I went sketching at Melbourne Zoo last week.

As you can see from the photo below, it was a beautiful day of blue sky and sunshine.

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post with hints and tips for sketching at the Zoo, based on my previous visits. I plan to visit regularly and let other Melbournians know when I am going. On this day, artist Tatiana joined me. We sketched and talked at the giraffe enclosure and then went our own ways til we left, each of us very happy with our day.

I spent over two hours at the Giraffe and Zebra enclosure. There are three giraffes and four zebras. They were up close most of the time, but not always. They would move around eating from the different food baskets in the trees. Most of the time I stayed in one place, instead of walking up and down to follow them.

zebra

I moved into the Australian section. There was one koala I could see and sketch. He was sleeping. All of the visitors passing behind me were excited to see a giraffe but did not stay long as he was sleeping, Last time I was here, they were both VERY lively,

and also the Tasmanian Devil. He was sleeping in the sun, near the fence, but moved his head (but did not change his body position) around a few times. He would return to one of a few positions.

At the giraffes when there was a Keeper Talk. SO busy.

It was school holidays and I knew it would be busy. I was there from 9:00am til after 1:00pm . I should have left at 12:00pm when I started to feel tired. That is the entire reason for becoming a Zoo Member, I can come and go whenever I wish. In hindsight, this was the only thing I would have done differently. And perhaps not sketched in the sun for so long. I had a hat, long sleeves and sunburn cream, and drank lots of water.

on last sketch at the Reptiles. It was crowded and warm inside. I was tired.

On a closing note. I started out the day, sketching on the tram. Fortunately, in doing this first sketch in my everyday sketchbook, I realized it was a day that I felt like doing detail. That set my tone for the day.