Helena Walker, a young and ambitious biologist and palaeontologist, wakes up one day on an island she has never seen before. She is confused and frightened, because she cannot explain how she got here. When she examines her arm, she discovers a stra...
I've lost count of how many sunrises I've seen since I arrived on this island. Hundreds, I reckon, and every one of them has been more breathtaking than the last. Sometimes I take Athena, my Argentavis, just before dawn and watch the sunrise as we glide across the morning sky. It is in these simple moments that I realize how lucky I am.
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The Argentavis was by far the largest bird on the island. With its mighty wings, which had a wingspan of over six meters, it dominated the sky. Its body was mainly covered with blue-orange feathers that shone in the sunlight. Its eyes were an intense yellow and were always alert and sharp.
A sharp-eyed and vulture-like bird of prey, the Argentavis relied on its sharp beak and enormous fangs to grab and kill prey. Its beak was powerful enough to crush thick bones and its fangs, which were almost as long as its entire hand, could dig deep into the flesh of its prey. The Argentavis was able to get its food from the air and was also a feared hunter on the ground.
But the Argentavis was not only a feared bird of prey, it was also a breathtakingly beautiful creature.
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It's not that I was unhappy exploring the reefs and rainforests of Australia, but I never had the opportunity to see a brontosaurus wandering through the outback. Since being on this island, I have had the unique opportunity to study creatures that no other biologist has ever seen before. This opportunity is invaluable to me and I am eternally grateful for it.
But the beauty of this island goes far beyond the breathtaking sunrises. The rainforest that stretches across the island is full of life, color, but also many dangers. The trees are covered in green leaves and their branches bear all kinds of fruit. The air is filled with birdsong, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees and the cries of some creatures.
In addition to the rainforest, there is also the coast, which is covered in fine, white sand and breaks on crystal-clear water. Here you can find a wide variety of marine life, from small fish to giant whales.
The mountain landscape in the north-west was filled with an icy cold that ate deep into our bones. The snow lay meters high on the ground and glistened in the light of the afternoon sun. The air was so clear that you could see as far as the horizon.
The mountains themselves were impressively beautiful. They towered like mighty sentinels, covered in a white blanket of snow and ice. The peaks were shrouded in clouds and their flanks were criss-crossed by deep gorges and winding paths.
The inactive volcano in the center of the island was a place full of danger and beauty. It towered like a mighty castle and its black, cracked surface glowed in the light of the sun. Occasionally, clouds of smoke rose from the crater and were carried away by the wind. The air was filled with a pungent smell and you could hear the rumble of the fire blazing deep inside the mountain.
The marshland was a humid, sultry landscape with numerous rivers and streams running through it. The ground was covered in mud and mire and the water that meandered lazily through the area was a greenish color. The trees that lined the marshland were crooked and stunted and their branches were entwined with creepers. The air was filled with a heavy, sweet scent and you could hear the buzzing of insects and the chirping of crickets.
All in all, this island is a true paradise and a place of terror at the same time. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be here and explore all its beauties. I am sure that I will have many more beautiful sunrises and unforgettable experiences on this island.
