Paradise Riflebirds are one of my favourite Australian birds being one of the 4 species of Birds Of Paradise in the country. Over the last 16 years I have been very fortunate, in that I have been able to watch, listen and study these birds from the comfort of my own home. It is apparent to me that from a very early age these young birds are driven to perform the dance. The dance of course is part of the mature bird’s mating ritual and the best dancer usually gets the girl, but not always. Watching the antics of the immature males practising the dance is truly an amazing experience. At times I have witnessed as many as 6 young birds on the same branch and all of them trying to perform the dance at once. So by the time they transform into their adult plumage approximately 4-5 years they are very practised at it.

Having done a number of finished drawings and studies of the females, immature males and adult males ‘Salute To The Sun’ an immature male is one of my personal favourites. Below is a series of scans of the drawing as it progressed through to the final work. Happily before it sold it won a peoples choice award at a local art exhibition. Fine prints of this work are available on 100% rag paper as a limited edition print run of 200.