[art] Cassowary as Totem

[moonvoice]

Cassowary has come to say:
'Don't fuck with me.'
No seriously.
They've killed people!
They are the BAMF of the bird world.


Cassowary as Totem - Pre-Colouring

Comments

[paleo]

Not quite a Terrorbird but friggin' close!

[moonvoice]

I heart cassowaries. I think I'd heart terrorbirds too. From a safe distance, of course.

[white_rabbit]

Holy SHIT! What a BADASS.

[moonvoice]

They seriously are!

[burningbright]

SCARY DINO BIRD.

It has a deceptively friendly look in its eye. BUT I AM NOT FOOLED. It's just trying to get people to come close so it can EAT THEIR FACES.

[burningbright]

(is it weird that cassowarys--cassowaries--eh, scary dino birds- scare the fuck out of me? they always have. every time I see them at the zoo, it's all "AGH SCARY BURD I STAY AWAY". and they pace-pace-pace like they're hunting, and stare at you like they want to eat you.)

[white_rabbit]

I see pictures like this and I'm inclined to be scared with you. O_O

[moonvoice]

Also, I think it's a natural instinct to be scared of birds like this. I'm not scared of them (I respect them healthfully, and I'd be wary/worried/flat-out-really-concerned in close quarters with one), but geez, I can understand it. They do pace, and stare.

Though I did see some babies at the wildlife park last year and they were CUUUUUUUTE. Too young to be 'ZOMG KILL YOU' yet.

[moonvoice]

Oh seriously, if you ever see them in wildlife parks, they truly assess you in a scary way. I once had one come flying up to a fence and kick at me, a keeper nearby said; 'oh don't worry, it's only half-hearted, he didn't mean it.' And I was like 'oh really?' And then the keeper paused and said; 'but he can still break your legs with a kick like that.'

I mean; ffffffffffffff...

[silverjackal]

BAMF is an understatement! Even in black and white I can see the assessment in that eye... :D

[moonvoice]

I really do have a soft-spot in my heart for cassowaries. Not that I would you know...approach them in the wild or anything, but I just have this fierce respect and love for them. But they do assess, even in zoos and wildlife parks they never stop giving you that look.

[outlineofash]

LOVE the expression. The attitude comes off in waves. :D

[moonvoice]

Thanks! :D

[ariestess]

Oh wow! This is neat!

And on a side note, I have just NOW realized that the guardian birds in Fern Gully are Cassowaries. *facepalm*

[moonvoice]

Hee! :D Cassowaries at least get some filmic fame, they're actually too awesome to have been in many other films. ;)

[ariestess]

I mean, they have such a tiny part in that movie, but still... I FINALLY was able to identify them. LOL!

[nadiabunny]

DO NOT WANT.

It looks like it wants me to walk away so it can attack me from behind! At the same time it's smirking! It's all like, "Yeah I'm that cooooo-."

[moonvoice]

It looks like it wants me to walk away so it can attack me from behind!

It's saying; 'do it, dooo iiiit, walk away, that's right, I won't hurt you, I pro-I LIED!!! BAHAHAHAHA!'

[lifedominant]

For some reason, I'm not intimidated by this bird. Considering the other reactions, I wonder why...?

[moonvoice]

Maybe because you've never met one? I don't know, I think biologically it's more appropriate that they do set off the fear instincts, they've been killing people for a long, long time. And as a totem, they're not 'gentle' animals in the slightest. But they are epically awesome.

[lifedominant]

'Guess so. I think cassowaries were one of those birds I learned about when young, and haven't heard about for years. I can understand some reason for caution though. Anything with claws that long and legs that diesel needs a wide berth. I know ostriches and emus, and those are some strong birds. I guess my instinctual reaction to that look in its eye is the assess it right back.

It does have a hunter's gaze about it...It's hiding something from me.. *gets suspicious*

[gone_fishing]

Damn, that's a scary dino-bird. XD

[moonvoice]

Yay dino-birds with casques!

[ex_wolfborn415]

I love the bird's expression. Aware of the bad-assery? OH YES!

[moonvoice]

They are aware of their own BAMFness. They totally, totally are.

[psychrobia149]

Ahhh....Cassowary, I love love love you. You used to scare the crap out of me too, but not anymore. Anymore, I have an original Pia depiction of you hanging on my wall, and you are awesomeness. I look at you often, and I feel strengthened and empowered by your presence.

You awesome Dino Bird you...with your long eyelashes, and your 'dare you to fuck with me look'. *mad loves* :)

[moonvoice]

I love the original so much I kept the composition; I'm glad it's in your home. :) I'm still not exactly sure if I'm going to keep the colour scheme, I'm tempted to, because it's so powerful. But I think Cassowary has a deep powerful connection to rainforest greens too... so we'll see!

I love them. I'd be deeply respectful (aka frightened of them) in person, but... I do love them.