#494 In the field: Africa . . . Elephant, con't . . .

Please start this series of posts with #477

  While in Tarangire, every morning before daybreak, we were awakened with a pot of coffee brought to 

our tent and left camp for a game drive before the sun came up.  Our box breakfast and lunch were sent 

in the Land Rover which allowed us to maximize our time afield.  One morning, while we were enjoying our 

"bush breakfast", we were delighted to see a herd of elephants on a rise behind us, 

headed to our destination - the Silale Swamp.  Below, are photos that represent  unforgettable 

memories and a source of reference and experience that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Upon my return from Africa, I was overwhelmed with the urge to get my hands on clay . . . never had I experienced 

so much input from wildlife in the field.  The creative impulse was so profound that I started a sculpture of a trumpeting elephant on my first day back in the studio before the warming box had a chance to soften my clay!   It is now two months later, I continue to be inspired and in the same zone with over ten sculptures of various species in progress.  Shown below, is the first block-in of my African portfolio and a drawing from my Tanzania sketchbook.

   

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#493 In the field: Africa . . . Elephant, con't . . .

Please start this series of posts with #477

The African elephant is the largest living land mammal in existence and is endangered due to ivory poaching.
While in Africa recently, I experienced herds of the giants, roaming the savannah and scrub
wooded habitat in the Serengeti and Tarangire.  Significant  elephant populations
are confined to protected areas such as these parks and preserves.

Below, is an image of the first elephant - a giant bull - I ever saw in the wild.
This picture was taken the day after our arrival in Tanzania in the Ngorongoro Crater.
It was a life-changing event and has set the course for the rest of my life.

Below,  is a photo of a herd of African elephants in the Serengeti:
This was the first herd of the magnificent creatures I experienced  in their natural habitat . . .
I was thrilled at being able to safely get so close to the animals in the Land Rover.
Our guide explained that they, like most of the animals, had grown to understand the
vehicles in the parks and preserves were safe and were not threatened by our presence.
We relied on our knowledgable guide, however, to keep us informed by interpreting their body language.




Below, are recent photos taken at Tarangire in Tanzania.

Below, is a drawing from my Tanzania sketchbook.

Elephants are intelligent and socially complex.  The females live within a structured
group and work together to protect and raise each others' young.

The family unit is made up of several related females - sisters or daughters - and their offspring.
The oldest grandmother typically heads the group and is the matriarch . . .  
the herd relies on her experience as they move about together.  
If there is danger, the matriarch usually faces it while the 
others cluster around the young and shield them from harm.

The mature bulls live alone and wander between temporary bachelor herds . . .
they are only allowed into the female herd when it's time to breed.

Below, is an image of a big tusker in Tarangire.

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655,     Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#489 In the field: Africa . . . Hoopoe

Please start this series of posts with #477

While in Tanzania, I saw the Hoopoe bird only once,  but I knew immediately that I wanted
to include it in my African portfolio of sculpture.  I saw the bird in Tarangire and was
struck by it's brilliant orange, black, and white color and by the distinctive crown of feathers.  

Below, is a photo of the Hoopoe without it's head feathers spread and displayed.
Although I saw the bird open up and show the feathers . . .
I was so impressed by the beauty that I simply experienced the event without taking a picture!

 The Hoopoe - pronounced hoo-poo - is classified in the group with kingfishers, rollers,
and bee-eaters and there are nine recognized subspecies of the bird.

Below, is a drawing of the Hoopoe with it's crown of head feathers spread.

The colorful Hoopoe is a medium sized bird - 10 to 12 inches - with a 17 to 19 inch wingspan. 
 It has a distinctive long, thin tapering bill and unique head feathers.  
The Hoopoe is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa.  
Interestingly, the Hoopoe is the national bird of Israel. 

Below, is another drawing from my African sketchbook.

Our guide in Tarangire informed me that the Swahili word for Hoopoe is hud-hud.
Below, is a quick clay sketch of the hud-hud in progress.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#488 In the field: Africa . . . Hippopotamus

Please start this series of posts with #477

The focus of this post is the Hippopotamus.  Before my recent trip to Tanzania, this animal was not on the short-list of species to be included in my African portfolio.  I completely changed my mind after experiencing the hippo in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and in Tarangire.

Below, are photos taken in Tanzania.

Hippos can always be found around water.

The hippo - its name is taken from ancient Greek for "river horse" -  is more closely related to whales and porpoises despite their physical resemblance to pigs.  Whales and hippos split in the evolutionary process around
60 million years ago.  A group of hippos is called a pod.

Hippos are well adapted to their mostly aquatic lifestyle and typically spend most of the day in or around water.
The large quadruped is aggressive and dangerous on land.  They stay cool in water during the day - like pigs, they are nearly hairless - and emerge at dusk to forage on grasses.

Hippo shapes are an obvious delight for the sculptor:  Barrel-shaped with short, stubby legs; enormous, cavernous mouth with long, large teeth; tiny ears, a unique shaped head and huge snout . . . present a plethora of outstanding shapes and forms for the sculptor to assemble and design with.  

Below, is a hippo sculpture - in progress - started a few days ago.  The two animals modeled are depicted in a pool and are the "supporting cast" for a third hippo which will be created with it's mouth open while yawning.  The dramatic creature will be included as a species in my African portfolio.

Below, are drawings of a yawning hippo . . . the precursor to the modeling and final design.
I learned from our guide in Africa that the Swahili name for Hippopotamus is kiboko. . .
The Maasai name is olmakau.

for anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655.
Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott

#486 In the field: Africa . . . Ostrich

Please start this series of posts with #477

This post focuses on another species I experienced on my recent trip to Tanzania. . . the OSTRICH.

The ostrich is another subject that will be included in my portfolio of sculpture - in progress - depicting African animals.  Below are photos taken in the Serengeti, Ngorogoro, and Tarangire. several weeks ago.
The larger male has distinctive black feathers;  the females' are grayish brown.

Below, the male and female look after their brood.

Below, The big bird often follows animals such as zebras and other
hooved animals that kick up insects and other edibles.

The ostrich is the largest bird as well as the largest two-legged creature on earth . . .
it can be over 9 feet in height.
Below is a drawing from my sketchbook.

  Before approaching the sculpture stand, each species must be researched to perceive behavior, gesture,  pose, individual shapes and form, and proportion.  Below is a drawing of a running ostrich. . . 

this is a pose that is frequently seen in the field and is typical body movement and locomotion.

The ostrich is a unique bird with a bizarre appearance and communicates many distinctive shapes
for the sculptor's use.  The comical-looking creature has a huge rounded body; a long, skinny neck;
an unusually small head with big eyes, long eye-lashes, and a broad, flat beak;
spindly legs with enormous calf muscles; and only two toes.  The combination of
shapes and form presents a bonanza for the sculptor while creating and designing.
Below, is a drawing of the bird's unique head.

It is shapes and the arrangement of shapes and form that make sculpture and sculpting any species is the process of assembling shapes and forms that are unique to the subject.  The sculptor must develop sound technique and be under the influence of their subject. . . I always ask myself: "What was my initial impression of this animal when I first saw and experienced it?"  In this manner, I attempt to leave my imprint upon my creation and retain clarity and purpose.

        

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#485 In the field: Africa . . . Secretary Bird

Please start this series of posts with #477

Over the years and before my first trip to Tanzania in October, I had developed a short-list
of the different species I hoped to experience in Africa in their natural habitat.
The Secretary Bird was the number one bird on this dream list and I was not disappointed.

Below are images of my first "in the field" encounter with the Secretary Bird in the Serengeti and Tarangire.

Like eagles, hawks, falcons, kites, and vultures, the Secretary Bird is a hawk that is a member of the Falconiformes order and is indigenous to Africa.  It is so unlike other members of the order that it is placed in a family by itself.

The name, Secretary Bird is derived from the long quill pen-like crest feathers that emerge from the back of the bird's head that reminds one of a secretary's writing instrument.  Below, is a drawing from my sketchbook . . .

the profusion of crest feathers on the head will be a delight to design with in the sculpture studio!

  

The long-legged bird of prey is known for hunting and killing its primary diet - snakes.
It also preys on other reptiles, small mammals, large insects, and young birds, and eggs.
Below, is another drawing from my sketchbook.

The huge bird hunts by running after its prey in a zigzag manner; stomping with its feet and battering with its wings . . . killing its prey using powerful blows.  The bird will typically hold its dropped wings forward to avoid
being bitten by a snake.  Below is another drawing from my sketchbook.

Unlike other birds of prey who, for instance, soar to hunt . . .   the Secretary Bird has relatively poor flying skills;
however they are capable fliers and have been spotted as high as 12,000 feet.
They are frequently seen in pairs and like most large birds, are believed to mate for life.

Below, are additional drawings from my sketchbook.

For anatomy reference, go to posts #563, #616, and #655
Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott and Trish Smith

#481 In the field: Africa . . . the big cats: Leopard, part 2

Please start this series of posts with #477

Due to the proficiency and experience of our excellent guides, we had successful sightings of Leopards in both
the Serengeti and Tarangire.  The guides coached us to look in trees for the hanging tail of the elusive animal.

Below, the Leopard's tail hangs below a branch in the Tarangire.

Below, even though we knew to look for the cat's tail hanging vertical from a branch,
the guide always spotted the beautiful creature first!

Leopards have been ranked among the least visible and the most difficult to spot due to their hide and stalk hunting technique . . . typically in low-light conditions; and their camouflage; especially in sun-dappled trees.


When hunting, approximately one in four attacks is successful.  When a kill is made and as soon as the Leopard has satisfied its appetite, it drags its prey up a tree, out of the reach of scavengers.

Of all of the big cats, Leopards are the best at stalking prey.  They are silent,  move with stealth  and can get
within a few feet of their intended prey.  Below, is a drawing from my sketchbook.

Below, are more images of one of my favorite African species:  The Leopard!

Below, Leopard at ease on a termite mound.

Below, Leopard descending a termite mound.

Below, are drawings from my sketchbook.

Blog, text, photos, drawings, and sculpture . . . © Sandy Scott