$7,875.00
Peregrine and Sea Cliffs Original Acrylic on Board 60cm x 75cm
Peter’s Inspiration: “Peregrine falcons are spectacular birds of prey, powerful hunters that specialise in catching birds. They are probably the fastest birds in the world, timed at over 300km/hour as they stoop (dive) on their prey. It is always a thrill to see a hunting Peregrine, but especially in open wild habitats such as the sea cliffs along the Central Coast of NSW, the inspiration for this painting. They often seem unafraid of people and will fly low overhead, screaming, if walkers get too close to their cliff nest sites. Living in Newcastle has given me the chance to watch these coastal Peregrines regularly.
For at least 4000 years Peregrines have been valued for falconry, originally as a way of catching food and later for sport, since their hunting flight is so exciting to watch. Last century, especially in the 1960s, Peregrine numbers fell steeply due to side-effects of broadscale insecticide use – traces of insecticides in their prey accumulated in many predatory birds to the point of affecting egg production. Conservation efforts including restricting use of some insecticides has since allowed Peregrine numbers to rebound. Peregrines in Australia have adapted to living close to people, sometimes even nesting on tall buildings which they regard as convenient cliffs. Cities provide a supply of prey, especially urban bird species such as Feral Pigeons, Lorikeets and Cockatoos”.
Original painting by Peter Marsack
In stock
