Description A photograph from my Son's 'Best day ever'. After visiting the Mareeba Wetlands in Queensland, Australia, and on the edge of Eucalyptus woodland next to open grasslands , we came across this Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) A very peculiar bird indeed standing up to 2 metres (over 6 1/2 ft) high. They are flightless, like the Ostrich and they can run at 30 mph. They have very powerful legs which are reputed to be able to break through chain fence, so this is a bird you do not mess with! I did not need much bush craft to get close as he was entirely unphased by my presence (though I kept Harvey in the car and made no sudden moves) and he moved nearer to and further from me as his will took him. He came too close at one point for my lens to get his whole head in and seemed vaguely curious about me. I am very pleased with this side on portrait which shows the colours of the sandy soil as a backdrop.
James Bennett (Mr Bennett Kent), Sissinghurst, Kent, England Member Since July 2014 Artist Statement Fine Art Wildlife and Bird photography from the UK and my travels to America and Australia.
Macro and Extreme Macro photography of insects and plants are also represented, showing the fascinating and strangely beautiful world normally invisible to the naked eye.