Elsy Menko – Nature #6
Birds of Africa – Lilac breasted roller
Seeing this lilac breasted roller/coracias caudatus perched high on a tree in Tanzania took my breath away. The many colors are amazing, green, lilac, turquoise and bright blue. It is an African bird of the roller family and is widely distributed in Eastern and Southern Africa, most abundant in Kenya. They live in open savannah habitats with scattered trees and shrubs, as they require higher perches for feeding and nesting. In African culture it is considered the bird of peace. They hold a depth of tradition and folklore in many cultures. Pictured here is an adult bird recognizable by its long tail streamer of about 8-9 cm.
The original picture shows trees in a far away background and the bird and some vegetation in the foreground. That background required four layers of tule to create a sense of distance. The bird and vegetation were then placed on top of the tule.
Cotton fabrics, tule, fusing, free machine embroidery
Detail view:
Original photo:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
This is a great piece of work, I really like the colour palette and you have managed the feeling of distance really well. Great work.
What a delightful bird, and as Caro has this is a great piece of work and you should be commended on your attention to detail. Bravo
What a beautiful bird! I love how you made his feathers looking almost real, bravo!
This scene is lovely ! how clever to place the bird and vegetation on several layers of tulle to incease the sense of distance !
I like very much. The feathers and the stitching , like the colors and the silence around the bird. charming
I like how you did the background and the bird is amazing. Beautiful!!!
the slightly out of focus background greatly highlights the bird, whose embroidered elements are beautifully executed. Very nice!
A beautiful image of a lovely bird. The techniques you have used really create the impression of perspective and also detail in the bird’s plumage.
What a beautiful bird and your representation matches its beauty. The layers of tulle give a great feeling of depth to the background. Lovely stitching
What a wonderful bird! Perfect transposition of the photo into a magnificent quilt. Your attention to detail is commendable and you have captured the depth very well. Bravo!
What a colorful and well executed bird! With your fabric choices you created depth and texture to the bird as well as the background. Lovely end to your series, well done!
I love the way you approached the background, it is very effective and doesn’t take over the bird. The bird is so lovely. Beautiful technique and attention to details. Bravo!
Awesome piece that took my breath away. What a great idea to use four layers of tule to get the diffuse background. In this way the beautiful executed bird stands out wonderfully against this layered background.