The Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is Australia's second largest bird, standing between 1.5 and 2m tall and weighing in at 26-50kg! By any standards that's a large bird.
Being a flightless bird it can run at about 50km per hour and is a surprisingly good swimmer. (The bit about swimming is taken from the books, not my own observation).
These birds were in a damp paddock near Halls Gaps, and being an inquisitive sort of bird they eventually came so close to me that I could no longer focus the lens on them.
I rather like the two head only shots, not just because they are sharp, but because they include a fly in each picture! In may even be the same fly!
As ever, to link to WBW just click on the blue button below! SM
Being a flightless bird it can run at about 50km per hour and is a surprisingly good swimmer. (The bit about swimming is taken from the books, not my own observation).
These birds were in a damp paddock near Halls Gaps, and being an inquisitive sort of bird they eventually came so close to me that I could no longer focus the lens on them.
I rather like the two head only shots, not just because they are sharp, but because they include a fly in each picture! In may even be the same fly!
This is a different kind of bird for you today. I love the profiles. They are so amusing to see. Nature is grand.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteIconic...possibly trite, but true! YAM xx
Gorgeous Pictures, Stewart, especially the ones where they are walking through the tall grasses. As for the fly in the picture, either you are delusional or I am blind ... I starred at them for a long time and didn't see the fly. Apparently old poops need more specific information as to the whereabouts of said fly ... :) I am gradually getting deeper and deeper into our moving process. At some point I expect to be swallowed whole, so if I just disappear at some point, don't hold your breath ... I fully expect to come out at the other end in tack and maybe even with my brain back. Wish me well Stewart, this is truly a pain .. ... ... :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Such unusual birds. Great head shots!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about them being inquisitive. I was parked on a quite country road in NSW, barely more than a farm track really, and two of them came right up to my car and tried to poke their heads in through the window.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Stewart and a change to have a flightless bird. Love the headshots. These you say are inquisitive, is it the cassowary that is unfriendly! Hope you have a food week, Diane
ReplyDeleteThAT SHOT WITH 2 HEADS IS CLASS STEWART/ Thanks for hosting and have a great wekk ahead
ReplyDeleteHey Stewart..did you ever see my photo of an emu? I had it on the blog one time. It lives here in Canada. Near my sister in the next province over. I have no idea how it survives the winters...maybe they have a special indoor heated area for it. It is a rare sighting here let me tell ya......
ReplyDeleteThose head shots are amazing. Those eyes!
ReplyDeleteLove your emus!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart, like BunbleVee I also posted about an Emu in my erstwhile home in the Free State. I loved this post of yours and love the last head shot. Thanks for hosting this meme. I'm hoping to be more regular if my internet allows. Greetings Jo
ReplyDeleteA cute face!
ReplyDeletevery nice shots.
ReplyDeleteNot shy birds, then, huh.
Stewart, this bird is often the answer in crossword puzzles. Glad that now have a image to refer too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've seen these birds at a commercial Wild Animal Safari place in Oregon ... not quite wild, but at least not in a cage. It must be quite amazing to come across these guys out in the real world!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! One bird I'll see only in zoos.
ReplyDeleteLove the last two head shots and the two before those..They (the ones where the Emu is coming thru the weeds) look like oils or watercolors with the feather definition..great shots!!
ReplyDeleteI love this bird!!!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen these in a zoo. Nice pictures!
ReplyDeleteSuch a bizarre looking bird. I've often wondered how they've survived the passage of time.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder what my domestic cat would think of such a bird!
ReplyDeleteVery unique, yet handsome. At least to me. Their bodies remind me of a teeter-totter.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots!
ReplyDeleteThe last time I saw one of these around here was never!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Stewart! Love the close-ups of their heads.
I see your blog daily, it is crispy to study.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very useful for me & i like so much...
Thanks for sharing the good information!
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