Illustration Friday: Safari

Safari, watercolor, pen & marker on paper, 9 x 12", 2011.

You know how on nature shows you always see birds on elephants' backs?  Zoologists would tell you it's because they have some sort of symbiotic relationship, but it's really because elephants are excellent tour guides.  They never forget!  Birds are the most knowledgeable tourists because they migrate all the time, so they've figured out this secret.

I think this is the most children's book-like illustration I've posted.

Be sure to notice that the elephant's trunk is up... it's good luck!