The first time you see one you cannot help but be struck how big Emus are. The largest females stand almost 2 m tall. They are flightless but can run really, really quickly. There used to be sub-species of these birds on many of the larger Australian Islands – but they have gone the way of the Dodo.
The photographs of the single birds were taken in the Grampians National Park, the group shot at Wilsons Prom and the close up at Healsville Sanctuary.
One of the things that interest me about these birds is the window they give into the past. It was not all that long ago that huge birds like this were common in New Zealand – the Moa. When you see the substantial “drum sticks” on Emus you can understand why people ate the Moa into extinction. But when you see a flock of Emus charging through the landscape you can help but wonder what a landscape dominated by similar birds would be like.
You can find more birds at the eminently sensibly named World Bird Wednesday.
You can find the latest post to my other blog by clicking the Paying Ready Attention image on the RHS of the screen.
Enjoy the birds.
they are such crazy looking birds! we have a farm near here that raises them.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures you show of emus. I've seen them in Haunstrup ZOO, and heard them "speak" sounds that sounds like a bass drum. Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteCool looking birds! I've only seen them in zoos, but they're fun to watch.
ReplyDeletePrehistoric looking birds! I liked to watch them run wild in SA. We have emu farms here in Canada, but knowing their fate, I can't bring myself to snap pics of them.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous captures of the emus, Stewart! I've only seen them in zoos! It must be wonderful seeing them like this! But unfortunately, they're an endangered species like so many others! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
That's really a giant !
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed nifty birds. Your photos are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNice captures, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Emu!!Thanks for sharing and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteShantana
It would be so cool to be among the larger birds. Your photos are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYou're not going to believe this, but Emus were brought into S. Ontario as an alternative to turkeys. The plan like the Emu didn't fly. Again that's where I saw there guys up close. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThey are such amazing looking birds.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots Stewart!
ReplyDeleteI especially like the face closeup.
This reminds me of one on a farm not far from here that we saw a couple of winters ago. I should go by and see it it's still there.
They are cool looking birds, great shots.
ReplyDeleteI love that closeup head shot! They are fascinating birds.
ReplyDeletelovely photos of our emus Stewart. I saw some in the wild between home and Broken Hill but the coach didn't stop for pics :(. Interesting to learn that the male takes care of the chicks while Mum goes and does her own thing.
ReplyDeleteOne day while walking through the Melbourne Zoo i actually seen a Emu pluck a lighted cigarette from someones hand and take off with it, what happened after that i've no idea :-).
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - I think it would have been fun to be around before all those extinctions took place.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed these. We have them at the petting zoo, as well as out large zoo, but I have never seen them doing anything other than standing, or walking about. Love seeing them right where they belong;')~
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting looking birds! I have seen them in farms in my travels, but never in the wild. I think they would frighten me to death!
ReplyDeletei visit a farm with emu's, not too far from my home, i think they are very cool and oh so cute!!
ReplyDeleteyour images are really good, portraying their entertaining personality!!
they are fun to watch!!
These shots are great fun!
ReplyDeleteStrange looking birds, Stewart! I wonder what those fluffy feathers supposed to do, protect against heat or keep the birds warm in the cold?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I had appreciated quite how tall they are. Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the cool looking birds.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the close up of the adorable face.
Wow Stewart, I wish I had had these photos for my Terror bird rant. Emus are, as you say, a link to the past.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Sir!
These are huge birds, they amazed me when I seen them. I can't even imagine eating something this big, like the birds you mentioned in NZ, the size of the drumsticks would feed an entire family!
ReplyDeleteHave a g'day Stewart, cheers.
Beautiful photos. They are beautiful birds.
ReplyDeletethis is a very interesting bird. The way they put the legs when lying down really looks weird. But, I would love to see them.
ReplyDeletelooks like I will have to get on a plane to get these giants on my life list, failing that its off to Knowsley safari park..... not quite the same is it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Stuart
Very interesting birds! I love Australia for it's very unique animals,Koala, Platypus,Roo,etc.
ReplyDelete