Inspiration: As an artist and admirer of Australian wildlife, I have had the opportunity to experience several raptor species up close. I am continually impressed by their abilities and behaviours. Most amazing is to see them soaring through the sky! Their grace and agility in the air is always mesmerising.

I was fortunate enough to see a small group of Black Kites above the main road heading out of Wangaratta and I happened to have my camera in the car! It was a true delight to capture this one banking around as it surveyed the ground.

Although native to Australia, the Black Kite is also found across many other continents and considered to be the most abundant bird of prey in the world.  Most at home in the skies, they soar effortlessly while patrolling for available food.

They are one of the few raptor species which will gather in flocks that seize upon opportunities to feed where abundant sources are available. Black Kites have been seen during locust swarming. Being attracted to fire, they have recognised that escaping prey is one such occurrence. They will also scavenge the carrion left as a result. 

This piece forms part of a themed collection that is focused on protected, threatened, and endangered Australian species. Through the expansion of European settlement, many species have been displaced by human encroachment, changing fire patterns, victims of predation, or have been exposed to disease. Raising awareness remains as the most significant challenge in the effort to reduce these possible outcomes. These represent the absence of the existence of wildlife in their natural environments.

This series has specifically utilised heat, flame, and soot to achieve the varying golden browns and charcoal greys present in the finished artwork.