The Reds

Pastel on Pastelmat Board ($POA)

Image size 80 cm h x 60 cm w
Framed  100 cm h  x 78 cm w
I recently spent time in Western Australia where these stunning Forest Red Tails reside. Sadly they are critically endangered due to losses of native habitat, car strikes, nesting competition, animal attacks, and poaching.
They mate for life, sometimes over 50 years, but as they breed slowly, just one young every second year, increasing the species’ numbers has proven difficult.
Their distinctive screech gave them their Noongar name, the Karrak, and is also old bush-lore indicating rain is coming. To see them fly overhead is an absolute privilege, and I hope to have paid homage to their beauty in my artwork.