1117 Baltic Forest Scene
Image information
Description
Baltic Amber Forest
A sub-tropical forest scene during the Tertiary of Europe showing resin oozing from gymnosperm barks.
The giant flightless bird is a Diatryma. Nearby are two early horse-related animals, Propalaeotherium. The lemur-like animal sitting on a branch at top left is a Europolemur.
All insects shown in this scene have been found preserved in amber. The main insect is a rock crawler also known as heel walker (Mantophasmid). I was interested to see that related species have been discovered in Africa in 2002. The clump of resin near the centre of the image contains a praying mantis caught in the sticky resin. Flying above are two damselflies (Zygoptera). Midges (Diptera) at lower left and mayflies (Ephemeroptera) near the base of the tree on the right.
Resting on the tree trunk is a butterfly (Lepidoptera) and a true bug (hemiptera).
I tried to create an atmospheric scene and adding the palms helped to create a subtropical look. I added water to allow for those insects in the scene requiring water as part of their life cycle.
Acrylics on MDF 30cm x 45.5cm
Prints available
A sub-tropical forest scene during the Tertiary of Europe showing resin oozing from gymnosperm barks.
The giant flightless bird is a Diatryma. Nearby are two early horse-related animals, Propalaeotherium. The lemur-like animal sitting on a branch at top left is a Europolemur.
All insects shown in this scene have been found preserved in amber. The main insect is a rock crawler also known as heel walker (Mantophasmid). I was interested to see that related species have been discovered in Africa in 2002. The clump of resin near the centre of the image contains a praying mantis caught in the sticky resin. Flying above are two damselflies (Zygoptera). Midges (Diptera) at lower left and mayflies (Ephemeroptera) near the base of the tree on the right.
Resting on the tree trunk is a butterfly (Lepidoptera) and a true bug (hemiptera).
I tried to create an atmospheric scene and adding the palms helped to create a subtropical look. I added water to allow for those insects in the scene requiring water as part of their life cycle.
Acrylics on MDF 30cm x 45.5cm
Prints available