Emu

05 Oct 2005

This, is an Emu. At point-blank range.

About once a year, H and I make a pilgrimage to somewhere with critters, eg a zoo, or wildlife park. (H is convinced I was a critter of some-sort in a previous life.)

The other week was a 3-day weekend so on the Monday I thought it was about time for a pilgrimage, and since there was a wildlife park just a quick drive through the hills, we headed off. Two tickets, one bag of critter kibble, a bit of a wander round the other critter areas and next thing ya know, we're in the emu paddock. As in, right in the emu paddock, with them wandering around. If you've only ever seen an emu on TV, take it from me that the TV camera doesn't lie on this one ... these are BIG birds. Big as a person in some cases, just not as intelligent. (Well, all depends on the person I guess.)

So I wander over to where a couple of them are, and ease myself closer. Thinking that maybe they'll feel less intimidated by me if I'm smaller than them, I crouch down and move a little closer. When I'm close enough that they're starting to look for which way to dash, I hold my hand out with some kibble (ie, food pellets, yummy stuff!) praying that the million or so kids who have no doubt passed through that morning were too scared shitless to get near enough to feed the emus too much!

The emu eyed me very suspiciously, then cautiously stretched out it's neck and gave my hand a few pecks. The beak wasn't sharp and the aim was good, so it neither hurt nor cost any fingers. Peck, peck, peck, away it ate. So I slowly reached into my bag and brought my camera round, then tried to focus. Bugger, too close, needed to use macro, which of course when you're wrangling things one-handed, is located on the other side of the camera! Bit of a juggle, food almost gone and ... fuck, hold still emu... refocus... emu spies the focus light and isn't sure about things anymore... starts to seriously consider which way is best exit... emu looks this way, and that... camera finally focuses, emu looks around a bit more, then gives one final check for more food and BAM! Perfect shot!

A little later I also managed to get close to a group of about 3 emus (Mr Emu and his two 'lady friends'), so I just hung out with them for a few minutes. Now, if you'd asked me before what noise emus made I wouldn't have been able to tell you. Might have guessed somthing like a peacock. Infact, they sound like the Road Runner. Not the meep-meep, but the thum-thum-thum. Kind of like a hollow drum sound. (Which a bit of surfing tells me is made by the females, as the males have a different sound.)

All in all, a nice day with the critters, and one evil eyed emu!

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