April at the Zoo

4/21/16 colored pencils

Woodland Park Zoo is one place I don’t think to visit during the year until at least May, and last year I didn’t get there until August. But in April?? Unheard of – except this year, when yesterday was Day 5 of our spring summer (which has, sadly, ended).

Despite temperatures in the mild 70s, the animals seemed to be operating on the actual calendar, hiding away in their caves and burrows as they do most of the cold months. Maybe they just weren’t ready to face the hordes of screaming children yesterday (frankly, neither was I).

In any case, I hardly saw any to sketch. I did manage to catch a few meerkats, the comfortingly slow-moving Komodo dragon and Malati, the orangutan, who was lethargically nodding off as I sketched.

On my way out, I stopped to see the South American Humboldt penguins, whom I can always count on for a few quick gestures. They seem to be happy, rain or shine, all seasons of the year.

4/21/16 colored pencils

4/21/16 ink

4/21/16 non-hairy brush pen, white gel pen