It's always such a treat to see one of these shy guys on a bush walk isn't it? I saw some footage on the internet recently of one mimicking all kinds of birds and sounds including car alarms; it was quite a performance!

I love the fact that these birds are so unassuming at first glance, with their brown plumage hiding in the shadows etc. and then BOOM! that incredible mating display and the 'stand up comedy' routine; completely unexpected and brilliant.

I have been planning on painting one of these magnificent Lyrebirds for some time now, and finally got the nudge I needed after spotting one on a recent walk in Leura, in Sydney's Blue Mountains. The colour palette of cognac, blues and sea greens is really pleasing as is the scale of the work, it's quite large and would make a lovely feature in your Australian home.