This painting originates from a memorable photo safari on Botswana's Chobe River, a place teeming with wildlife. The rich colours of the yellow-billed stork against the backdrop of vibrant grasses and lichens made a painting irresitible. 

An interesting fact about these storks is their foraging method; they often use touch to find food, jabbing their long beaks into the water,  rather than using sight.

Artistically, for the bird itself, I opted for fairly large brushes, initially hoping to capture its form in a single, bold pass—though it ultimately required two layers to achieve the desired effect.

For an immersive wildlife photography experience in this area, consider Pangolin Photo Safaris.