Fiona Groom’s latest mural triggered more attention than anyone could have anticipated when local magpies started swooping the artist and her work.

“They swooped me but they would swoop the mural even if I wasn’t painting,” Fiona said. “It was an amazing story and very funny. I wish I’d taken video of them flying at the painting.”

Fiona said she had to leave the job for a while as the birds continued to swoop her and the mural. “It just goes to show how brave they are because the birds I was painting are huge! So much bigger than the little magpies.

“After a while they settled down. But then we faced more challenges with the heat. Then we had wind, rain and storms as well. This one was challenging.”

Fiona runs the art gallery at Yandina Historic House. “The work is inspired by the gardens around here. When I’m in my office I look out the window and I see a post and rail fence that the magpies sit on and it gave me the idea to do the painting. The animals I paint all have their own personalities.”

You can admire Fiona’s mural at Yandina Historic House & Visitor Information Centre at 3 Pioneer Road, Yandina. The Historic House and Art Gallery is Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am-2.30pm. The Museum is open Monday to Friday 10am-1pm.