Pink-breasted galahs take flight from a solitary tree in the Strzelecki desert of Australia in this stunning display captured by artist and photographer Christian Spencer. The photograph, reminiscent of a map of Australia, is featured in Spencer’s new book Birds: Poetry in the Sky, which showcases fleeting moments captured in an artistic manner, preserved forever.
The galah, scientifically known as Eolophus roseicapilla, is commonly referred to as the pink and grey cockatoo or rose-breasted cockatoo, easily identifiable by its unique plumage. These highly social birds can be found in flocks of up to 1000 individuals and are a common sight in their natural habitat, Australia.
These specific galahs are taking flight after quenching their thirst from the water accumulated at the base of the tree. Spencer stumbled upon this spectacular scene while driving and managed to capture the moment by approaching the birds slowly; an opportunity that he believes was destined. Originally intending to paint this sight, he chose to leave it as a photograph, as he felt it couldn’t be improved upon.
“It’s amazing how something as small as birds can captivate us in such a profound way,” he says. “The more we understand about the natural history of each species, the deeper our fascination and curiosity become.”
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