Protecting Her Young

Pastel on Pastelmat (sold)

51 cm W x 71 cm H
An early morning drive on Kangaroo Island revealed Cape Barron Geese (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) grazing in the grassy clearing. A month later half of the island was burning, and I was concerned for this little flock. Cape Barron Geese were almost hunted to extinction in the 1900’s but numbers eventually restored to 20,000 on Australia’s southern islands. They are monogamous, bonding for life, and aggressively defend their clutches of 4-5 eggs. They are one of the world’s rarest geese. In my artwork I highlight their beautiful plumage, the adult’s defensive position over the vulnerable chicks, and hint at the imminent danger of fire.