I Am the Beastmaster

It was so freakin' gorgeous this weekend that on Sunday morning I decided I needed to be outside.  On a whim I went to the zoo.  (1) I have been here for over 2 years and haven't been (2) I just happened to have my sketchbook in my purse.  I spent several hours (in entirely inappropriate shoes) marveling at nature and doodling.  Elephants are fun to draw.  Napping kangaroos are adorable.  River otters are too squirmy and move too fast to capture if you're out of practice as I (shamefully) am.  Once I have access to a scanner I'll put up some of my doodles.  

The most magical part of the day involved and orangutan.  I stood very patiently in a corner of the window, watching them play out of sight or with their backs to me.  After a few minutes the other zoo-goers, bored, moved on and it was just me.  A female kept looking over her shoulder and making eye contact.  I didn't move.  Soon she came swinging over and perched on some vines right by the window, not 6 inches from my face and we just watched each other.  I moved my pencil to start drawing and she immediately moved her head to try and see what I was doing.  I stopped and she looked up at me again.  I moved my pencil and she quickly looked back down at my book.  So I started sketching and she watched me.  I didn't actually sketch much because I was too fascinated by the actual animal in front of me and her very direct, sad-looking orangutan eyes (they have very mournful faces) and Justin Bieber hair (I kid you not).  We spent about 10 minutes communing and it was completely awesome.  Best thing that ever happened to me at a zoo.  One of the best things that ever happened to me, period, I would say. 

I May Not Die Alone

Wonder of wonders, October is shaping up to be the most social month I've had in a very long time.  I have the ability to interact with a variety of humans.  Bully for me.