These birds were feeding at a location at Wilsons Promontory know to us (and probably almost no-one else) as "Icon Field", due to it tendency to hold wildlife icons such as Emus, Wombats and Kangaroos. It is intact an area that was once an airfield. We also stop there on our Prom trips.
The Emu - Dromaius novaehollandiae - is common enough in many areas of Australia. There were once two other species (or maybe races) of Emu in Australia, one in Tasmania and one on Kangaroo Island, but both are now extinct for predictable reasons.
Emus are fast runners and their scientific name means 'New-Holland Racer' - which actually makes sense.
The day after this post 'goes live' I will be heading off to the Northern Territory for just over a week - so I will be well and truely 'off the grid' as far as internet and such like. So, don't get impatient if you dont hear from me for a while. (WBW next week will still be there, courtesy of the 'Schedule' function!)
So, off you go, click the Blue Button and I'll see you when I get back! SM
I've always thought these were fascinating birds, but I've only seen them in zoos. Have a good time on your trip!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see and photograph these birds. Hope all oes well when you are in the Northern Territory and thanks for hosting Stewart
ReplyDeleteThey really are fascinating looking birds. I'd love to see one in the wild one day.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness at least one of this clan survived. I hear they also can deliver a strong kick. Enjoy your travels, and thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteHello, great post and photos. The Emu is a cool looking bird, one I only see in the zoo here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, have a great trip!
A pretty bird. I like the coloring with just a spot of blue.
ReplyDeletecool but curious birds, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI cannot help but wonder what domestic cats think of such large birds!
ReplyDeleteWell I'll be!!! You learn something new everyday! I always thought Emu's were mammals! I didn't know they were birds! Thanks for setting me straight Stewart!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) Great shots of this very curious looking bird. It reminds me of some shoe polish I used to buy, because there was a picture of an Emu on the lid. That was the first time I, saw one!:) Have a good trip.:)
ReplyDeleteI've only seen emus in farms [where they raise them]....never in the wild. What a treat.
ReplyDeleteDelightful photos of these wonderful birds. Have a great trip Stewart.
ReplyDeletehope you enjoyed your time offgrid.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos. Have a great trip. Diane
ReplyDeleteLove the Emus. Though we don't have them running free around here, they are often in bird sanctuaries and zoos. Your photographs are wonderful and show a much stronger and beautiful bird than I have seen here. If he would lay down he would look like a haystack with a head ... hmmm. I guess I really didn't need to say that. I hope your "up north" trip is for pleasure instead of or as well as work. I will be interested in hearing what is in the north of Australia ... is that where the "out back" is? Be safe, Stewart :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Hi Stewart, enjoy your trip to the Northern Territories. I'm sure you'll return with MANY birds to show us. I posted about an Emu at the beginning of July - I saw it along a regional road (behind a fence) and only after I had snapped it a few times, did I recognize it. It's exotic in our country, of course. Thanks for the interesting information and thanks for hosting this meme. You encourage me to keep my "bird eye" in! Greetins Jo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful feathers..Love their texture..Wonderful photos..great shots..Their oil has many purposes in Holistic medicine..Enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteStewart, this bird was an answer in yesterday’s crossword. Enjoy seeing its photo. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteenjoy your trip. ha, I didn't know about emu's scientific name. very interesting.
ReplyDeleteHope you see lots of feathered friends to share with us! A bird sanctuary we visited once had an Emu. I was smitten!
ReplyDeleteHave a safe and enjoyable trip.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time up north Stewart! I'm looking forward to an exciting report upon your return.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on that trip! (As if I have to tell you). We have an animal safari place fairly near us here in Oregon and have seen emus strolling about there -- it's not quite the same as being out in nature for real though. Better than a zoo, but not as good as the real thing.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the emu. I like its shiny blue neck. I met one in NT which had made itself at home on Lorella Springs Station. It joined the chooks when it was feed time.
ReplyDeleteCute shots. Enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteEmus are great. I've only seen them in the zoo. I can only imagine what they look like in the wild. So many tiny birds and then there is the EMU! Crazy!
ReplyDeleteI have the name of the bird I needed. It is a Yellow-faced honeyeater :)
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