Friday, 29 November 2024

Emus, Northern Territory, Australia

 On one of our travels up the middle of Australia we stopped into a place for the night as did many others travelling in caravans and or motorhomes.  The people that own the property share a large piece of their land for we Travellers to stay in or on.  There is no power, but water is available which is bore water.

Most of us were preparing or thinking of getting our evening meal when I looked out the door of our caravan and saw this thing realizing it was a tame emu sticky beaking at the door of the motor home of these people in the photo.  I'd never seen an Emu close up.  I'm aware they can get vicious and use their claws to their advantage, I was careful.



79 comments:

  1. oh wow dear Dear Margaret despite the fear you could get few very fine photos of the emu :)

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  2. OMG amazing bird thanks for share your experience

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  3. Margaret, despite the fright, an experience you will not forget. It resembles the rhea of our pampas.

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    1. I have never forgotten it, Norma. The Emu is a distant relative of a rhea, so I read.

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  4. They are big, powerful and beautiful birds. Years back I saw one eat a mans watch. He was barbecuing. Attracted by the shine I suppose the emu pecked at his wrist. He drew his arm back quickly and the emu was left with the watch in its beak. One swallow and it was gone...

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    1. Oh gosh EC, I can believe that interesting tale. I wouldn't want one following me too far or hanging around.

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  5. What a pleasant surprise to come across this big bird.

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    1. It sure was a big surprise and they are protected here in Australia.

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  6. Good old emu. I haven't seen one for years.

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    1. I haven't seen one close up since that time but have seen from a distance but not in Tasmania.

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  7. It resembles a creature from the depths of time!

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    1. It does David. They have been around for approx. 15 million years.

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  8. Wanting human food, no doubt. You captured it nicely.

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  9. Take care - they can rip you to bits!
    When we lived in the country at little ole Boomi, we had a pet baby which we found
    on the road - that was the black soil bog roads when wet.
    It was wonderful but when it grew it had to go. Much wailing from we four kids.
    That sure is a big fellow and just look at the size of its feet!!!!

    Terrigal Weather report - RAIN!!!!!! and cold - c'mon summer!
    Cheers
    Coin

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    1. They do have big feet and mighty claws, Colin. You all became attached to the emu of course as it was a pet - but too big to keep and they are protected.
      We had rain, a good rain thank goodness.

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  10. Oh WOW!
    You got some great pictures, such a big bird.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks Jan, the bird was upon me before I realized. I soon got into the caravan when I put the camera down.

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  11. What a cool bird! Have never seen one over here, let alone being so close to one.

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    1. The emu is native to Australia, Angie and unless there is one in a zoo somewhere which is possible. That was my first and last time I've been close to one.

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  12. That's a great close-up. I remember emus hanging around the carpark of a small supermarket when we lived on an Army base in Victoria many years ago, they'd become used to people throwing food for them and when my son walked across to the shop without feeding them, one chased him and pecked the top of his head. I was very upset as he was only six at the time and could have been badly hurt.

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    1. O my, your young son was lucky as you just don't know with emu's or any wild creature for that matter, they are a big bird.

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  13. I think this emu was looking for food and that's why it came so close to the camper, these are beautiful pictures.
    I wish you a good weekend.
    Greetings Irma

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  14. He looks like a charming fellow--- That helps with getting handouts.

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    1. Oh yes you are correct on a charming fellow, most animals are if they want something to eat and trust a human to a degree.

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  15. How lucky you are to see a big and beautiful bird, dear Margaret.. Thanks for describing about emu that sound new for me...It's interesting moment....Greetings...

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    1. Wel I am glad you found it interesting, Mbul. Some people I guess have never seen one and I expect many Australians haven't in reality either.

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  16. Oh, he was used to getting a bite... I would have stayed away too.
    You never know.
    Kind regards to you.

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    1. Must have been used to getting something to eat from travellers, they know.

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  17. When my mum and her sisters all had lots of children in the 1950s but not much money, we rented caravans every year and spent a fortnight near the coast. Your photos remind me of the casual fun 😊

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    1. Oh Hels, how lovely to have such beautiful memories of your holidays and I bet you all had the greatest of times.

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  18. It must have been interesting to see the Emu from a safe distance especially as they have a reputation for being vicious.

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    1. I was surprised to see one so close, Rosemary but pleased.

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  19. I was fortunate to see wild emus on my first visit to Australia. Here they are now quite commonly farmed for their meat.

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    1. That is interesting and I wonder what their meat is like, must look it up. Emu's are protected here in Australia.

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    2. It is bloody horrible but at top restaurants you will find it on the menu
      and the cost horrendous!
      Yuck !
      Colin

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  20. Le hiciste unas buenas fotografías, me ha gustado verlo. Besos.

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  21. A natureza em liberdade. Trata-se de uma ave corredora da família do avestruz.
    Bom fim de semana.
    Abraço de amizade.
    Juvenal Nunes

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  22. What a fascinating encounter! It must have been quite the surprise to see a tame emu peering into a motorhome. I can only imagine how curious and bold it was, especially since emus are known for their inquisitive nature.

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    1. It was rather fascinating and a surprise, the last creature I expected to see up close and personal, Veronica, but a delight to see.

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  23. Oh how fun! Yes, they can be dangerous but keeping your distance helps...Love the photos!
    hugs
    Donna

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  24. What an unexpected encounter with an emu! It must have been quite the experience to see one up close, especially in such a remote setting. I can imagine the mix of awe and caution as you admired the emu from a safe distance. Nature always finds a way to surprise us! I just shared a blog post, let me know what you think!

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    1. Everyone parked for the night were surprised to see the emu rather tame and walking through and in-between the motorhomes and caravans.

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  25. I have seen emus before but never had one come up so close, that's awesome

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    1. It was good Jo-Anne. I had seen them from a distance like you.

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  26. Che emozione vedere un emu dal vivo
    Che meraviglia

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    1. It sure was a thrill only ever having seen them from a distance before.

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  27. Hello, Margaret. Emus are such curious birds...and very interesting birds. Through the years I had a couple of interesting "run-ins' with them...humorous meetings. :)

    I was thinking of you this afternoon while watching "Weekender" on Ch. 7...the half hour show was about beautiful Tasmania. The second part of the show is on next Sunday afternoon. It was fabulous. So beautiful, and so interesting Tassie is.

    Take good care. :)

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    1. Well hope you stayed safe and didn't get hurt with your run-ins, Lee.
      I'll look on 7+ as I might we able to watch the Weekender - thank you for telling me. I looked as you had me curious. There are 4 Weekender programs there to watch but not the Tasmanian one as yet - will look again later.

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    2. No, I didn't get hurt by the emu rendezvous....The first time the emus were very curious; and the second time, the emu got as much of a shock as I did! lol

      I hope you are able to get to see the Weekender programme....it is fantastic.

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    3. Yes, re Weekender, hope 7+ will put it on.

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  28. Fue avisitaros. Mucha suerte de poder verlo tan cerca.
    Buen Diciembre Margaret.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Yes he did come to visit us in the caravan park area, he poked his nose in many places whilst there, Laura.
      Thank you and you too.

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  29. Replies
    1. Well, you can't refuse the emu, but I don't recall us giving it anything to eat.

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  30. What fun to see an emu just walking around. I would definitely love to stay there Margaret :)

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    1. Before I forget, I loved your new Christmas poinsettia picture at the bottom of the page. Gorgeous!

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    2. And at the top. I need to relook at everything before I publish my comment. Racing brain today, lol!

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    3. You sound busy, Denise.
      Thanks re header and the poinsettias. Probably will change them before Christmas.

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  31. I have never watched an emu's face closely. It looks like that of a dinosaur. Dignity in history.

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