Tag Archives: birds

Jays are Jammin’ the Blues

When a bunch of blue jays get together, you know it. This one particular section of the mulberry tree in my backyard is a favorite place for jam sessions. I saw this group in the bare branches, noising it out like a random atonal brass quintet, and went to get my pastels and paper to […]

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Subtle Colors Under Overcast Skies: Biding Time

February may be the shortest month, but it seems the longest in its often dull, overcast days when winter seems to have overstayed her welcome. Imagine that waiting game for the wildlife in our midst. The mourning doves are just sitting quietly, taking it all in, possibly knowing that, in time, this too shall pass. […]

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Winter Birds, Framed Set

In winter I have feeders visible from just about every window. Watching the birds gather, mill about, eat, leave is like watching waves or fire, the constant motion mesmerizing and meditative. I visualized these sketches over years looking out my doors and windows at the birds gathering on my walk or in my trees, and […]

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Shop Small, Shop Handmade on Small Business Saturday

Shop Small, Shop Handmade! Small Business Saturday gifts for $20 and under inspired by cats, nature and wildlife. Visit Portraits of Animals for unique handmade gifts. Visit my Handmade Gift Gallery. Visit Books.

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Holiday Greetings from the Backyard Birds

I truly love winter paintings because the light is wonderful without the shadows from trees, the reflections from the snow illuminating shadowed areas with soft purples and blues, and the patterns made by bare branches are mesmerizing. This set of four paintings of birds are ones I’d done “from life”, actually standing at a window […]

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Watching Birds in Snow

These birds were actually pecking around in the snow under a bird feeder, but their random order and little shadows were intriguing. This was done en plein air—but not outside so I wouldn’t cause the birds to fly off. In winter I have feeders visible from just about every window. Watching the birds gather, mill […]

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The Mourning Doves Are Biding Their Time

The sun is shining, the deep cold is lifting, and the mourning doves are just sitting quietly taking it all in. What do doves do all day? Just kind of hang out waiting for something to happen? The doves always seem to have some purpose beyond just sitting there, but sit they will for hours, […]

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December Nature Desktop Calendar: Accent

Cardinals brighten my back yard all year round, and are especially brilliant on a snowy day. My back yard is a registered Backyard Wildlife Habitat and I have let brush and brambles fill in at the corners; this cardinal is in a tangle of wild grapevines with a fresh fall of snow. This was done […]

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Backyard Birds Holiday Greetings, Set

I truly love winter paintings because the light is wonderful without the shadows from trees, the reflections from the snow illuminating shadowed areas with soft purples and blues, and the patterns made by bare branches are mesmerizing. This set of four paintings of birds are ones I’d done “from life”, actually standing at a window […]

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A Walk to the Grocery Store

Some of my favorite photos ever, from last year on this day. I dropped my car off for inspection at a station just blocks from my house and took a morning walk from there to the grocery store on that dark and foggy morning. The sun rose and the fog lifted as I walked through […]

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