community there. A playwright, spoken-word performer, and a poet, Two-Rivers had been an activist for Native rights since the 1970s. He was the founding director of the Chicago-based Red Path Theater Company.

Works: Powwows, Fat Cats, and Other Indian Tales, A Dozen Cold Ones by Two-Rivers.

Gerald Vizenor is an enrolled member of the White Earth Reservation. Vizenor has published over 30 books. He taught at the University of California for many years and is currently at the University of New Mexico. He has a long history of political activism and he is considered one of the most prolific Indigenous ironists writing today.

Works: Favor of Crows, Cranes Arise, Empty Swings.