Wedge-Tailed Eagle
Julie Haddrick 2005
244 x 172 cm
96 X 68 INCHES
In
pre Christian cultures, people were convinced that eagles flew into the
sun in order to find new life and strength in their wings. Hence the eagle
became a symbol for either life in Christ or for a Christian persons’
ascension. As eagles take their young to the sun for fresh vistas of perception
and understanding, so the eagle became a symbol for contemplation and
discovery of the mysteries of God.
The Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax is an impressive and powerful bird,
being Australia's largest bird of prey (and one of the biggest eagles
in the world with wingspans of up to 2.3 metres) From1800, recordings
were made in NSW about the large, wedge tailed eagle, initially named
the ‘Mountain Eagle’, that was big enough to carry off a medium
sized kangaroo. It was captured and shipped back to the United Kingdom
for further botanical research.
Liking a solitary habitat, in most parts of the continent, they choose
rural settings. Eagles enjoy plentiful food supplies of small animals
like rabbits, lizards, possums, wallabies and road kill. The eagle is
known for flying with long and graceful movements, gliding and rolling
in air thermals and soaring to great heights above mountain ranges. I
have depicted here in the third panel, the eagle silhouettes, with white
thermal paths as they glide, soar and, when prey has been spotted, to
dive swiftly and silently from great heights. Eagles will hunt in pairs
if killing larger animals like wallabies. [You may find wallabies hidden
in the quilting with “Black boys”] Eagles have miraculous
vision, which is where the term “Eagle eyed” is derived. They
can see a rabbit 2 kilometres away with eyes that have two lenses that
can operate independently of each other. This binocular vision enables
precise judgement of distance and speed. Named after their wide diamond
shaped tails, they have leg feathers right down to their feet appearing
as if to be wearing baggy pants. Situated here, the eagle has a commanding
view from the Aroona Valley across to the northern rim of Wilpena Pound
in the Flinders Ranges. Eagles mate and nest for life and as illustrated
in this quilt design, make high and strong nests in inaccessible places,
predominantly from large sticks that are then lined with fresh green leaves.
Bushwalker Peter Smith is hidden in the scrub and was the photograph that
captured this massive nest. Situated with a commanding view of the countryside,
older nests can be up to 2 metres wide with years of debris accumulating
beneath these structures. Breeding annually in winter, one to three eggs
are laid, with both parents tending the nest and their young. The stronger
chick may dominate the nest, eating more and even killing the siblings
if threatened. Popular now as a protected species, they were hunted and
killed by farmers who believed they killed lambs and small animals. As
a keenly territorial bird, they have been known to attack perceived intruders
like model airplanes, hang gliders, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter.
Look closely to find different types of eagle feathers in the quilting
as well as a dragon lizard and mice
Adelaide Quilt Show 2005 2nd place
Sydney Quilt Show 2006 2nd place