A colorful bird that breeds in the Western United States and winters in Western Mexico. This one was photographed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California near Yuba Pass.
Burrowing Owls
Burrowing Owl Pair 16” x 16” acrylic on wood panel
Cranes in Flight
Cranes in Flight, 12” x 24” acrylic on canvas
The Sandhill Cranes put on a show for us when we visited Merced National Wildlife Preserve in January and they inspired this painting.
White-crowned Sparrows and Blackberries
White-crowned Sparrows and Blackberries, 16” x 16” acrylic on wood panel
The White-crowned Sparrows returned to out yard in September and these handsome sparrows begged to be painted.
Mourning Doves
Mourning Doves and Eucalyptus 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
Mourning Doves great subjects to work with because I can paint them in small groups or pairs.
Western Tanagers
Western Tanagers 20” x 10” x 1.5” acrylic on wood panel
I look forward to the return of Western Tanagers from Central America each spring. The males are brilliantly colored but because they like to perch high in trees and deep in the foliage they are often hard to find.
Hooded Orioles and Oranges
Hooded Orioles and Oranges 12” x 24” acrylic on wood panel
Hooded Orioles visit our yard each summer and often perch in one of our orange trees.
Mountain Bluebird
The striking Western Bluebird is found over much of western North America. This photograph was taken norther of Truckee, California.
Jays in the Wind
Jays in the Wind 10” x 20” acrylic
This piece was a commission for a client who wanted to thank her son for caring for her during difficult times. She particularly likes Steller’s Jays.
Red-flanked Bluetail (Tarsiger cyanurus)
This is a photo of the sixth known occurrence of this bird species in California. It appeared in a small park near the beach in Santa Cruz.
Varied Thrush
One of my favorite Santa Clara County birds. We don’t see them every year because they can be scarce and they are usually hard to spot. They usually appear in our area in the winter months. We saw this one in a county park near where we live.
Thistle Fantasy
Thistle Fantasy 12” x 36” acrylic on canvas
I love working out designs with multiple species of birds. Here a mixed flock of American Goldfinches, House Finches and an Anna’s Hummingbird scavenge in wild thistles
Cedar Waxwings and a Robin
Cedar Waxwings and a Robin
The madrone berries are ripe and we have been lucky enough for find several flocks of Cedar Waxwings. There is usually a Robin also enjoying the fruit. This painting was part of a commissioned pair of paintings.
Quail Covey
Quail Covey Diptych 20” x 20” acrylic on cavvas
We often see quail in elderberry bushes and I love the combination of soft blues and greens.
Garden Sage
‘Garden Sage’ diptych 36” x 24” acrylic on canvas
I had so much fun playing with an arrangement of various birds which use the Mexican Sage in our yard.
Burrowing Owl Pair
Burrowing Owl Pair 20” x 10” acrylic on wood panel
This painting was inspired by a pair of Burrowing Owls we came across last month at Shoreline Park in Mountain View, CA.
Warblers and Pistache
Pistache and Warblers 16” x 16” acrylic
The Chinese Pistache trees outside my Los Altos, CA, gallery burst into color each fall and their berries attract hundreds of yellow-rumped warblers. It is inspiring
Summer Sierra Birding
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.
California Quail in the Summer
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.
Warbler Sketches
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.