Sounds of Africa

I could talk about my Africa trip to anyone willing to listen. Being an absolute lover of all animals great and small my African safari was one of the highlights of my life.
I make my living painting animals. I often spend a good amount of time before embarking on a painting doing research. I want to make sure I don't paint a bird with too many tail feathers or a whale with a overly small pectoral fin. I knew seeing the "Big Five" of Africa was going to be a treat but I received some unexpected surprises.
I never considered what a giraffe sounded like as he strolls from tree to tree. I didn't expect to be surprised at the girth of a hippo. I mean, come on, I have visited my share of natural habitat zoos. But NOTHING is the same as the roar of a lion greeting his pride in the wild. Nothing prepares you for the crashing of a HUGE bull elephant as he emerges from the brush. And yes, I may never be able to enjoy a zoo again.
My other unexpected surprise was the "little five". Of course there isn't a real little five but I was estactic to see a chameleon stroll by. The giant African land snail was beyond impressive. And the birds....oh my the birds. So much color and personality. I need to come clean and admit the fascination I had for the dung beetle. I could watch them all day. Working hard, pushing with their back legs to perfect the roundness of their poop ball. Their lady in waiting clinging to the side as he rolls it along. You really didn't dare to blink!
Well things are busy at the drawing table these days with so many mental images to get on canvas. I have a feeling my experiences from this trip will be creating ideas for many years to come.