Gorilla My Dreams

Old Man of the Mountain, 8x10".
While other people might be relaxing or sleeping in on New Year's Day, I got up and went to work. Not entirely true, I slept in til 11:30 am. This painting was already complete except for some leaves at the bottom of the painting. I just finished it up after brunch. So it's the first painting of 2011, dated on the back, 01/01/11.
It's a silver-backed Mountain Gorilla in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. That's where I'll be going, (hopefully) in a month and a half. I'll be going there for the spectacular birds, not the gorillas. I would love to see a Mountain Gorilla, and I can always hope for a sighting. The problem is that a gorilla permit costs $500.oo, and requires a very strenuous uphill climb in high elevation.
Because of my leaky heart valve, I cannot do strenuous. I really cannot afford $500.oo on top of the entry fee and lodging etc. This looks like it is going to be my most ambitious trip yet. I will be travelling with Gary Lyon, who owns the Sea Lion Gallery in Homer. He is an excellent Wildlife Artist and birder. We will be visiting the protected areas in western Uganda for a month. I feel that I must do these things while I am able, the future has a way of overtaking you if you are not up on your toes.
We also hope to see Chimpanzees, and some of the other dozen or more primates that occur in Uganda. There are many endemic birds that live in the border areas between Uganda and the DRC. Uganda has a wonderful mix of East African, and West African species. Big African mammals as well.