There’s more than just koalas at the koala sanctuary. Among other attractions, there’s an enclosed area with kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. Great opportunity to get pictures of these birds with zoo bars in the foreground, and I was taking advantage of it when I realized that my efforts were attracting a bit of a buzz. Hoping I hadn’t violated a local custom or law, I lowered the camera to see what the fuss was about.
And found that there was more than one emu in the area. I had been so intent on my subject, that I hadn’t noticed the other big bird come up to me. He was standing right underneath the lens, intent on the bag of ‘roo food I was holding aloft next to my camera. As soon as I noticed him, he moved – keeping an eye on the prize but still stepping aside quickly – so this photo catches him in motion. I’m proud of myself that I could stop laughing long enough to press the shutter release, but there was no extra time available to refocus or adjust settings.
Here s/he is, a little steadier but still up close.
Got birds?
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Haha, love that second photo Wren. I hope to visit all you guys @ BPW soon again.
It’s a good representation of the encounter. I’m still amazed that the emu could get that close without me hearing it.
Yowsers! Now that’s a bird… It must feel pretty cool to be so close to such big birds, even if they are sneaking up on you!
Yes, I’m always taking advantage of those 1-to-1 encounters with critters. I don’t know that I’m increasing interspecies communication or cooperation, but I’m having a great time.
Interesting post, Wren!.. and great photos of the emu (especially the wee one)
THey do make good subjects, even if they aren’t very adept at standing still.
It is hard to find an Emu in the wild around our local area these days. Great post.
I’ve never seen one in the wild – that would be quite something.
Hi Wren, Years ago I had a friend on a big station/ranch out west. They had an emu that had become tame and used to wander all around their house. The annoying thing was it liked their afternoon tea ‘goodies’ (biscuits, scones and pikelets – um… translated I hope – cookies, hot cakes, and small pancakes usually smothered with jam and cream!!) and used to quietly come onto the veranda behind where they were sitting and then just quickly reach over from behind them and grab what it wanted! It used to really scare unsuspecting visitors!
I can imagine that being a bit startling, to put it mildly. I’d probably be laughing so hard I wouldn’t be able to eat anything anyway.
Haha, cheeky emu! Did he get any ‘roo food then?
He did get a little, by virtue of the element of surprise. Ironically, the ‘roos themselves were satiated and uninterested.
Wow Wren, I bet that was a bit startling! Those birds have powerful beaks and legs for that matter. They are so cool looking though. Being out in the country here, we have several Emu and Ostrich farms that sprouted up during the hay day when folks thought they could farm these birds for a profit. When the notion of eating Emu and Ostrich didn’t take in the US, many “farmers” simply released the birds to fend for themselves. We still have an Ostrich close by and a neighbor with several Emus. I love the deep drumming sound the Emus make.
These guys were very tame, fortunately. I don’t think I’d want to be withholding food from a determined emu without any social inhibitions.
Is your nearby ostrich on a farm, or is it one of the parolees?
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