Cania Gorge, a valuable remnant of the Brigalow Belt natural region, truely is a place full of wonder. Bursting with more than 150 types of plant community, one could spend a week exploring and exclaiming at the majestic forest, the elegant grasses and the delicate ferns and mosses that frame walls of colourful, dripping rocks. The gorge holds a special place in my heart, as the first week-long camping trip my husband and I shared together. One of the most magical aspects of this incredible place is the fauna that this diverse environment houses. Lorikeets, king parrots, galahs and cockatoos can be found resting on the arm of a camp chair, or balancing on a tent rope in the early morning - close enough to touch. Kangaroos and their little ones bound through the campsite in the dusky light of the early evening as campfires wink into existence and fill the air with that familiar, smoky scent of camping.
The boldness of these creatures is beautiful in itself. In particular, the proud confidence of the pelican contributes a significant part of his magnificence. This scene was painted from one of the days my husband and I were exploring Cania Lake by kayak. A flock of these spectacular birds perched sunning themselves on the rocky shore. We decided to see how close we could get before they flew off. Slowly, one by one, as we inched closer, the wary ones took flight, beating their powerful wings in an effort to lift their weight up into the sky. But this one remained, proudly eyeing us off, completely unafraid. This piece captures the majestic views of the iconic gorge, the bright blue Queensland sky reflecting off the water, and this striking creature lifting his head high. This piece celebrates the beauty and diversity of the world our God has created, and the splendour of His creatures, proud and confident just the way God designed them.