Stories Worth Telling: "Mac" (Inspired by Sampson)
- Kim Hannan - Artist
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
There are some subjects that capture your eye…and others that capture your attention. And every now and then, one captures your heart.
“Mac” began, quite simply, because he caught my eye.
I photographed him because he was everything you hope to find in a subject—beautiful, vibrant, stately, and just a little bit fun. Birds have always fascinated me, and a hyacinth macaw in full presence is hard to overlook.
But somewhere along the way—from lens to brush—my curiosity deepened.
As I painted him, I began to wonder about the bird behind the image. Who he was. What made him unique. And as I spent time learning more, I discovered that this wasn’t just a striking subject… he had a story.
And once I found it, I knew it was one worth sharing.
Mac is inspired by Sampson, a hyacinth macaw at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. And Sampson is not easily forgotten.
Hyacinth macaws are the largest of all parrots, native to South America, and known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and expressive nature. But Sampson has become known for something more—something delightfully unexpected.
He has a sense of rhythm!
Through an innovative enrichment program, Sampson was given the ability to activate his own music—choosing when to play it, when to stop it, and how long to listen. What followed was something that quietly shifted the way people experienced him. He didn’t simply react—he engaged. He leaned in. He bobbed. He chose.
In those moments, it became unmistakably clear: this was not just a beautiful bird on display. This was a thinking, expressive creature with preferences, personality, and presence.
And yet…
When I chose to paint him, I didn’t choose the moment of motion.
I chose stillness.
Because behind the playful energy, there is something equally compelling—a quiet awareness. A watchfulness. A dignity that deserves just as much attention as the performance.
“Mac” is my way of honoring both.
A Story Worth Watching
If you’d like to see the vibrant side of the bird who inspired this piece, I encourage you to watch this short video:
You’ll see Sampson interacting with a device that allows him to control his own music—an experience that is as joyful as it is revealing.
Why This Story Matters
The Stories Worth Telling series is rooted in a simple belief: That the natural world is not just something to observe…but something to understand, respect, and protect.
Each piece in this series is inspired by real animals—many of them living in conservancy-minded environments that support education, preservation, and connection. Their stories remind us that beauty is not surface deep. It is layered with intelligence, emotion, and meaning.
Sampson’s story is one of those.
A bird who dances when he chooses.Who engages when he’s curious.Who rests when he is still.
And who, in all of it, invites us to look a little closer.
An Invitation to follow the Stories Worth Telling
As you follow along with this series, I hope you’ll begin to see what I see:
Not just subjects…but stories.
Not just beauty…but life, fully expressed.
Because these are, truly, stories worth telling.
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