Zoo Boo

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5 completely random Zoobservations for Random 5 Friday

1)  The only bars I can truly get behind serve Manhattens.

2)  I have a Zoo Boo Board and a Boo Board on Pinterest.

3)  We're going to Disney's Animal Kingdom this Winter.  Yay!

4)  Zoos can make me feel blue.  Nay.

5)  I saw a Girbra at the Como Zoo.  Have you?

Neon Giraffe

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I thought my Neon Giraffe would be a good pick for the www.illustrationfriday.com theme wild.  I love to paint animals.  But my giraffe is not only a wild animal, but is painted in a wild and crazy color palette. 

Psychedelic! 

The tallest of them all...

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I've posted my Girbra many times.  But what else could I pick for the www.illustrationfriday.com  Tall theme.  As everyone knows, Girbras are shorter than Giraffes.  They inherit a zebras short legs.  But with the long neck of a Giraffe they are still pretty darn tall.  Even though I painted this back in 2009 it is still a favorite.  Have you seen a Girbra at your local Zoo?  Well, you better go check...

Florida 101

There are a lot of people I've run across in life who don't care for what Florida has to offer.  But I always say that if you don't like Florida you just aren't looking hard enough.  We love the white sand beaches, peaceful Cypress trails and abundant Winter wild life.  The first shot is one of our favorite parks in Naples.  We always try to walk and enjoy a few picnics here.  Sungren park

The view at Naples beach. Or I should say one view of thousands.

I had a visitor below my beach chair.

I was sitting on a bench in the heart of Corkscrew Swamp and look who snuck up behind me.

An Egret wading in the swamp. 

A curious Owl.

A maze of gulls.  Or amazing gulls!

Butterflies fluttered at the Rookery Swamp Trail.

And turtles sunned themselves.

Weird colored sea birds at Lover's key.

We threw this live shell back after a photo op.

Feeding Giraffes at the Naple's Zoo is not only for the youngsters.  Florida.  It's what's for Winter!

P.S.  This FLA post has been simmering in my drafts bin for quite awhile.  It is going to be 100 degrees in Minnesota today.  Hotter than a Florida swamp in Summer! For more photos visit the Sunday Best blog hop!

Stripes

This is just a little something striped and spotted I painted back in 2007. Or was it 2010. Oh, how could I forget the MNSCBWI Zoo Day of 2009. Especially since the monkey is waving it right in front of me. I've grown a lot as an artist in the last few years. But my Girbra stands the test of time. I still love him and wouldn't change a thing. And my weird 1/2 breed with the handy tongue is my entry for www.illustrationfriday.com

Safari

I've never been on a Safari. But if and when I do I hope to spot a Girbra. Actually I hope to spot more than one. We want them to reproduce after all.

I'm sure http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ will be a virtual Zoo this week. One of my favorite illustrations called Neon Giraffe is very sad that I did not choose him for my Safari post. Oh well, can't please everyone.

I just did a spell check. Girbra was highlighted. For heaven's sake! Clearly Girbras are real and I spelled it correctly. What do they know.

Girbra

The SCBWI had a field trip to the Como Zoo last weekend. You can imagine my surprise when this Girbra showed up. A completely new species without any hoopla or publicity. Alert the media! (or maybe an art director...inside joke) But I suppose I should provide full disclosure. Apparently I'm the only one who actually saw the Girbra that day. I tried to ask one of the Zoo keepers about the Girbra and they blew me off. They said they were about to do one of their "Seal" shows and were too busy for silly questions. Another employee only had time for a, "No comment" They ask for a $2.00 donation to get into Como Zoo. I can't help but think that if they had Girbra shows, people might leave twice that in the donation box. Something to think (or laugh) about!

Backyard Jungle

This is my Reflections entry. See the post below this one for further details and photos. This painting is a scan from a color copy. Whew...complicated! Plus the original scan had a hard time with the metallic paints I used. So I guess my point is the quality is a little removed from my original. The poem that was the basis of the illustration told the story of a boy dreaming and having far flung adventures. All from the safety of his own backyard.