Crackle of Cockies by ALIX O'NEIL

Global warming is real. Australia’s 2020 bushfires are a frightening reminder of that fact.

Bushfires and land clearing for agriculture and housing and is taking a huge toll on wildlife habitat. Large trees with hollows are becoming scarce and are sought-after real estate (excuse the pun) for birds, gliders and possums.

I was out walking when I saw a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo land above a hollow of an old tree showing great interest, he suddenly reared back with fright! There must have been another inhabitant already in the hole.  The Cockie then started squawking & flapping his wings with much force trying to scare the dweller off. Finally, after considerable effort the cockie gives up and flies off.

I paint in watercolour as I love the honesty of this medium and have used a limited palette of Cerulean blue, Magenta & Windsor yellow. If you make a mistake there is no going back and there is no hiding our impact on the land either. The cerulean rectangles are a replica of the Australian blue sky and are photographic snaps of my memory of the Cockies’ plight to find a nesting spot. The repeated charred stark stumps of the tree are a reminder of the decimation we are inflicting on the world.