by Paula Peeters | May 22, 2026 | Tales of science, Wildlife illustration
Two Glossy Black-cockatoos peer down at me from a sheoak tree, both busily munching seeds from a sheoak cone held in each left foot. Gentle gurgles and chortles pass between the two – it’s a male and a female, maybe mates for many years now. A patter of sheoak cone...
by Paula Peeters | May 7, 2026 | Beechmont Nature Journal, Tales of science, Wildlife illustration
At this time of year, I see two different types of large parrots everyday. The Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo (above) and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (below). One of them eagerly gobbles down the bird seed offered by some of my neighbours. The other never visits the...
by Paula Peeters | Dec 7, 2025 | A cartoon guide to Australian Ecology, Cartoon, Tales of science
Hopping is a very energy-efficient way to move, for kangaroos. But no other medium-large mammal hops. Why? A key to hoppies: Big hoppies = Macropus, Osphranter Small bouncy hoppies = Bettongs & Potoroos Various wobbly hoppies = Notamacropus, Onychogalea, Wallabia,...
by Paula Peeters | Dec 1, 2025 | A cartoon guide to Australian Ecology, Cartoon, Tales of science
Forget about bees’ knees, what about bird knees? Bird leg anatomy is often misunderstood, but helpful to know, especially for artists. The bone names are -Thigh = FemurShin = Tibia & fibula in humans; tibiotarsus in birdsFoot = Tarsals & metatarsals in...
by Paula Peeters | Jul 16, 2025 | Free downloads and printables, Tales of science, Wildlife illustration
Carnaby’s Black-cockatoo Yay – the next ‘Tree hollows are animal homes’ design is here! Thanks to the WA State Natural Resource Management Program, the Moore Catchment Council, Eucalypt Australia and Iluka, I can now offer you a free poster and...
