Description: This little guy (a striated pardalote) was a real character, posing in the knobbly branches of an old coastal banksia. He was watching me closely, as if to say, “What are you doing here, this is my place?” To which I respond, “It’s ok little buddy, I’m just passing through, but you took my breath away with your spectacular oranges and yellows against that vibrant blue sky.”
Description: These cheeky birds are nature's pruners (Secateurs) often revealed by the mess of trimmed greenery below them, not to mention the noise. I used this expressive style of painting to capture the cheeky personality of this bird. There is a set of three paintings/designs for this cockatoo.
Description: I was riding through the Barossa valley, when I spotted two very colourful galahs sitting on top of the vines. I was sure they would fly off as soon as I got off my bike and pulled out my camera, but they didn’t. They were so “chilled out” they didn’t even move when a big vineyard truck came rumbling past.
Description: A shadow passed over head, it was big. I looked up to catch the graceful descent of a majestic Wedge-Tailed Eagle. I followed and hoped I might just be lucky enough to see where she landed. Yes, slowly I move in. I was able to get quite close before she ruffled up her feathers to let me know that was close enough, come no further. Clearly a young bird, with those beautiful golden feathers.
Description: "LBJ" That stands for Little Brown Job for you non birders. It is actually a little Tasmanian thornbill; they are only about 10cm long (beak to tail), very privileged that this little guy was so friendly and I got such a good look (and a few good reference photos for my painting).
