November 27, 2006
sketchin at SF zoo
Last week I went to the San Francisco Zoo for my weekly sketch-from-life trip. I haven't been there in YEARS. Every time I've been to the zoo out there by the ocean it's been overcast, but this time, even though it was cold, it was a gorgeous, clear, sunny day.
I told my mom I was going, and she asked what kind of animals I wanted to spend time drawing. I told her I was looking to draw some big weird birds. "You always want to draw big weird birds!" she said. I told her if I found some meerkats or something equally cute and cuddly I'd draw them for her.
Since I last went to the zoo, a huge "African Savannah" exhibit has been installed -- the first thing you notice when you come in the gates. It is really nicely architected, with bridges and underpasses that allow you to stare into the same enclosures from like ten different places. The first big enclosure houses zebras, kudu, oryx, giraffes, and some AWESOME big weird birds, which I started sketching immediately to warm up.
These African storks are called marabou -- sound familiar? Their feathers are used for feather boas, feathered collars, fishing flies, etc. Poor guys! My sister asked "wait, do they have to kill them for their...? oh."
Drawing in public places is funny. I like to pretend I'm not even there when other people are around (although I smile at kids) and I often get to eavesdrop on all kinds of weird comments and conversations. Sometimes what I overhear leaves me feeling depressed about humanity. The stupidest thing said in my presence at the stork enclosure:
"Daddy? What are those birds?"
"I'm not sure! I think they're pelicans." he says, not bothering to look at the SIGN about 2 feet from him... (PELICANS?!)
His kid kept calling the ostriches "emus", as well, and it was all I could do to keep myself from correcting him... but I guess that's my problem ;)
Smartest thing said in my presence (perhaps the whole day, actually):
8-10 year old boy runs up, looks at the storks, points, and tells his nanny "Those birds eat MEAT. They have bare heads." ! True! I wanted to commend him for his intelligent assessment, but he was already on to the next thing. Oh well.
After I'd warmed up sketching for a while I went to the African savannah aviary to spend some real time with big weird birds! I went in through a series of doors and came out, turned around, and saw that the roof of the small building I walked through was COVERED in some of the weirdest big birds I'd ever seen. I spent more than an hour standing in there drawing until I had to go eat.
I realized this funny stork is called the 'Open-billed stork' because the top and bottom of the beak actually curve in opposite directions, so there is a space between them. The other bird, the 'Waldrapp Ibis', was a totally freaky dinosaur-like combination of ibis and vulture, with a scaly naked red head and a big poof of black feathers coming off the back. I think it may be my new favorite weird bird.
Most hateful exchange overheard in this enclosure:
Dumbass frat boy: That bird is so fucking weird!
Dumb muffy bitch girlfriend: I *HATE* birds.
Dumbass frat boy: You do? *laughs* Why?
Dumb muffy bitch girlfriend: They're SO gross! Let's go.
(note: there were plenty of cute and pretty birds in here too, not just funny-looking ones!)
I actually spent so much time with the weird African birds I only had a couple hours left before I had to leave. I made a beeline for the South American section -- time to draw some of my favorite weird mammals!
The capybaras, who I didn't see at first, were hanging out looking EXTREMELY cool and casual, lounging in their own little carport style shade structure. (I could almost see them looking at me over their Risky Business-wayfarer-style sunglasses.) Of course these capybaras are for Mo. The anteater is for Khris (and ME)... I LOVE THEM! It was just me and the anteater for a long time in there -- he came up and snuffled his long snuffly nose right by my feet! I wanted to pet the snuffly end SO badly.
Found the meerkats in the children's zoo. It's a really awesome installation, actually. These are for mom, who is totally into "Meerkat Manor" right now.
On my way out, I determined that the zoo is free the first Wednesday of every month. I intend to go back in the next few months and install myself in the African aviary again!