Written by Beating out the yellow-eyed penguin since I’ve already doodlewashed a penguin, and a Yorkshire Terrier because that seemed too specific, we have this yak. Other than being the only animal that readily comes to mind for the letter “Y,” I really knew nothing about yaks. But apparently there are two types, one being domesticated and the other being wild. The domesticated ones are smaller and not quite as shaggy as their wild cousins.
So what’s so interesting about a yak? Well, they are pretty valuable to those who domesticated them in Tibet and parts of China for their milk, wool, meat, and surprisingly, their poop. Apparently yak poop is used as fuel in the high mountains of the Himalayas, since the government protects the few wooded areas that exist there. Sherpa villagers regularly collect the stuff on the trails, dry it out and make poop patties that they use in small iron stoves. It’s thankfully not stinky and can achieve really high temperatures.
If playing with yak poop isn’t your thing, then you might consider adding a little yak cheese to your diet. Because of the grasses and shrubs that they eat, versus industrial grains of other milk-making creatures, their cheese contains very high levels of healthy fats and Omega-3 fatty-acids. And unlike most food that’s good for you, yak cheese apparently tastes good. Those are some little tidbits I was able to grab quickly, but feel free to do your own research if you’re a yak enthusiast. Tomorrow we have the last letter in our alphabet! And then stay tuned for some special Leap Day reveals!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
I always liked yaks. 😀
He’s majestic! Love those horns, he looks so fierce! Nice job, Charlie!
Awww thanks Laura!! 💜😃Hehe…never looked this closely at a yak before. They’re rather interesting creatures!
I keep thinking of that yakkety yak don’t talk back song lol…..
Haha! And now I can’t get it out of my head!!! 😳
Oh, and now the ELO song……the beat goes on 💚💃🏻
Lol…oh no! Another ear worm!! Let’s dance!! Haha
OMG and they keep coming!!! You’re not Trump in disguise are you?!
Ugh!!!! NOOOO!! Haha!!
LOL
I have thoroughly enjoyed this alphabet series!!! LOVE 🙂
Awww thanks Eric!! I’m so glad you’ve liked these!! ❤️It’s been so much fun to do!
what a stately looking yak! another great doodlewash charlie 0! and here is a fun fact- my favorite children’s book of ALL TIME is one that is no longer published, but I still often buy used to give as gifts – “Bob and Jack – A Boy and His Yak” by Jeff Moss – a tender, beautiful, tearjerker of a story. (http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Jack-Boy-His-Yak/dp/0553089315) Happy Saturday!
Thanks Jodi! 💕😃 And cool!! That book looks awesome!! I’ll have to get my hands on a copy! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!!
Very handsome Yak. Your really got the thick wool perfectly, Charlie. Hmm, Z what could you possibly be painting? 😄😜
So appreciate that Sharon! 💕😃The wool was tough! Hehe… Glad you liked the outcome! And yeppers… Z will surprise exactly nobody!! Lol
What a Yak! Great details Charlie! 😄🌟🎨
Thanks Jill!! 💕😃Glad you liked him. Yaks are pretty interesting. Never really looked at them this closely before. Hope you’re having an amazing weekend!!
That’s a handsome yak, Charlie. Love the fur.
Thanks so much Kirk! It’s been fun to try so many different types of fur and other animals coverings in this series! Hehe
Now that is a yak!
Hehe…thanks Michael!! 😃
Haha, well, at least now I know what to do with yak poo if I happen across some on my travels – many thanks, Charlie. Awesome doodlewash – fearsome horns, rendered so smooth they look extra strong and sharp, but I want to stroke that oh-so-thick, shaggy coat of his! He’s wonderful. You make me want all these animals 😛
It’ll be a shame as it always is to reach the end tomorrow/today, but I look forward to the 29th surprise and of course whatever you’ve got up your sleeve for March… not that I expect you’ve any idea yet! 😉
Nope!! Not a clue yet! You know me so well! Lol But glad you liked my yak, and even better learning an important lesson about yak poo! Hehe… My animals facts are limited to those my inner 8 year old finds amusing. 😊
Haha – that must be why they appeal to me as well!
What a fun yak! He looks awesome! I can’t believe we’re already so close to the end… I wonder what Z could be. 😛
Thanks Annie! 💕😃Yep…almost to the end! Hehe…Z is exactly what you might think. Lol
Like your walrus this is a rather handsome rendition of a yak. Awesomeness abounds!
Awww thanks Susan!! 💕😃I’m so glad you liked this guy!
Another wonderful job. You are now the master of fur!
Hehe…thanks Teri!! 😃💕 Fur freaked me out at first, but it’s been kind of fun to try now!
“Yak enthusiast”…hahaha! Your yak is grumpy yet handsome in its unique yak way! 😀 <3 I actually knew a few of those yak facts (including the poop thing), but it was fun to see your painting and refresh my memory!
Lol…thanks so much Teresa!! 😃💕 No idea if there are yak enthusiasts, but there’s usually always someone out there to be enthusiastic about anything.
True! It’s funny and scary at the same time, no? 😉
…and he is eating some grass too! Lovely! 🙂
Z is for zoot-scoot, and zinger, and zoodle-doodle-doo! hehehe 😛 Does that help, Charlie?
Lol…thanks Janina!! I’m not sure what any of those Z words are, but they’re awesome!! 😉👍🏻
The yak is lovely, he has a very thoughtful look in his eyes – perhaps preparing to produce stove fuel? And don’t the locals put yak butter in their tea? I seem to remember this factoid. Well Charlie, I wonder if you will manage to bypass the ubiquitous zebra tomorrow!
Thanks! Glad you liked him! And I have no idea about yak butter… hehe…but I’m sure it’s totally possible. My research is a bit thin and fast! And nope! We’ll likely have a zebra… I’ve managed to avoid being too obscure, so I’m sticking with the classics! Lol
I thought exactly what Laura already wrote – what a majestic animal! They´re beautiful, and you captured that perfectly! 😊👍
Awww thanks Ann! 💕😃Glad you liked him!! Yaks are actually pretty cool looking creatures!
Super love for your Yak. They seem so prehistoric perhaps hanging out with a wooly mammoth. As for “z” it might be obvious but such a cool challenge and doodlewash!
Thanks Cathe! 💕😃 Yeah they do have a wooly mammoth look about them!! And yeah…I’m tackling the definitive Z because it’s actually super hard!! We’ll see how it turns out!
Love yaks….adore this one. Your painting is wonderful and you seem to bring out such a personality in the expression and eyes. Yak butter tea for everyone! Cheers!
Hehe!! Thanks so much!! 😃💕Eyes are my favorite thing to paint I think. It’s amazing what a little bit of white can do to bring them to life!!
Love this one! The fur is just gorgeous! Interesting facts, for sure! I love cheese so I have find some Yak cheese! 😜
Thanks!! 💕😃 hehe…yeah this was a really furry one!! Glad you liked it. And too funny…after doing this one I was immediately online and searching for yak cheese! 😊
Me too!