Location: United States
13" x 13" Pencil on Stratmore 400 Series Iluustration Board.
Date: 2012
The Golden Eagle is one of the largest, fastest, nimblest raptors in North America. Lustrous gold feathers gleam on the back of its head and neck; a powerful beak and talons advertise its hunting prowess. You're most likely to see this eagle in western North America, soaring on steady wings or diving in pursuit of the jackrabbits and other small mammals that are its main prey. Sometimes seen attacking large mammals, or fighting off coyotes or bears in defense of its prey and young, the Golden Eagle has long inspired both reverence and fear.
8" x 11" Pencil on Crescent Ilustration Board
Date: 2011
This species is native to North America. It breeds in Canada and the northern United States in a variety of habitats. Its nest is usually located in an elevated area near water such as streams, lakes, ponds and sometimes on a beaver lodge. Its eggs are laid in a shallow depression lined with plant material and down. The Great Lakes region maintains a very large population of Canada Geese.
9" x 9" Pencil on Strathmore 400 Series Illustration Board
Date: 2012
Siberian (or Amur) tigers are the world's largest cats. They live primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests, though some exist in China and North Korea. There are an estimated 400 to 500 Siberian tigers living in the wild, and recent studies suggest that these numbers are stable. Though their northern climate is far harsher than those of other tigers, these animals have some advantages. Northern forests offer the lowest human density of any tiger habitat, and the most complete ecosystem. The vast woodlands also allow tigers far more room to roam, as Russia's timber industry is currently less extensive than that of many other countries.
Original Medium: Oil on Canvas
Date: 2012
"Mountain lions live a short 13 years in the wild -- if they make it to old age. Today, few lions live a full natural lifespan. The cougar works a powerful magic on the human imagination. Perhaps it is envy. This majestic feline personifies strength, movement, grace, stealth, independence, and the wilderness spirit. It wanders enormous tracts of American wilderness at will. It is equally at home in forest, desert, jungle, or swamp. An adult cougar can bring down a full-grown mule deer in seconds. It yields to few creatures, save, bears and humans".
___ Robert Redford
11" x 13" Pencil on Strathmore 400 Series Illustration Board
Date: 2012
I was inspired to to do this drawing both by the film"The Last Lions" and from the incredible dedication to his own pride; World renowned conservationist...MR. KEVIN RICHARDSON.
Lions are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Prides are family units that may include up to three males, a dozen or so females, and their young. All of a pride's lionesses are related, and female cubs typically stay with the group as they age. Young males eventually leave and establish their own prides by taking over a group headed by another male.
Only male lions boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their heads. Males defend the pride's territory, which may include some 100 square miles (259 square kilometers) of grasslands, scrub, or open woodlands. These intimidating animals mark the area with urine, roar menacingly to warn intruders, and chase off animals that encroach on their turf.
Female lions are the pride's primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon antelopes, zebras, wildebeest, and other large animals of the open grasslands. Many of these animals are faster than lions, so teamwork pays off.
11" x 8" Pencil on Crescent Illustration Board.
Date: 2011
The Black Rhino has a reputation for being extremely aggressive, and charges readily at perceived threats. They have even been observed to charge tree trunks and termite mounds. Black Rhinos will fight each other, and they have the highest rates of mortal combat recorded for any mammal: about 50% of males and 30% of females die from combat-related injuries. Adult Black Rhinos normally have no natural predators
Selected as an Honorable Mention in the animal category of the 2012 ARC art contest.
Black Rhinoceros follow the same trails as elephants use to get from foraging areas to water holes. They also use smaller trails when they are browsing. They are very fast and can get up to speeds of 56 kilometers per hour (35 mph) running on their toes.
11" x 8" Pencil on Strathmore 400 series Illustration Board
Date: 2012
Northern Botswana contains the largest contiguous savannah population of elephants in Africa, where numbers have increased from an estimated >80,000 in 1995 to a current population of approximately 150,000. Indeed, numbers are reported to be increasing at an estimated growth rate of between 5-6% per annum. The elephants of northern Botswana have free range over ~80,000km2 of land 18% of which is in protected areas. In the dry season, the population concentrates near the main permanent water sources, namely the Chobe and Lynanti/Kwando River systems, and the Okavango Delta, yet during the wet season the range expands as elephants move away from the river systems to utilise the food sources near rain filled pans.
“Mid-Flight”
“Leveling Out”
“Siberian Tiger Study”
“The Five Minute Stare”
“Twins”
“Black Rhino Study”
“African Elephant Study”
