📸 The Story Behind the Gang-Gang Cockatoo

Gang Gang Cockatoo

It was just a regular day at home in Queanbeyan, and my Labrador Harper was pestering me for a walk—as she often does. We live near Wright Park, and it’s not unusual to hear the Gang Gang Cockatoos flying overhead. I’ve even managed to snap a few shots of them before, but only on my phone.

This time, it was around lunchtime when we headed out across the ovals. At the top oval, there are these beautiful old gum trees, and as we walked beneath them, I heard a familiar sound: the soft crunching of nuts and the occasional thud as they hit the ground. I knew instantly—Gang Gangs were nearby.

But spotting them? That was a whole different challenge.

I scanned the trees for ages before finally catching sight of the male. His vibrant red head gave him away. I knew there had to be more, and sure enough, I eventually found the female—perfectly camouflaged among the leaves. She was so well hidden it took me a while to realise she was right there.

I rushed Harper home and grabbed my camera, hoping they’d still be there when I got back. And with a bit of luck, they were. Sitting calmly, munching away, completely unbothered by my presence.

It was also the perfect timing to test out my new Sigma 150-600mm lens. I’d been itching to see what it could do, and this moment couldn’t have been more ideal. The lens gave me the reach and clarity I needed to capture the Gang Gangs without disturbing them—especially the male, who was so relaxed he almost seemed to pose for me.

I spent over an hour with them, just watching and photographing. It was such a peaceful and special moment—being able to observe and capture an endangered species in its natural habitat, right here in our local park.

I always assumed Gang Gangs would be timid around humans, but this experience proved otherwise. It was a reminder of how lucky we are to share our space with such incredible wildlife—and how important it is to protect it.

🛒 Gang-Gang Cockatoo now Available in My Gallery

You can now purchase this special Gang Gang print directly from my online gallery. But be quick—it’s already sold out once, and I’ve had so many requests since its release.This print is more than just a photo—it’s a moment in time, a tribute to our local wildlife, and a piece of Queanbeyan you can bring into your home.