A Quiet Moment by Alexander Hsieh

The quiet moment I saw between my mum and the parrot reminded me that people and nature can trust each other. My mum loves birds and has always taught me to care for animals and plants. The parrot is sitting calmly because it feels safe with her, and I wanted to show that when we respect nature, nature can trust us too.

Growing up in Brisbane has helped me love nature. I often see colourful parrots, kookaburras and butterflies in parks, at school and even in our backyard. My family also enjoys walking along the Brisbane River, visiting the Botanic Gardens and watching wildlife together. These experiences have helped me notice how beautiful and important nature is.

I painted this portrait from a photograph I took earlier this year during a family day out. It reminds me that some of the best moments are the quiet ones we share with the people, animals and places we love.