Platypus Oma

Pastel on Mi Tientes Tex ($POA)

49 cm W x 42 cm H
During February 2019 tropical cyclone Oma caused gale force winds, abnormally high tides and large surf about the southeast Queensland coast, northern New South Wales coast and Lord Howe Island. During this period a platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) found its way into our small creek and pond, displaying little fear of us as it hunted for freshwater yabbies. Naturally it became known as Platypus Oma and had to be immortalised in art. The IUCN lists the platypus on its Red List as “Near Threatened” as assessed in 2016, when it was estimated that numbers had reduced by about 30 percent on average since European settlement. Since Platypus Oma we have spotted another two platypi in our creek at different times and are always thrilled to do so.