Spring 2009
A
few years ago I spotted this Emu in our woods and luckily had time to
get my camera and snap away. The first shot was from a fair distance as
I had no idea if an Emu was hazardous or not. However he seemed
basically uninterested in me as I gradually came closer getting some
nice close-up photos. Amazingly this bird is almost invisible in the
woodland background - just like a deer - until the eye suddenly spots
him. Considering that his native habitat is not of North America
temperature woodlands it is impressive how he blends into the
background. This Emu, escaped from a captive farming venture just a
mile or so away along with others, most of whom were recaptured, somehow
eluded the owner for about three years at the time the photos were
taken. His movements up and down our wooded peninsula were spotted
from time to time and would make minor local news in the county paper.
Unhappy to say, I have never seen or heard of him being seen since.
Quite likely some hunter took him down in a sporting shot, ending his
existence of living peacefully and occasionally bringing joy to people
like myself.
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