Artwork description:

After visiting the Mareeba Wetlands in Queensland, Australia, and on the edge of the Eucalyptus woodland, next to open grasslands, we came across this Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

A very peculiar bird indeed standing up to 2 metres (over 6 1/2 ft) high. They are flightless, like the Ostrich and they can run at 30 mph. They have very powerful legs which are reputed to be able to break through chain fence, so this is a bird you do not mess with!

I did not need much bush craft to get close as he was entirely unphased by my presence (though I kept Harvey in the car and made no sudden moves) and he moved nearer and further to me as his will took him. He came too close at one point for my lens to get his whole head and seemed fairly curious about me.

This side-on portrait shows the colours of the sandy soil as a backdrop.

Materials used:

Giclee print

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