Seasonal Almanac
« previous :: next »Limit of heat: raptor sacrifices birds (5 of 5)
February 24th, 2009
As I was leaving work today, I saw a pair of crested pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) wandering aimlessly in the carpark about 300 metres in front of me. This native species is common in wooded grasslands throughout the Australian mainland. The campus environment had a mixture of open grass as well as stands of trees, bushes and ponds, making it very inviting for many species of birds reside here. I was stalking the birds with my camera but before I got close enough they took off.
March 15th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
The bird in flight is such a good shot though! The pigeon is camoflaged perfectly for the carpark – stippled grey with white lines.
March 16th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
It is, isn’t it. I think the photograph also brings out the unexpected aesthetics of the carpark with its lines and large dots. As you know, the bitumen and white lines make for some perfect abstract video (and may be hand-made films).
I have been teaching an experimental film and video unit and students make the good-old hand-made films for their first project. I always show them your film, Map#3, and Martin’s At No Time in the first class.
I think pigeons somehow seem to make a good subject for experimental films/ videos…