This blog is devoted to showing photographs and paintings of birds, and it is our hope that these images create interest in the enjoyment and the conservation of this diverse group of animals. Your comments are appreciated. If you like a photo or painting, please consider giving it a heart. Your input helps us to understand what our viewers want to see more of.
Summer Sierra Birding 12” x 24” acrylic on canvas
Each June my husband and I take a birding trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This painting grew out of sketches I made after a magical hike near Yuba Pass where highlights included White-headed Woodpeckers, Western Tanagers, Hermit Warblers and MacGillivay's Warblers. It was a memorable day.
The Yellow Grosbeak is related to the Northern Cardinal. This species occurs mostly in Western Mexico, but its range does extend south into Northern Guatemala. This photograph was taken near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Quail in Summer 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
Seeing quail run across the path makes me smile. This week I am working on paintings of quail against dry vegetation.
Wilson’s Snipe 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
We were lucky to come across several groups of Wilson’s Snipe last winter. They have so much personality and begged to be painted.
This species is found mostly in Mexico and parts of Central America. It just barely occurs in the United States and is found in the Southeast corner of Arizona and the Soutwest corner of New Mexico. This one was seen at Ramsey Canyon, Arizona.
Red-shouldered Hawk 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
I was inspired by this bird soaring low through the Sycamore branches. Later I discovered he had been collecting nesting material.
I have seen this species many times. I have seen both sexes many times, but this is the first time I have captured both sexes in the same image.
This species shows up on the Central California Coast in late April. They are fairly common but they are overlooked by many because they blend into their environment very well. This is true even for the bright blue male.
We’ve been lucky enough to come across Lawrence’s Goldfinch several times lately. I particularly enjoyed seeing them forage in the yellow-flowering fiddleheads. This is a page from my nature journal
I participated in a timed challenge to find and draw as many birds as possible in a short period. I concentrated on warblers and vireos and Dave and I were lucky to find a variety of them foraging in a group of oak trees.
Winter Weeds 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
We were birding along the edge of a dry open meadow and came across a flock of Lesser Goldfinch scavenging for the last of the winter seeds.
Whenever I see this pretty warbler I think that someone smeared raspberry jam around its eyes. This one was seen in Northern Ohio in 2018.
The male Blackburian Warbler is one of the more striking U.S. warblers. This photo was taken in Northern Ohio in 2018, This one could be a resident breeder or on his way to more northern areas.
California Towhee Pair 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
Cautiously curious, Venturing out together, California Towhee Pair
We usually see California Towhees in pairs. They like the edges of brushy areas and they do seem curious as they venture out in the open.
A beautiful woodpecker we saw in Southern Texas.
Persimmon Tree Visitors 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
Our persimmon tree attracts lots of birds when the fruit is ripe in November. A Nuttall's Woodpecker, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Anna's Hummingbirds were all busy feasting while I made the sketch for this painting.
I know another Yellow Warbler, but I cannot help myself. It is such a pretty bird that lends itself well to photography. The bright all yellow face with the black piercing eye makes these attractive birds. This one was photographed on South Padre Island, Texas in 2018 and is heading north to breed.
Northern Harrier 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
No matter how often I spot a Northern Harrier, it's always thrilling to watch one gliding silently low over the fields, almost skimming the tops of the grasses.
This duck is common in the U.S. southern states. This photo was taken in Southern Texas. They are named after their call which sounds like a whistle.
Kestrel Flight 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
I watched a kestrel take off from a sycamore branch and was inspired by the way the colors of the falcon mirrored those of the dry leaves and blue sky.
In the Americas this is the smallest and most colorful of the falcons.