A pair of Topknot Pigeons blundered onto the palm tree outside my office yesterday afternoon. They flapped about, at times hanging awkwardly upside down, and managed to frighten away a pair of Wompoo Pigeons that had just arrived just before them. The Topknot pigeons support amazing rocker hairdos; a grey Elvis bouffant at the front and Bob Marley dreadlocks down the back. I took a few quick pics before the Rainbow larrikins, (sorry… Lorikeets) let out an alarm call and everyone vacated the place.
Dear Jenny, I came across your amazing photo of the Topknot Pigeon. I am an occasional artist and, on a recent visit to Lamington National Park, saw an inspirational view of Topknots eating Ficus Platypoda. Now I want to do a watercolour of these two elements together – the Topknot and the Ficus. I have no photos of my own and was wondering if you could advise me how I ought to approach someone such as yourself on using photos as part of a composition for painting. I would not be doing a realistic, straight rendering of the photo. It would be a layered, more textured effect. Can I apply to you for source/resource material and can I get your written permission? In any case, I would appreciate your advice. Many thanks, Laura Phillips