Twenty Shades of Robin

Do-Something-Everyday, June 30, 2016

Ball pen sketches from observations of a couple of robins in the backyard. They stayed perched on a tree stump for several minutes and were so close to where I was standing with my camera that I could not resist taking several pictures. Seeing their many expressions, I had to sketch them. I am planning to rework them into a more formal drawing/painting at some point.

Linked to Paint Party Friday. Thanks for Kristin and Eve for hosting.

Birds Galore!

I had this wallpaper swatch printed from Spoonflower using my own painting of red finch, a bird commonly found in India. 

I had no need for a wallpaper but I used it to cover the switch plates in the kitchen. My kitchen walls are off-white. So, these red birds offer a touch of whimsy that is pleasing.

Speaking of birds. With the advent of early spring, my backyard has been abuzz with activity, which I was able to capture rather happily with the new 300mm lens for my Nikon D7000. Take a look.

It started with this white breasted nuthatch scampering on this tree trunk. It snowed on that day.

This robin looked rather colorful against the snow.

It started with these two Canadian geese floating by serenely one mid-afternoon on the Hackensack river.

Then it turned into this catfight!

Some ferocious action in my backyard too. This pileated woodpecker looked like he was going to chop my tree down. I have to throw stones at him to drive him away.

Big birds are magnificent but it is the small birds that make me happy to see them. 

Here is dark-eyed junco. The light was good enough to capture its bright black eyes.

And its cousin, the common sparrow.

Female and male cardinals.

Finally, this tufted titmouse on a bare pear branch.

Linked to Paint Party Friday. Many thanks to Eva and Kristin for hosting.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Spring!