Large Flying Duck Orchid, Caleana Major by Linda Bester

Features

ARTIST NOTES: Introducing an endearing Australian native orchid, scientifically known as Caleana major.

Even though this terrestrial plant is rather small, growing to a height of 18 to 40 cm tall, its common name is 'Large Flying Duck Orchid'. This is because of the existence of a smaller one, Caleana minor or 'Small Duck Orchid', which only grows 8 to 15 cm tall. The flowers of both quite obviously resemble that of a flying duck.

The Large Flying Duck Orchid can be found in parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, in eucalypt woodlands, coastal or swampy shrublands, and heathlands. It prefers to grow close to the coast, but sometimes at higher altitudes.

As with most orchids, they have a large range of threats including grazing and trampling by introduced animals, vegetation clearance, weed invasion, illegal collection and trampling by people, off-target chemical spraying, and so on.

DIMENSIONS (Height - 64.00 cm X Width - 54.00 cm )
MEDIUM ON BASE Mixed Media on Paper
GENRE Plant Life
REGISTERED NRN # 000-47467-0137-01
COPYRIGHT © Linda Bester
PRIZES AND AWARDS No Awards

 
View At Home

 
Other images
 

Artist: Linda Bester


ARTIST BIO

Linda R. Bester is a scientific illustrator, graphic designer and qualified ecologist with first class Honours in mycology. She was born in Cape Town (South Africa), but has called Australia home for much of her life. She was inspired from a very young age by Australia’s incredible organisms to follow a career in conservation and land management. 

Linda has worked as an ecologist and graphic designer for over 25 years in many formal settings including government biodiversity teams. She worked for Swinburne for almost 10 years as a qualified teacher, managing their RPL Centre and a Statewide program for Parks Victoria. For four years she assisted the University of Central Queensland with their Accident Forensics degree, and she has also worked as a Stewardship Officer with Trust for Nature, which is the only Victorian legislated entity that is authorised to create conservation covenants within the State.

Further to this, her love of Australian music has led her to apply her creativity to undertaking graphic design work for a number of renowned Australian musicians including Matt Taylor, Phil manning, The Badloves, Chain, Barry Harvey, and Jacobs Run.

In 2020, while homeschooling her two children full-time during Civid, Linda re-discovered her passion for illustrating and adopted this as her new full time career. Since this time she has taken part in many exhibitions, has sold work through many galleries, and has had her work feature on a Yellingbo olive oil bottle label, in books, on merchandise, on public signs and structures, and has won Australian and international awards.

Her work often targets threatened species with the aim of spreading awareness about their existence and the environmental threats that impact thereon. Her scientific knowledge, combined with her industry based connections to experts, allows her to maintain a high level of accuracy with regards to species morphology.

In building on her artistic and environmental pursuits Linda plans to produce a range of books, through her sole trader business ‘Moonah Press’, which focus on imparting positive and insightful messages with an environmental focus.

Some of Linda’s other artworks may be viewed here: www.instagram.com/lindarbester/


View works by Linda Bester in Yarra Valley Art Show