Mobs of emus have been wandering the streets of outback Queensland towns as the surrounding areas dry up in the drought.
As the land around Longreach dries out, emus and other native animals, such as kangaroos, have come into town looking for food and water.
Many locals say the high number of chicks is a positive sign that a good wet season is on the way, but natural historian Angus Emmott said the emus are just doing their best to survive.
"I've actually seen emus walking right up the main block of Eagle Street," Mr Emmott said.
"Stopping all the traffic, walking back and forth and up the street.
"There's free and easy access to water.
"They eat insects like grasshoppers and crickets, they also foliage and fruits — there's not much of that left outside town now."
Hoping for the best
While the female emu lays the eggs, the males incubate it and look after the young.
Often groups of fathers will band together in a form of emu daddy daycare.
But Mr Emmott does not believe the large number of chicks in this group is a sign of a good wet season on the horizon.
"There are quite a lot of species of animals that seem to know what the seasons are doing," he said.
"But my experience with emus is they lay their eggs, they have their chicks and they hope for the best."
Give way to emus
The town of Longreach has a special connection with native birds — its streets are all named after them.
When the birds come to town, locals offer them water and shelter and keep their dogs well clear — after all, an emu has every right to saunter down Emu Street uninterrupted.
But they also take care not to let them get too domesticated, or risk them moving in permanently.
Longreach Mayor Ed Warren said in 2015 the town was inundated with native animals.
"We had hundreds of kangaroos and lots of emus," Mr Warren said.
"There could be anything up to 20 or 30 emus roaming our streets looking for food.
"You know things are getting a little bit tough when they turn up in our streets."
Local drivers also know to give way to emus, although it is not an official road rule.
"I think that's just common sense," Mr Warren said
"Just give them right of way on the roads because that's the way it is."
The main advice is to keep clear, let them go about their business and simply enjoy the uniquely Australian situation.
