My Bird Drawings

[greendog]

When I go looking for birds (or any wildlife) I like to take my sketchbook and try to make a few drawings of what I find.

I'd like to share some of these drawings here in the birders forum. The drawings are quick "rough" sketches made "live" with the birds in view and moving around. Some day I might try to turn some of them into finished paintings but right now the weather is improving , the birds are returning , and I'm having a blast just being outside enjoying it all.

I'll post the drawings individually as sub-threads with a short written description of each one. I'll also post them to my journal.

[greendog]

1. Five Geese

Five Canada Geese, drawn from the dam at Ninepipe Reservoir near Ronan, Montana.

[greendog]

2. Bald Eagle

An adult Bald Eagle. Drawn at Ninepipe NWR in Montana. In the same tree, just below, was another Bald Eagle...a first year juvenile. They both took off to join another adult as I was working on this drawing. I was surprised they stayed long enough for me to get this drawing started. I was pretty close to them.

[greendog]

3. Freezeout Swans

I drove over to Freezeout Lake by Choteau, MT for the spring migration. Thousands of Snow Geese, Pintail Ducks, and Tundra Swans. I drew these Tundra Swans as the sun was beginning to set behind them.

[greendog]

4. Western Meadowlark

This Western Meadowlark was sitting quietly on a fence-post one chilly morning, fluffed up for warmth. About 28 degrees. Duck Road - Flathead Indian Reservation.

[greendog]

5. Double Crested Cormorants

From the Cormorant Colony at Ninepipe NWR.

[greendog]

6. Great Horned Owl

I found this Great Horned Owl while I was scoping a Cormorant colony. The Double Crested Cormorants had returned to their nests on the little islands in Ninepipe Reservoir...but I noticed that one of the Cormorants' trees was missing it's birds. Upon closer inspection I found this Owl in a "borrowed" Cormorant's nest. Below the Owl is a colony of several hundred Ring Billed Gulls.

[greendog]

7. Great Horned Owl 2

Another drawing of the owl I found a couple weeks ago.

[greendog]

8. Red Tail Hawks

Last year, on my weekly drive to Missoula I noticed a pair of Red Tail Hawks nesting in a tree alongside US 93. The nest wasn't exactly built on the best branch of the tree and a late spring wind storm blew it down.

This year I've watched that same tree and last week saw a new nest. This one is built on a branch next to the trunk. Much more secure.

I went back today to draw them. The drawing above is the male. The drawing below is his mate.

[Imalittleteapot]

9. Very nice.

Thanks for sharing.

[greendog]

10. Thanks for the compliment...

...with any luck I'll get to do some more drawings this weekend. I think I spotted a Trumpeter Swan nest from the highway a couple days ago. I'll probably check it out on Thursday.

[greendog]

11. Osprey

I noticed the first Ospreys returning around April 5th. Today, it looks like most of them are back. This one was eating a fish while I drew.

[greendog]

12. Great Horned Owl 3

The Great Horned Owl that I found on March 31st had company today. Some late arriving Double Crested Cormorants were occupying all the other nests in the tree.

[greendog]

13. Great Horned Owl 4 (w/ nestling)

While I was watching the Owl today a nestling poked it's head out of the nest to take a look around.

[Theres-a]

14. These are wonderful

Thank you for sharing them.I've always wanted to go to Montana.Someday.....

[greendog]

15. Thanks...

Late September is the best time to visit Montana. The crowds are gone and the weather is usually very nice.

[Quakerfriend]

16. Your stuff is just terrific!

Do you sell your artwork?

[greendog]

17. Thanks Quakerfriend,

No. I don't sell my work.

Right now, I'm just trying to get outside and draw as often as I can. Maybe later I'll find time to produce some work for sale.