Baby Elephant

“Baby Tembo” by Derrick Hudson,

Clare Market, London School of Economics

October 31, 2009

Borrowed from one of my favorite blogs:

Daily Photostream by VP

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Ancient-looking Beasts in Modern Pompeii

Pompeii, Italy ~ April 18, 2004

This was the floor in a hotel lobby where we stayed. The black thing is nothing more than a rubber mat to keep people from slipping in the rainy weather. Of course, now I wish I'd gone down and removed it before taking the photo, but you know how it is - you've been walking all day, you're exhausted, and one more step seems like one step too many. *Snap!*

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Sailfish from Mexico

Mexico ~ Sailfish on a Postage Stamp

Stamp collectors may note that someone (yours truly) has carelessly slashed the stamp between the picture and the perforations. It wasn't out of meanness, but many of the stamps I've saved over the years are for use in the collages I've enjoyed making since 1968, when I discovered that I liked this art form. I've saved bits, images, and whole magazines to play around with when the mood strikes. This stamp was left out of some collage I was making at the time, but saved in the "collage box," and when it came up again, I was thinking "Animal Art" blog.

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Classical Eagle and Gryphon

Portland, Oregon ~ August 7, 2010

This eagle and gryphon can be found on a building across the street from Pioneer Square. I did not desaturate or do anything with the color. It's straight color from the camera. Interesting, eh?

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African Striped Weasel

African Striped Weasel (Poecilogale albinucha)
South African Postage Stamp, 1993
Art by Denis Murphy

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Lego Bear

Sacramento, California ~ April 6, 2008

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Paleontological Lizard

Paris ~ October 14, 2008

Museum of Paleontology

Jardin des Plantes

I've posted one of Mr. Lizard's friends on the same facade here.

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A Pig in Ravello

Ravello, Italy ~ April 21, 2004

This little pig poking its nose and trotters out of the wall of an arcaded walkway in Ravello has to be one of the most unexpected discoveries of animals art that I can remember. Just when you think the architecture is looking sedate and refined, here comes a surprise. Oink.

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Lounge Lizards

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ~ February 4, 2006

Hotel Open-air Cafe and Lounge

Oh, and don't miss the red horse near the ceiling.

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Camel Tapestry from India

January 9, 2009

A little something Lee found on one of his trips. I love this tapestry, and you can see details of it in several posts here.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Concrete Capybara at a Truckstop

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ April 20, 2007

Although the artwork is not masterful, and the photograph is neither inspired nor in focus, we had fun spotting this painted concrete capybara at a truck stop between Sorocaba and Trindade. Too bad it's the only photo I took of it. I was more interested in capturing the nearby jaguar and tapir sculptures.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Orange Dino in San Diego

San Deigo, California ~ November 6, 2008

Natural History Museum, Balboa Park

I thought that the art used to create the model dinosaur and the art on the mural were both outstanding.

The Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, San Deigo, is without a doubt, one of the finest museums I've ever visited. It's not large, but the exhibits are beautifully done - world class to the max, and - unlike so many museums - the descriptive text actually made sense to me.

I have to say this since I've started the subject. I'm not stupid, and I love natural history, evolution, animal sciences in general, but while I can enjoy looking at the exhibits in most museums, I begin to feel like a dummy when I try to read the text. (Does anyone else feel this way?) I wonder who it's written for, as the casual and less casual visitors are usually given little or no context. Normally in a museum crammed with exhibits, I cannot retain any of what I read. I begin to feel as though I'm learning nothing as I wander from exhibit to exhibit unless I've already been doing a lot of outside reading on the material I'm looking at. Here in the Museum of Natural History in San Diego, I found that the text on most of the exhibits was in some way more cohesive. Perhaps it focused for a paragraph or so on an explainable point rather than hitting the reader with the shrapnel of small facts. Perhaps the exhibits tell stories, although not condescending or dumbed down. Someone has a talent. Anyway, this was one of the most exciting museum visits I can remember, and I do love museums. So, thank you Natural History Museum of San Diego.

Quite a few of my photos from this visit actually turned out well. I don't know why it took me so long to dig into this folder for my various blogs, but I will dig out more, sooner than later.

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An Eagle Watches Over Crater Lake Resort

Crater Lake Resort, Oregon ~ May 8, 2005

Someone with carving tools and an artistic bent thought it would be nice to perch one of the local bird species permanently on a living tree in the forested grounds of Crater Lake Resort near the resorts cozy cabins and picturesque stream. Real-life bald eagles enjoy this territory, too. I think what I like best about this photo, though, is the mushrooms growing out of the tree trunk occupied by the eagle. It seems to say, "This is Oregon, and it is wet." I really love all the water we get here. Blue skies are a treat, but a rainy day is a delight as well. Oregon is for wildlife.

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The Lions of Marble Arch

London ~ February 15, 2010

This is the second lion resident on Marble Arch that I've posted on this blog. Another lion is on the gate.

Both of these photos are in color without desaturation. It happened to be one of those days. I like the way they came out.

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Scales and Snails

Oxford, England ~ February 18, 2010

The scales may be easier to find than the carved wooden snail in this intriguing shop window on The High Street.

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.