[Art] Lilac-Breasted Roller as Totem

[moonvoice]

$85 USD
18.5 x 20.5cm (or 7.4 x 8 in)
illo's board, fineliner, aquarelle, pencil, metallic and iridescent paint







Lilac-Breasted Roller
Coracias caudatus

The lilac-breasted roller of sub-Saharan Africa and Southwest Asia, is a prettily coloured bird known for its breeding displays of aerobatic prowess. The lilac-breasted roller feeds on insects, small amphibians and reptiles. Their nests are unlined and made in tree hollows, and occasionally in empty termite mounds. The males engage in spectacular courtship flight; flying quite high before quickly diving, rocking their wings while calling loudly and abrasively. They are territorial, monogamous birds by nature. The lilac-breasted roller will take advantage of bushfires by hunting for whatever flees the fire.

As a totem

Getting things done ‘on the fly,’ multi-tasking, the element of fire, and fire magic, mental and physical acrobatics, protecting what’s yours at all costs, showing off, performing and performance, sky deities, air and wind magic and wisdom, taking advantage of crises.

Comments

[anrui-ichido.livejournal.com]

Oooh, lovely colours in this one! ^_^

[ariestess]

I like how bright and playful this one is.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

This one is my favorite of your current set. I've seen Lilac-breasted rollers in the wild, and you've caught the bird's attitude. The colours are also glorious -- I wish I could see them in person.

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

I'm honestly not familiar with this bird- I'm assuming it's a native to Australia, yes?

It's absolutely gorgeous, though. The coloring is amazing.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming it's a native to Australia, yes?

No, as it says in the description above:

"The lilac-breasted roller of sub-Saharan Africa and Southwest Asia"

We don't have rollers in Australia. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'd love to see these in the wild, they seem like fantastic birds. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

::facepalms::

That's what I get for not reading the description. Heh.

I'm having an amazingly flighty day today, apparently, lol.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

They are loud and very showy (which I suppose makes sense -- no sense in being shy with that plumage).

[firehauke.livejournal.com]

wonder what makes it a 'roller'? The diving display? must google...

Nice work - on all of the ones recently posted, as always.