This quilt is the second in a series that explore the ‘Birds of Australia’ theme.
The two window framed birds are taken from my most recent patterns and are set in a panorama from the Flinders Ranges THE WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE (Aquila audax) or bold eagle is an impressive and powerful bird, being Australia's largest bird of prey (and one of the biggest eagles in the world) They are found in most parts of the continent and, liking a solitary habitat, mostly choose rural settings. Eagles enjoy plentiful food supplies of small animals like rabbits, lizards, possums, wallabies and road kill. It is a powerful bird, known for flying with long and graceful movements, gliding and rolling in air thermals and soaring to great heights above mountain ranges. Named after their wide diamond shaped tails, they have leg feathers right down to their feet appearing as if to be wearing ‘baggy pants’.
Situated here, the eagle has a commanding view from the Northern Flinders ranges from St. Marys peak lookout over the Bunyeroo Valley. The landscape immediately behind the eagle is of the plains draining west to Lake Torrens. Australia has about 55 species of Parrots. (PINK COCKATOO -Cacatua leadbeateri) and this large variety seems to be related to our variety and numbers of native flowering trees and shrubs.
These trees provide nesting holes, insects to eat and the nectar, seeds, buds and flowers to feed on. Also known as a Major Mitchell, the Pink Cockatoo, has pink, grey and white feathers featured on an erect red and yellow crest, a strong, seed crushing beak and brown eyes for males; red eyes for female. Their most notable characteristic is their loud, ear piercing screech, made worse by their being part of a noisy flock, which can be a thousand birds or more. Flocks gather at dusk and dawn and in the outback, a gathering of Cockatoos will often indicate to a farmer or bush walker, the site of fresh water.
In this quilt design, the Cockatoo can be seen perched on a Eucalypt branch, with eggs in the hollow branch nest. The landscape illustrated is the Brachina Gorge, situated in the Flinders Ranges This gorge, with its’ plentiful water and gentle slopes is a popular camping spot and picnic place for bushwalkers and campers.
Winner Australian Quilt Show, April 2005.