black rhino and egret | pen & ink

This pen-and-ink artwork captures the powerful presence of a rhino paired with the light, attentive movement of an egret — a subtle partnership often seen in the wild. Egrets follow rhinos closely, feeding on insects and ticks disturbed as the rhino moves through grass or lifted directly from its thick hide. In return, their constant flicker of movement and sharp eyesight can alert the rhino to nearby disturbance, acting almost as an early-warning companion. Rhinos rely on smell and hearing more than sight, and their intense, forward-driven posture reflects both their confidence and their caution. The egret’s calm proximity shows how accustomed these birds are to walking in the shadow of giants, benefiting from a relationship built on simple mutual advantage. Together, they form an unexpected yet familiar pair — the grounded weight of one of Africa’s most iconic mammals contrasted with the quick, watchful grace of a bird that has learned to thrive at its side.