Description
‘Summer Calls: Wompoo fruit-dove, Ptilinopus magnificus’ by artist/author Tina Wilson
Limited Edition Print: Watercolour painting on Arches Aquarelle
The Wompoo fruit-dove is a large vibrant bird whose distinctive call can be heard throughout the Northern Rivers rainforest region. Despite its striking colours, its plumage somehow manages to disappear amongst the rainforest canopy, making it difficult to spot. I wanted to capture the stillness that I feel when observing these beautiful birds amongst the trees.
Summer Calls
Summer
Booms through the forest
“Wom … poo!”
Brilliant yellow
And bright alizarin-crimson
Hides
Amongst a thousand shades of green
Summer
An acrobatic dance amongst leaves
Draws me closer
Plop!
Deep purple figs fall
Onto leaves
Decomposing and brown
Summer
And the boldest blue
Flashes through the mighty fig’s leaves.
I stare
In wonder
At a magnificent pair
Oblivious to my needs
Summer
Vivid feathers fluff and flume
Heads bow
Like the low branches where
Twigs are woven
Into an awaiting home.
Summer
And new life begins
Poem by Tina Wilson
Original artwork purchased for the Kingscliff Hospital palliative care ward.
