Sunday, April 29, 2007

A Rare Find

As Tanya was driving us from Townsville up to the Atherton Tablelands, we were lucky enough to chance upon this rare find. A Cassowarry is a large, flightless bird, native to New Guinea and northern Australia. We were so excited at seeing this fine creature in the open - they usually stick to forested areas - that as soon as the car stopped Richard and I tumbled out into the rain, anxious to capture at least one photo. We didn't even wait to hear Tanya's stern warning, "Be careful. They can be really mean birds and have been known to attack humans. Just don't trust them." However, Tanya was even more excited than we were at seeing it. On subsequent days, whilst walking through the bush, we found official signs warning people to be careful of Cassowarries and advising what to do in case of confrontation. If I remember rightly, it was to walk backwards away from the bird and hold a backpack or something similar in front of you to help ward off attacks. This was the only one we saw - perhaps that was just as well.
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9 comments:

Tanya said...

Surely my words were more along the lines of, "watch out, they're mean bastards"...

Alice said...

True, true, Tanya - but I didn't want to show you up in your true colours!!!

Jellyhead said...

You saw a cassowary AND got a photo?! I'm jealous. It's even a good snap of the bird. Congratulations!

Kerri said...

How exciting! I can just see you and Richard tumbling out of the car in your haste to get a picture :)
He's not a particularly attractive chap, is he?
I'm glad you didn't get attacked. You did well to get this neat picture!

Baba said...

Thanks for sharing this photo of this rare bird...I have never heard of one, nor seen one. You never know what strange creatures live among us.. Baba

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Wow, how lucky to get a photo. All we ever got was the tail feathers as they scooted away !!
Take care, Meow

Sylvana said...

Great shot! I am fascinated by these birds - well actually most of the animals from that region fascinate me!

Val said...

Fantastic photo, and you were lucky, first to find one, and then not to come under attack. I remember seeing them in Healesville Sanctuary, behind wire, and me thinking I'm glad that wire's there!

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

I'm laughing at Tanya's comment.