A cassowary on the beach @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
I made my way to Etti Bay for one reason only. Word was out that cassowaries had been frequently spotted by the beach lately. Well, what I can I say?
Colourful appearance @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
A prehistoric flightless dinosaur strolling along tropical beaches? I just had to check it out. Going through my snapshots afterwards, a familiar and precious story materialized.
A cassowary’s Paradise @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
Etti Bay is a tiny community by the beach, holding a fair sized Caravan Park and a Surf Life Saver Club. This relatively small beach is surrounded by thick tropical rainforest, a cassowary’s Shangri-la.
More then I bargained for @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
The arena was set and I was hoping to at least catch a glimpse of this elusive and prehistoric bird. Little did I know for the show that Etti Bay had to offer on this particular afternoon. I came prepared. Or so I thought. As I turned in to the beach area, I almost turned around again. So many cars, so many people? Why are they all here? Most seem happy to picnic on the beach.
Cassowary and beach @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
But the magic words going through my head were cassowary and beach. I was determined to push my luck. Looking out for a suitable carpark, I noticed a group of people of all ages walking along the beach.
Strange behaviour @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
Phones and cameras were held up in the air as they walked the beach in zombie-like style. Hypnotized by someone or something, this stop-and-go motion was bizarre. If this behavior isn’t strange, then I don’t know what is as I looked a bit further ahead. What is the cause for this strange behavior?
Sought after objective @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
Off course! There he was.
The fellowship @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
A cassowary was roaming along the open beach, leaving a tail of people behind; The fellowship of the cassowary! It made perfectly sense now. Both parties are looking for something precious.
Where is the precious? @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
The cassowary was roaming for precious food, whilst his followers hoped to capture a precious photo.
Long term resident on this planet @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
Now I get it. Wait for me. And so it started. With camera in hand, I followed in the footsteps of this beach parade.
Party head and make-up @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
Painted like a clown with a party hat on, the theater was set. Let the show begin.
Casual and relaxed @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
This cassowary was in no hurry and casually strolled south along Etti Beach.
Is there something I can eat? @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
He was obviously hungry and stopped here and there for a delicious snack.
Overtaking in safe distance @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
This started the cassowary shuffle. One by one, me and fellow worshippers overtook the cassowary carefully in safe distance.
Cassowary shuffle @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
We then waited for him to come towards us and pass in a favorable spot. With a little luck, he would bypass us closely.
Coming closer @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
My calculations and luck were a little to accurate at times.
Close enough @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
He passed me in touching distance a few times, pumping adrenaline through my veins.
A smile while passing by @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
No aggressive behavior was indicated and it felt incredible.
Anxious moments @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
A touch of uncertainty involved this strategy.
Potentially dangerous @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
This is a wild and oversized bird, which survived the ice age.
Closing in @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
’Am I a worthy supporter’? I wondered.
Ignored and left standing @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
I don’t suppose that I was. He left me standing unnoticed.
Line up fellowers @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
How about my fellow followers? This group of kids were well directed and orientated.
Hold the line @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
Last time I saw a perfect line-up was during my air force times. Holding their arms out in full praise truly impressed the cassowary. And myself!
Uncertain but cheeky @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
Such distinction, slightly cheeky. Love the smile on the kid behind. Too cute.
No fruit loops here @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
He didn’t find any fruit loops here and moved on. Surely these kids passed the the test.
The search continues @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
With his troops assembled, this cassowary cut through scrubs to continue his fruity motive. He was hungry and he was on a mission.
Determined and cute @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
I had to admire his determining search for delicate fruits of the forest.
A substantial lack of food @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
Or anything to eat? So far, this mission wasn’t fruitful at all.
What’s that? @ Etti Bay, Tropical Northern Queensland, Australia
He looked here.
Did I overlook something? @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
And he looked there.
Too far up! @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
He stared up.
Nothing here either @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
And he searched below.
Not a fruitful experience @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
He literally rummaged everywhere he could, but no juicy fruits were found. And that’s how it all changed.
Frustrated @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
His frustration was hard to miss.
The dark force calling out @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
So far he ignored the doom and gloom calls from the two towers, but they couldn’t be rejected any longer.
Desperate measures for desperate times @ Etti Bay, Northern Tropical Queensland, Australia
That’s it!
To be continued.
Travels with Ben 