Wildpainter

2010-07-12T00:17:00.000-07:00

This blog has been moved:
See http://www.stephenpowell.com.au/wordpress/

2008-08-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

We left our village early in anticipation of a long day of travel ahead. The roads were full as usual. In the morning water for the day is collected by women and children from rivers, community pumps and dams that are often a long walk from their homes. Later in the day the traffic changes to people and vehicles loaded up with things for or from the markets. Heavy loads, large bags of potatoes on the head & multiple bags on bicycles. Most people walk, bicycles for those that have them & minivans and motorbikes for those with money or have further to go. We visit a market that is filled with stalls. Vegetables, spices, shoes, charcoal, cloth, clothing, ornaments every thing that the villagers need for their day to day lives. The Grey Crowned Crane had been on my wish list of birds to see. Our lunch stop provided my first and totally unexpected opportunity to get some photographs. A glance over my shoulder had me reaching for the camera. A family group was resident in the restaurants courtyard. A disappointing backdrop but you get your reference whenever and where ever it presents its self.

2008-07-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

Ibi Iwacu Village:

The village was at a situated on the border of the Volcanoes National Park. I shared a kings hut, on the left with Regan. The magnificent woven interior, warmed by the central fire and beds to either side. We spent another night singing, dancing & story telling in the main building.

Betty (center) our lovely, attentive host not only prepared the meals but made sure everything was just right during our stay.

I had anticipated the story telling sessions and reread the Killer Koala - by Kenneth Cook. I began by showing photos of my painting of a koala and as all who know me would expect, the story was accompanied by demonstrations and appropriate expressions. My choice of stories was well received by those assembled. The universal appeal of story describing a man having his genitals attacked prompted wide smiles from all those assembled. The delays created by the amusement of our translator just added to the enjoyment.

I was introduced to a group of artists: Nshmiyimana, Twaramwise & Harerimana who were drawing gorillas. They generously gave me some of their images. I offered to give a demonstration of my sketching technique the next day. I emerged from my hut to discovered them assembled 1/2 an hour early. They were very enthusiastic! Unfortunately we were leaving later that day so a single lesson was all I could offer but I am arranging for some materials and reference photos to be sent. Can now add international to my tutor credits!

The village healer and his son showed us a selection of the local medicinal herbs. Health services are limited in Rwanda and the local healers are often option for villagers. The herbs and potions they create have been in use for many generations and have untapped potential. The healer and his son are working with university staff to identify, test & document their medical potential.

2008-07-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

The Gorilla Visit - Sabyinyo Group:
We left the village for our audience with the gorillas. At the assembly point for the gorilla treks people from all over the world assembled for allocation of groups to visit. Ours was the small Sabyinyo group. 8 individuals with the largest of Rwanda's silver backs as it leader and protector. Our guide was to be the legendary Francois Bigirimana. Who had regular and close contact with Dian Fossey. His enthusiastic and graphic demonstrations of gorilla calls and munching on the various plants that the gorillas consume added greatly to our trek. Yes that is a gum tree that he's munching on. Apparently gorillas have adapted to the gums near the forest by striping their bark and eating the layer between bark and wood. What remains of Rwanda's forests is surrounded by Australian gum trees. Every village across the country has plantations which are used for building, fences and for cooking as charcoal. Whilst concerns about eucalyptus invading the pockets of remaining forests are justified With out this fast growing alternative to native trees whats left of the forests and the gorillas they support may have already been cleared.

We were briefed about our group and driven to the point closest to the last sighting. Our trek was relatively short, 2 hours form briefing to first contact. Some groups require a strenuous 5 hour walk. We made contact with the trackers and accompanied by two guides, 8 porters and 2 armed guards we climbed the rock wall that surrounds the park. We made our way through bogs & creeks surrounded by a dense bamboo forest, vines and prickly plants. Then there they were! We were directed to moved quietly forward. Our distance from the gorillas 'strictly' controlled by our guides - forward, back as circumstances evolved. the gorillas however had no such restrictions. During our audience with these wonderfully creatures I had individuals wander close enough to touch. The gorillas didn't appear threatened by our presence but did occasionally hide their faces behind their hands.
Photography was again difficult in the closed canopy with shutter speeds of 1/20 sec or slower at 1600 ISO. Any movement resulted n a blurred shot. However the memories of being in the presence of these wild and wonderful creatures will stay with me forever.

2008-07-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

Village stay at Ibi Iwacu Village - Ruhengeri
The whole village turned out for the dancing. Kids lined the fences and every laughed and clapped. The volume and technique of my two fingered whistle of appreciation grabbed every ones attention. They beamed every time I let loose and the kids fell about laughing. Later I noticed that some of the kids had perfected the technique, this prompted some concern from me about encouraging them to put their fingers in their mouths.
We were encouraged to join in! Regan joined the band and got some air with the locals. Karen, a soon to be geography teacher, in between efforts to photograph every school and teach every kid in Rwanda got in the groove.
Then there was me proving white men can't dance and that taking of your shirt in the middle of a group of young fit black men invites the obvious comparisons. We all had the greatest of fun!

2008-07-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Rwanda:
My passion for Gorillas lead me to Africa. I read 'In the Kingdom of Gorilla's and how the gorillas survival lies in balance between the needs of people and wildlife in this country. I chose Rwanda because I wanted to acknowledge and support the efforts that the Rwandans are making to shape a peaceful and happy future out of the dark days of genocide.
So those were my motives. I chose the tour from the Intrepid catalogue and I arrived with hopes that my interactions with Rwandans would be a positive experience. The out come was so much more! In the hands of the wonderful people at Eco Tours it emerged as an experience of a life time. The village stay was stunning! We were swept up into the welcoming embrace of this caring community. The dancing & story telling was the greatest of fun. They looked after us in a manner that radiated friendship and concern for our every need. I hope we managed to respond in a manner that reflected our overwhelming level of enjoyment and our appreciation of their efforts.

The tour was professionally run extremely well directed and guided by Edwin & Martha. The friendly manner, selfless motives and obvious warmth and concern for their staff and the Rwandan people was a pleasure to observe. Personally I very much enjoyed our short time together and am honored to have met them.

The village in Ruhengeri had been set up as a community based tourism enterprises. It offers an alternative source of income and food for families that relied on the forest that are now part of the ‘Parc Natonal des Volcans’. The ex poachers from a mix of tribal groups were now our hosts. We were unaware that we were to be the first group to stay in the village since its construction. The excitement an interest we generated was exhilarating. Our visits represented the culmination of planning and hard work and the first step to fulfillment of the hopes and ambitions of this community and were received as honoured guests. Our group of 5 down to earth travelers from UK, Canada, Australian and New Zealand were a bit overwhelmed by our new status. We all set about the activities and interactions with the people determined to reflected their efforts and the warmth of the welcome.

These images were taken on our first night in the village. We were seated at on end of the large central hut for a night of food, story telling, music and dancing. The food was prepared on a charcoal fire in the center of the room and lit by lanterns. Thats me in the flanked by the real dancers with Regan from NZ at the back. Kirsty a seasoned and adventurous traveler from the UK was grooving with another of our hosts. She threw her self into every second of the trip and was great fun to travel with. Some of our hosts meantime were going off at the other side of the room.

2008-07-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

Jo burg to Rwanda:
Colleen & I leave our Botswana n tour companions behind and grab a flight Maun - Jo burg. My direct flight from Jo burg to Rwanda had been canceled by the airline whilst I was in South Africa. My travel agent had been right on the ball and I was 'painlessly' rerouted through Uganda. I had checked with SA Airline about my flight before heading for Botswana so I was happy. Or so the theory goes! Unfortunately my plan of being able to accompany Colleen through the trials and tribulations of Jo burg airport was scuttled as my new flight was scheduled before hers. So she followed me to the check in counter for my flight.

Computer says no
It took nearly an hour to get my seat confirmed. The stress was building! I had a connecting flight in Uganda and on to my tour group in Rwanda. Given a boarding pass I ran thought he airport to the gate 24, listed on the pass. Wrong! Gate empty, display gate on the electronic board 5, other end of airport. More running but managed to get aboard after a hasty good by to Colleen.

The ticket issues was to follow me to Entebbe - Uganda and Kigali and return to Jo burg. Whilst paid and showed confirmed on my travel agents screen in Melbourne in Africa heavy negotiations and unraveling of airway screens took nearly an hour before each boarding.

The planned leisurely withdrawal of cash I needed for Rwanda on he way through Jo burg did not happen. So I subsequently arrived in Kigali with no cash. Needing US$50 to get a visa to leave the airport. No ATM's in arrival area or any other part of the airport for that matter. The immigration officers graciously and unexpectedly allowed me to enter Rwanda but would need to return for my passport with US$50 cash. Now with no cash I get a taxi in an unsuccessful search of an ATM! Plan B: Take me to my hotel. Long negotiation with the skeptical hotel staff and they payed the taxi. Cut a long and stressful saga short. There are no ATM's in Rwanda for foreign cards. The only bank in Kigali where I could get cash would not be open for 4 days because: closed for week end, monthly public service day and Genocide day. Tour operator trusted me to pay up US$650 for gorilla permits and I continued my travels through the trust and generosity of my fellow travelers, beginning with US$50 to get my passport. I will be forever grateful for their support.

2008-07-23T21:43:00.001-07:00

More of the 19th in Moremi.
Just some random sightings. You spot one giraffe and others just magically appear. Heads pop up or your eyes just separate them from the undergrowth.

Hippos with their gatherings of Oxpeckers display their full bulk when out of the water. This one amused me by just testing the air for our scent. The mouth and teeth a reminder of the danger of getting in their way.

As with all three leopards I saw on this trip light was failing Camera at 1600ISO shutter speed 1/40 sec & zoom at max 400. Images not first class but the experience magic.

And one more close encounter with an elephant.

2008-07-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

19th June Moremi Game Reserve:

Sitting close to a pride of lions and with various size cubs clambering randomly over lionesses. Cubs feeding or attempting to as they moved amongst the prospective mums and aunties. Pleading cries and nuzzling prompting snarls and bared teeth. But persistence had its reward in a tangle of bodies. Just another day in the life of a wildlife artist!

2008-07-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

18th June Moremi Game Reserve:
Moremi served up more species that were new to me and non stop passing parade of creatures now familiar but just as exciting. The Saddle-billed stork never ceased to impress. Red-billed Francolin, Kori Bustard, Crested Barbet, Green Wood-Hoopoe just some of the birds observed. Lions were not always ambivalent to our attentions!

2008-07-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

17 th June Moremi Game Reserve
This is the Roller shot that I nearly nailed, lost by a beak- next time! Immature Great white Pelican, Grey Heron, African Darter, Yellow-billed Stork, Pink-backed Pelican & Wattled Crane. How close are the animals when I photograph them? Some too fare away to get great shots but are great for reminders of what I saw. The lions mouth gives some indication of just how close some animals do get. Some too close to focus <1.5mt. Some close enough to check mouth hygiene!!!

2008-07-10T00:59:00.000-07:00

15& 16th June Chobe:
Giraffe by the score and more! Lilac-breasted Rollers seemed to be everywhere. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl and could not resist adding one more
Bateleur.

2008-07-10T00:46:00.001-07:00

14/6 More of Chobe!
Lions, Sable Antelope Kudu and Impala. We were never sure what was around the next bend or bush.

2008-07-09T20:34:00.001-07:00

Even more of Chobe:
Bradfords and Red-billed Hornbill, Bat-Eared Fox, Greater Blue-eared Starling. My list of birds and animals sighted ballooned in Chobe. This African Fish Eagle posed for pictures between regular flights to check for fish. The boat was moved to get a shot against the sun. the image below was he result. To get photos with that something special you must anticipate shots and push the limits of your camera. Drop in for more of Chobe when I get some time to update.

2008-07-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

13/6 More of Chobe National Park
We took a boat ride on the Chobe river which forms the border with Namibia. Two herds of about 30 elephants each decided to swim to Namibia. These groups included huge bulls down to very young babies. The bulls walking and the rest snorkeling their way across. They emerged in to the light of a setting sun lit up like ebony. The wild life was used to boats, allowing us to get very close.

2008-07-08T23:54:00.000-07:00

13/6 Now for Chobe National Park
Our hotel room for the night backed on to the Zambezi river. Only about a kilometer from the falls. A river boat called the African Queen mored close by.
We leave early for the Zambian border and back into Botswana. Our vehicle for the Botswana n trip matches the rest of the african trip. An open truck, great for grabbing photos but a bit breezy fro 10 hr drives on the open road. The border crossing is via ferry over the Zambezi river. We drive past a kilometer of trucks on both sides of he road but have only a few cars ahead of us. The ferry takes one truck and two cars. We wait less than an hour they can be there for a month! Colleen contemplating the possible microbial content of an ice cream.
We had to wait for a while on the Botswana n side of the river. I stepped to the right side of the road in search of birds. Fortunately a local pointed out that I was in Zimbabwe and could get locked up for taking photos. I quickly stepped back to the Botswana n side of the border.
Chobe was touted as one of Africa's greatest wildlife areas and it didn't let us down. I even found and angle that made this Marabou stork look good. Buffalo formed large herds. We had been warned that they are one of the most dangerous creatures in Africa, so toilet visits were 'interesting' when 200+ grazed within 50 meters of our bush camp. How close does the wildlife get? Well this shot of the elephant eye is a bit out of focus because my lens will only focus to 1.6 mt.

2008-07-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

Back in Oz: but the blog must go on.
My best intentions were not enough when it came to finding internet access and the opportunity to add updates. However the belated additions to the trip blog will be worth checking on.

12/6/08 We travelled from the house boat, through Namibia to Zambia and the Victoria Falls. A long and uneventful but the falls were worth the drive. I assembled a series of shots to create the top image. Even with a wide angle lens the scale can’t be captured in one shot. The view from helicopter allowed us to understand how the falls were formed. The falls are 1.5 ks long and the red line shows where we walked. We had been warned that the falls are often hidden by spray and mist. Even a tour guide told us he had never actually seen the falls. The luck continued, mist cleared and the full glory and grandeur of the falls was revealed. We both got drowned by dense mist and rain that went up rather than down. Colleen had a bit of a blub from just being there.

2008-06-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

Caught up with Colleen at Joberg airport and on to Maun and then the houseboat on the Okavango Delta – Botswana.
The Owl is a African Fishing Owl – another of the rare creatures I’m managing to bump into

No time or opportunity for the Internet for a while. Today we woke up on the houseboat and then travelled through Botswana., Namibia – Caprivi Strip and on to Zambia – Victoria Falls. Will fill you all in he next couple of days when we get a chance to scratch our selves. Helicopter over the falls and the Africa Queen.

Steve and Colleen

2008-06-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

An encounter with Lions:
We arrive just on dusk. There are 3 lions sleeping and relaxed. As the truck eases forward some raise their heads and scan the new arrivals. Most are disinterested and some just lay back down. One lioness stares intently and it appears to be at me!
On arrival at the research centre all volunteers receive a briefing on the threat posed by the various dangerous creatures we may encounter. It works through an extensive list from spiders with flesh eating venom, lethal snakes, a range of predators and on to elephants. Many of these have made appearances in and around the both bush camp or the research centre and neither of these are fenced. Some in unusual circumstances, like the spitting cobra that emerged from the drain hole between the feet of a volunteer! Or the pride of 5 lions that one night decided to hang out under the eaves that ‘shelter’ the doors of the volunteers sleeping quarters. The briefing on animals includes graphics of the threat level relative to distance from them. The critical distance varied but 20- 30 meters is too close and the time required to cross the critical distance was seconds. Our encounters to come in the back of a 4WD, if on foot, would put us within lethal distance.
Placing my faith in the trackers – guides assurances that they see an open 4 WD loaded with people as a single unit and too big to tackle. Lion also see us with our forward facing eyes as a fellow predator and to be respected. I’m relaxed but with an underlying unease under her gaze. But be warned its ‘very dangerous’ if you: stand up, raise your hands, move quickly, put or wave a limb out side the vehicle. Get out and you have a life expectancy of seconds. We are also told that as the sun sets the predators are bolder and have excellent night vision.
The lioness’s stare is still locked on me! As the sun sets and the light fades she stands and walks directly towards me with her eyes locked on my face. She shows no sign of fear but is very ‘interested’ in me! Maybe it’s that I’m the oldest or she has already assessed my running ability but I have no doubt I’m the centre of her attention. She gets to within 2 meters of the 4WD and turns to go around the back with one long menacing look as she passes. I turned to the back of the 4WD and leaned out in anticipation of her reappearance in the failing light. Her face eases out from immediately behind the 4WD. Our eyes meet again in locked stares. My underlying unease starts to assert its self. I have no doubts she is assessing her chances of an attack from behind. My mind retrieves the one unit – too big assurances, don’t stick body parts out of the vehicle and the they get bolder as the sun sets and try to asses the relative balance. I withdraw my head!
The seconds pass and I glance again, she has not moved and her stares assume a greater malevolence. I again with draw my head. The darkness now closes in and the other lions start to stir. Another glance behind, her yellow eyes x-ray my organs. I again withdraw. The other lions stir and move of to hunt. I look behind again. She returns my stairs, no fear just calculating her chances. The seconds pass slowly she turns to follow her companions.
I have survived our encounter due to the flimsy barrier of my lions flawed risk assessment. I have since returned to my memories of the event and contemplated what factors may have shifted the balance. Has hunting been difficult or if she was injured and desperate for food. Would this have changed the out come? Possibly. There are many 4WD’s full of tourists repeating these encounters every day and probability says the balance of each the lions calculations varies. Because of this the brain searing memory of the event will last a lifetime.

2008-06-02T02:47:00.000-07:00

Whent to a refuge - education center for wildlife.

Took 300 shots in 40 mins.

Each of these were about 1 meter away. The one winking is only 10 cm high!!!!

I'll let the images do the talking.

2008-06-02T02:38:00.001-07:00

A few more shots for the blog.

Haven't shoved any rhinos this week but have done a sleep out. 2 people at a time stood watch. Eyes and sounds all around!

Saw my first leopard this shot was in fading light 1/5 sec exposure so I'm sorry its a bit blurred. What a buzz!

Very proud of my Giant Kingfisher shot. Low light great lighting just grabbed the shot.

2008-06-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Wild painter does some painting!!!

You would think that after a 3 weeks in africa I could have accieved moe but sitting in the bush with your sketch pad can be dangerous for your health. I spent a day in a hide and in beteen 'wass that? wass that? I did get a couple done.

2008-05-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Wild painter meets preschool
Today we went to a local preschool. Some anonymous copy right infringes blatantly infringed the copyrignt of the evil empire. The kids and their teacher seemed pleased. I may or may not have made a contribution to the criminal activity.
A hand full of Koala toys and a bit of paint extracted the biggest smiles from the kids.
Pic now available as you can see. I did the Zebra, giraffe and lion. Kids thought it was great.

2008-05-26T01:39:00.000-07:00

NOW CATCH AND LOAD YOUR RHINO
We have spent a number of days trying to find the agro and randy Rhino mentioned in the last post. He escaped from an area where he was isolated from the other Rhinos, as he will kill them if he can. He was found and we did a mad cross-country dash to be part of the action.
A helicopter and a vet had been brought in to dart the Rhino. Once darted a truck with a trailer bush bashed its way to where he was. Bloody big animal as you can see. Once the trailer was ready our job was to help guide and support the groggy – sedated Rhino to the trailer. It was a little way away and trying to keep a huge lump of groggy Rhino upright was hard work and has its dangers as you can see from my battle scars. Lashed by a Rhino but I jumped back into the fray and we managed to get him onto the trailer and he was returned to his isolation.

When Colleen (My wife) read the details of the program I’m participating in she did suggest I would be like a pig in muck or something like that. Well here I am and what a blast!!!!!!

Good story hey! Unfortunately the truth was a bit less exciting. My battle scars actually came from squatting down in my bush shower, the water bag hangs very low, and as I stood up I gouged my back on the tap. The Rhino attack story had a better ring to it don’t you think?

Sunday was a free day and we travelled to the Vervet Monkey Foundation. http://www.vervet.za.org/ Very cute as you can see.

2008-05-26T01:33:00.000-07:00

FIRST FIND YOUR RHINOCEROS!
To day we tracked 3 Rhinos for a couple of ks on foot. Or should I say we walked behind Patson who is one of the 6 best trackers in Africa. It might seem simple to follow several tons of creatures through bush. But theirs and the tracks of other rhinos crisscross the area. The ground ranges from grass and scrub to dusty and stony ground. They graze in an area then head of in random directions.
It’s worth mentioning that a pissed of randy Rhino is also thundering around looking for the same group as we are but with evil intent. Lions are also in the area. In the last couple of days a guide from another group lead a group of tourists in to a pride 12 lions and cubs. They all backed of but it was a very dangerous situation.
Patson sees everything including a freshly squashed tick crushed on a branch used as a bum scratcher by one our quary. A disturbed stone or stick guided his search. The observation and interpretation skills were amazing. Patson is a wonderful guide and host. A real gentleman with a great sense of humour.
Patson has us stick our fingers in Rhino poo to feel the warmth. We were close! We have also engaged in Impala poo spitting competitions. I do wonder if the guides get together some times discussing what they managed to get the tourists to do today! I’m sure they get a good laugh. Oh yer the Rhinos, with in a few minutes Patson was pointing out the group of Rhinos. I was very impressed with his demonstration of his skills. Quite amazing.
Managed to spot the odd bird or two along the way. 73 listed.

2008-05-19T01:42:00.000-07:00

AFRICA HERE I AM!!!!!!
The last week has been full on and managed not to prepare my update for the blog. So this will be short.
On arrival in HOEDSPRUIT we were greeted at the airport by baboons on the runway and Kudu near the roads. I stayed over night on a mango farm surrounded by lush gardens full of birds. Weavers and sunbirds.
The next day I was picked up and taken to Enkosini Eco Experience – Makalarli. There is a base but I was of to bush camp. We return to base for presentations, slooooow Internet and charging and washing.
We were told to keep near the main buildings at base. It has a lawn area that animals come and eat. On the second day I spotted a bird and went to take photographs from a rough timber surrounded BBQ. The Green Wood-Hoopoes where then chased by a squirrel. Suddenly Wart hogs bolted from cover and ran past me. A Kudu bolted on the other direction. I scanned the grass. ‘Shit’ lion 20 mt from me and looking straight at me.

First mistake: Called to our guide too loud. He called me back to the main building.
Second mistake: Moved too fast. Our guide chased it away chucking rocks. Sticking close to the main buildings suddenly has greater meaning.
Now for bush camp. Tents! Hyena (Spelling??) howling and later munching – crushing bones near my tent. Tracks around the camp the next morning. Having a wiz in the middle of the night really sharpens your senses.

Bird list now over 50 animals 25 including a rarely seen Pangolin. Our guide is 30+ and had not seen one before. Many of the south Africans I've talked to haven't seen one either. I'm a bit of a lucky charm. We've been finding lots of creatures on every drive.
I’ll let some photos do the talking few of 2500 so far.

The elephant in the close up had its trunk out over the bonnet of the car. The lions got to within 3 meters of the car. More and better next week.

Steve

2008-04-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

Africa here I come!

Towards the end of 2007 a philanthropist couple, out of the blue, offered to fund a trip for me to Africa. No strings attached just because it makes them happy to support the dreams of others. I found my self momentarily dumb struck at the generosity of the offer. Those that know me would be skeptical at the even the possibility of me being stuck for words. However this was such a time. I feel a great sense of pride that these people have thought me worthy of such a gift.

My aims will be:

For my work to reflect the energy generated by life changing encounters with the creature and environment of Africa.
To share the energy, knowledge and enthusiasm generated by the trip in a manner that reflects the generosity that made it possible.

I will endeavor to document my travels on WILD PAINTER . These updates will begin in May. Frequency of updates will be determined by the availability of internet cafes.

Australian Hobby
This sketch resulted from spending some time dusting of my sketching skills in preparation for Africa.

2008-04-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

2008-02-13T04:48:00.001-08:00

Just a couple of shots from a recent search for Lyrebirds & one of 400 shots taken on a successful excursion for Australian Hobby photos.
Just for something different nothing bit me this time. At least that leaves my hands free to scratch the recent spider bites.

2008-02-13T04:25:00.000-08:00

A day in the life of a Wildlife Artist:
Grabbed this shot. Just too weird. Eurasian Coot feet.

Another reference hunt today. At some time during my bush excursion a spider slipped up my pants and fanged its way up my leg. Fortunately the elastic on my undies seemed to be a barrier to further exploration. Itching was my first symptom, followed by warm and tight. Whist this may be cheaper option than my regular spam mail offerings I am still not inclined to do it on purpose or on a regular basis. Whist not shy I was also not inclined to drop my daks in the middle of a public park and further enhance my weird painter image. The rain did not encourage further investigation either, even though the scene would have included dramatic thunder and lightning. Some concern now creeping in about holding a metal mono pod and a metal SLR during a thunderstorm. On arriving home I followed the welts up my leg with the most impressive one 3 ml black center with a lovely half centimeter scarlet surround.

Once again off to the hospital 2 hrs including chat with the doctor about starting classes, antihistamines and a warning that if I get any stranger or the bites get more angry I was to return.

The lady doctor was Indian and who initially thought she might be interested in a cheetah painting. However when she said you know the 'striped one' I figured she probably meant a tiger and promptly gave her a Bis card with the tiger on it. She confirmed my suspicion! Mental face slap to confirm I wasn’t succumbing to the venom now cursing through my veins. You know the national emblem of India!!!!! She was probably at the end of a 36hr shift.

I am pondering the my combination of multiple bites by European wasps, a flying Fox and spider venom and what form of super hero I may become. Or am I already delirious!!!!

Another day in the life of a wildlife artist.

2008-02-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

Wildlife Artist's Day

Just thought you might enjoy hearing about my day out. After one false start I headed of to the Sunshine Bird lady. Weather not looking good. Rain hammering down despite forecast the day before of local thunderstorms. Now with the added threat of huge hail and local flooding, headed off. Thought that as I was going passed the zoo, had time so I'd drop in. Weather broke so the zoo worked out had some nice 'one on ones' with the critters.

Gave my self plenty of time, picked up some lunch, arrived early so I parked up the road and admired the giant fenced of quarry surrounded by an estate of giant new Mc Mansions. Wondered about how some on in the area managed to be looking after birds of prey. Wandered down to the address and discovered no No 2 had no house.. Checked the address. Shit, Sunbury not Sunshine. Both had a ------ St for Christ sake!!!!! Headed of with more haste than desired, still had 20 min. Took every wrong exit and circled around for a while. Freeway sign producer needs flogging! Finally arrived 30 min late.

Bird were in 'very shady' wire aviaries covered with wooden slats with 50 - 60 mm gaps between. Too jumpy to enter the cages with falcons. Pointed the new camera with 70 mm wide lens at the gaps. Still got some good shots of Peregrine & Brown Falcon.

Entered the cage with the Barking Owl. Molting but still very cute woofing and growling but very friendly.

Also had 2 Flying foxes. Would you like to go in with them? Wood I !!! Entered the cage. Told very curious & don't bite. Thought of Equine virus briefly flashed the through the brain. Foxes made for bee line for me, clambered over me sniffing like a vacuum cleaners. So far so good.
Got to my hand sniff, sniff, munch! Thoughts of Equine virus returned to my brain. Rest of experience less relaxed as I tried to keep exposed skin and vital bits of face away from non biting foxes.

After a suitable period of chit chat thanked M_____ and headed of looking for a chemist shop. Aroused considerable interest when asking for some surgical wipes for a Flying fox bite. Disappointed only 1 of 6 had any idea what a Flying Fox was. Pharmacist suggested a Tetanus jab and arranged an appointment at local clinic. Aroused more interest. Assured no great problem by Dr., no rabies in Australia Equine Virus had not occur to him!!! Jabbed & cleaned. 4pm headed home. (Please see warning below) 20 ks from western ring road GRID LOCK. Next 3.5 hrs stop start 20 to 40ks. Max speed of 60 ks achieved in the tunnel for which I paid $11.30 for a couple of ks of this breathless speed.

Spent most of the time staggered by, how people put up with grid lock on a daily basis and thinking how much I valued this and the other things that 12 years of growth in the economy - population had brought. Shiiiiiiit!

Still intend to revisit M_____ and her critters. Woofing Owl made me laugh and don't want to waste a good Tetanus shot!

Just another day in the life of a Wildlife Artist.

Important Warning: Some months after the bite and due to concerns raised by the Blood bank I made inquiries with the Victorian Health department. Rabies & Australian bat lyssavirus - http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/bluebook/rabies. The Rabies virus and Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) are closely related members of the genus Lyssavirus.

Whilst infection is rare, it is fatal!

I have since received a series of 5 rabies inoculations as directed and paid for by Vic Health. Carers and others in contact should be vaccinated. Contact with bats should be avoided. Scratches and bites should be acted on immediately.

2006-10-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at posting on a blog. The image is from a recent reference gathering trip Canberra.