3 March 2019
African elephants have admirable qualities in the wild. The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the larger of the two elephants who reside in Africa (the other being the African forest elephant), and is actually the largest land mammal in the world!
Trekking through miles in the open savanna to find an oasis, these magnificent creatures encounter a lot of other animals along the way. One in particular is the Northern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides), a bird who specializes in “hawking,” a hunting technique where they launch from a perch, catch an insect from mid-air and return to the same or a different perch.
These guys find all sorts of “perches” that help them get a tasty meal. Sometimes they perch on trees, sometimes on larger birds, and sometimes even on elephants!
Trekking through miles in the open savanna to find an oasis, these magnificent creatures encounter a lot of other animals along the way. One in particular is the Northern carmine bee-eater (Merops nubicoides), a bird who specializes in “hawking,” a hunting technique where they launch from a perch, catch an insect from mid-air and return to the same or a different perch.
These guys find all sorts of “perches” that help them get a tasty meal. Sometimes they perch on trees, sometimes on larger birds, and sometimes even on elephants!
My first washes with watercolor. All my pigment is mixed by hand using primary and secondary colors. No payne’s gray for me :)
After a couple washes, I jump around starting my first wash on other elements in my piece. Always going light to go dark; with watercolor, it’s hard to go backwards.These bee-eaters are fierce. They swoop in during bush fires to eat insects being flushed out by the burning undergrowth. If a fire isn’t raging, they follow larger animals who walk through tall grasslands.
African elephants are so mountainous; when they walk through tall grass, a lot of it gets ruffled up, causing insects to hop out of its path. Diving at the opportunity to catch the bugs on their getaway, these vivacious birds swoop in for a hearty meal.
African elephants are so mountainous; when they walk through tall grass, a lot of it gets ruffled up, causing insects to hop out of its path. Diving at the opportunity to catch the bugs on their getaway, these vivacious birds swoop in for a hearty meal.
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Little guy was so fun to paint! Having his head up look at me is just positive affirmation for me keep my head up during stressful times, too.
This type of commensalism relationship is seen all over the world, in many different species, and in many different ways.
Noticing these relationships in nature allows us to understand that we’re all connected in some way or another. This type of bird partially depends on another living being for survival. Although the elephant doesn’t get any substantial benefit from the bee-eater’s company, who’s to say they aren’t getting along?
Nature has a wonderful way of showing us a vibrant life filled with connections and opportunities for growth. In what ways has being in nature helped you out in life? I know it’s helped me tremendously! Finished and printed, this piece shows playfulness, while offering scientifically accurate information as well.African elephants are listed as vulnerable and are often hunted for their tusks and poached illegally. There are many organizations that help these wonderful creatures survive, and helping them out, will help the elephants out too. Check out the Nature Conservancy, African Wildlife Foundation, and National Geographic for more information. Happy Trekking, all! ~Jess |
