Dangerous photographs
We are just before Cairns. In the morning the weather is already already hot and muggy, which is not uncustomary in this high-precipitation area, in which there are many rainforests, but also a lot of exotic animals, as for example the Cassowary - a bird similar to an ostrich, with blue and read plumage at the neck and a strange "hat" on the head. Unfortunately it is threatened by extinction, there are only about 2000 of its kind left.While we are on our way back to the main road from our sleeping place in the rainforest, we discuss about our chance to catch a glimpse of one of these birds. And - we could not believe our eyes - as we are talking about it, there appears on on the way already. Of course I don't let escape my change and make some photos straightaway.
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Slowly I approach the animal to make better photos - apparently to much, because the bird becomes visibly nervous. But instead of running away - which most animal would do - the bird comes up to us. In a brochure we read before that Cassowaries are very aggresive. In case of an attack one is supposed to go backwards without turning his back to the animal and look for shelter behind the next tree - but in my opinion the tree trunks are quite thin here and surely do not offer much protection. |
 Picture of a cassowary, made by Jaap Folmer, source: dutch Wikipedia. GNU FDL license. |
I attempt to retreat, however, that is not so simple because of the trailer at my bike. When you not steer carefully, the clutch buckles to a side and becomes disabled - and exactly that happens in my upset because I feared the attack of this almost 1.8 meters high bird.
Fortunately the cassowary has it in for Biggi
who has to push back her bike for approximately 20 meters before the bird decides to give up.And now we find out why the bird probably reacted that aggresiv, because between the bushes a small cassowary-baby appears. It still does not have such magnificently colored feathers at its neck, but however it is quite sweet and clumsy.
Leisurely the two birds continue their morning walk along the graveled road. We still wait for some time and observe the animals - now from a secure distance - but since they do not intend to leave the way again, we risk a overtaking manoeuvre - after all we don't want to wait the whole morning - with a lot of run-up, high speed and so loud yelling, that both birds are persuaded to flee to the bushes instad of attacking us.
Overjoyed to have encountered these rare animals - especially in such thrilling way - we continue our way. In the surrounding of Cairns there are not only rainforests, but also very beautiful palm beaches with delicious coconuts - and that's now the exactly perfect for breakfast!
By he way: the photos we made "at the risk of our lifes"
, unfortunately did not turn out during processing. It's a pity, but memories are really much more important than photographs.written by: Martin