Animals as art

[susandennis]

It wouldn't be fair to call me an animal person. I love my cats - they are great comfort and hilarious laughs. And I like well behaved dogs and I think monkeys of all kinds are really fun to watch like on the Discovery channel. I've never warmed up to birds and I think all snakes and most rodents and all insects are just plain creepy. And I'm not at all sympathetic with rabid political animal saviors.

But, I do think there are some animals that are just artwork. I remember seeing my first zebra running around. It was at San Simeon, the Hearst estate in California. They were just running around the field and they were amazing. I couldn't stop staring. If I saw one today, I'd have the same reaction.

I love tropical fish for their color. I've never seen a kangaroo or a koala and I'd really like to. I have seen penguins and they crack me up.

My friend who lives in Wellington, New Zealand, just got back from a shortish (by Kiwi standards anyway) holiday in Australia. His girlfriend, who is no photographer, took a bunch of snaps and he, who is no computer expert, scanned some in for me - because they know I love seeing pictures. There's a funny one of him standing just over a kangeroo. But the one with the best quality is of an animal I've never heard of a lorikeet. I fiddled around with the picture - cropped and generally made better including a funky frame...

These guys are just stunning!

Comments

[murg.livejournal.com]

You know, living here in Australia I guess we take stuff like that for granted. We see the birds all the time, flying about and think nothing of it!

I do love Zebra's though. I have a zebra rug, and zebra cushions, and zebra plates and mugs and toys... I even have lil' shower curtain hooks. Mmmm, I love zebra!!

[susandennis]

I grew up on the east coast of the United States. Squirrels were everywhere. My Mom had a continuing war with them - I think they ate something in the garden or something, but she hated those buggers. We learned early on that squirrels were bad bad bad.

Later when I moved away from the east coast, I went back with a friend who shreaked with joy at every squirrel she saw. She's never been around them before and thought they were just amazing creatures.

She did teach me that they were kind of cute and do have lovely tails. But, I still do not discuss these features in front of Mom.

Re:

[murg.livejournal.com]

I would SO squeal if I ever saw a squirrel!!! They look so cute on TV... we dont have them over here. All our animals are weird as hell... underwater furry animals with webbed feet and beaks.

And jumping things. And too many spiders to count! And snakes. The bird life is definitely colorful... pink and gray galahs, red and black parrots... its nice to see a flock of 50 fly over your house. :D

[susandennis]

oK, see that snake thing is a problem. If you get a vote, why don't you go for trading in the snakes for a pack of squirrels. I think squirrels and kangeroos would be a perfect pair!

Re:

[murg.livejournal.com]

Hmmm yep, that works for me!! They would have a nice safe place to store their acorns too. ;)~

Snakes aren't so bad, I used to have a childrens python named Monty. He was adorably cute and didnt bite!

I had a blue tongued lizard too.

[androkles.livejournal.com]

That's a very clever little frame.

I can hear those darned noisy things hamming it up in my garden - like a lot of Australians they're not exactly what you'd call shy little creatures. They are bullies to other birds, too - and then we go and forgive them everything, because they're beautiful.

My next door neighbour had one I used to whistle to - we'd have long conversations that way. One day it escaped, and instead of flying to freedom it flew into my kitchen to see who or what had been chatting it up!

[susandennis]

See, the thing is, they don't look noisey.... hehehe I do thing you guys have some pretty amazing animals on your island. You must have drawn the good straw.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I have cockatiels that are native to Australia. Birds (well parrots) have great personalities and most people don't realize how intelligent they are.

I get many hours of laughs and enjoyment from my birds. Lorikeets I think are justa little larger.