Expedition
to the Rain Forests
In the spring of I999 Pollyanna traveled out to
the Rain Forests of Belize in Central America. She braved her
fear of scorpions and tarantulas, as well as the humid temperatures,
which reached 103C in order to fill her sketchpads with images,
which would inspire her exhibition "The Temple of the Jaguar
King".
Eighty percent of the original virgin rain forests of Belize
remain intact, making it the ideal destination. Pollyanna traveled
the length of the country in a ramshackle assortment of four
wheel drive vehicles and light aircraft. One reserve in the
centre of the jungle was accessible only by river, necessitating
a day's canoeing through crocodile infested waters to reach
the outpost lodge.
Sightings of many of the rain forests wild cats - the beautifully
inargays, elusive jaguarundis, and an unforgettable sighting
of an ocelot with a cub was the reward for the hazardous travelling.
In addition the rain forests are home to many beautiful birds
- Pollyanna's sketch pads rapidly filled with toucans, parakeets
and parrots, including the green winged macaw, now very endangered
in its homeland due to over collection for export to the pet
trade.
Pollyanna was fortunate enough to stay and work with Mark and
Monique Howells, owners of the Lamanai outpost Lodge, who were
working on the rehabilitation and re-release of two young orphaned
howler monkeys. This afforded Pollyanna a unique opportunity
to get close to these inquisitive and intelligent creatures
- who delighted in stealing her pencils and taking bites out
of her sketch pad.
Pollyanna's primary quest however was to see the Jaguar - King
of the Belizean jungle - and at gallon jug, in the heart of
the rain forest she was successful in sighting and sketching
this magnificent cat, subject of myth and legend, which roams
through the ruins of the Mayan temples as it has for centuries.
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