The Vigilant Nadokwak

The Vigilant Nadokwak

My response to this week’s BestiaryPosting challenge, from @maniculum

Pencil sketch, then lines in Sailor fude nib fountain pen, using Diamine Sepia ink.

Thought process under the cut…

"Nadokwaks take their name from the sound of their own particular call, or such is the low, muttering sound they make. It is interesting to recall how Nadokwaks organise their journeys. They go to some extent in military formation, and in case the wind should be against them on their way to their chosen land, they eat sand and ballast themselves to a reasonable weight by picking up small stones. Then they fly as high as they can, so that a from higher vantage point they can look out for the lands they seek. As they fly swiftly on their way, they follow one of their number in a V-shaped formation. Confident in its navigation, it leads the group. It scolds the laggards and keeps the formation together with its calls. When it grows hoarse, another takes over. Nadokwaks are united in their concern for those who tire, to such an extent that if any drop out, they all surround the exhausted birds and support them until their strength is restored by this period of rest.

At night Nadokwaks keep careful watch. You can see the sentinels at their posts; while the other members of the group sleep, others do the rounds and check lest they should be ambushed from any quarter; with their tireless energy, they ensure total vigilance. When the Nadokwak’s turn on watch is over and its duty is done, it settles down to sleep, first giving a cry to wake one of those already asleep, whose turn it is to be on duty. The new guard takes up its allotted task willingly, not refusing, as we do, gracelessly, because we want to go on sleeping; instead, rousing itself readily from its resting-place, it takes its turn and repays the service it has received with equal attention to duty. Nadokwaks do not desert the group, because they are devoted by nature. They keep a safe watch, because they do it of their own free will. They divide the watches at night and take them in turns, according to a roster, holding small stones in their claws to ward off sleep. They give a cry when there is cause for alarm. Their colouring shows their age, for as they grow older, it grows darker."

We have a lot of text here, but most if this is about behaviour, not much of a description. What we can glean from this is;

It's a bird - we don't even have to extrapolate to get this one, plus we know that they fly

They get darker as they get older

They can hold rocks in their feet (so probably not a bird with webbed feet - although you do get the occasional species of perching duck, which could probably manage it)

So, we have a slightly generic flocking, flying bird. Not much in the way of distinctive markings (surely these would have been mentioned in the description?). I figured I'd give them a little bit of a neck, mostly because I felt

In terms of style, I've started reading the Moomins books - I love Tove Jannson's illustrations, so I've done a lot of experimenting with a similar style.

I tried to illustrate the main behaviours mentioned, including the Nadokwak on guard, holding a rock in its foot to stay awake while its companions snooze. I considered trying to set out the dozing birds like a military camp, but couldn't find a good way to make that work; they have however camped out in an easily defensible hollow, almost like earthen ramparts around them.

If you look carefully, you can also just make out a V-formation of Nadokwak flying overhead. This wasn't meant to be quite so obscure, but the shading of the sky resulted in having to peer a little to spot them. This does work well with them flying at night, of course!

BRB shaving my partner’s head…

why do people love rubbing buzz cuts so much

English added by me :)

Sometimes reading Arthuriana feels like reading Alice in Wonderland.

“Well,” said Alice, “these are a dreadfully strange assortment of objects!”

“They all symbolize different aspects of Our Lord’s martyrdom,” said the Fisher King, casting a line into his teacup.

“Indeed. I am sure everything symbolizes something else, for if everything was only itself I should be very confused. Might I ask what the point of the bleeding lance is?”

Alice regretted asking the question as soon as she had done so, for she saw the pun that would likely be made about the word point. Instead, however, the room erupted in applause and shouts of “The Grail! She has achieved the Grail!”

The next castle she visited, Alice resolved to herself as the inhabitants of this one danced for joy, would be more sensible.

Pigeon attempts to court falcon

“My favorite genre of twitter is straight men reacting to Oscar Isaac”