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
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.
Lesser Goldfinch and Winter Weeds
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.
Cape May Warbler
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.
Blackburnian Warbler
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
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.
Golden-fronted Woodpecker
A beautiful woodpecker we saw in Southern Texas.
Persimmon Tree Visitors
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.
Yellow Warbler
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
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.
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck
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.
American Kestrel Painting
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.
American Kestrel
In the Americas this is the smallest and most colorful of the falcons.
Green Heron
Green Heron Posed 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
Every time we come across a green heron I’m inspired to work on another painting. This one was on a bank in willows.
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
The Ruby-crowned Kinglet breeds in the far north of the North American continent during the summer. In winter its range covers most of the southern half of the United States including much of California.
This little bird is always on the go as if it is constantly drinking coffee. They have a characteristic call that some liken to a small engine trying to start, but never quite making it.
A Burned Forest
Dave and I birded an area which burned last summer and I refined my field notes into this small study which I posted on the Nature Journal Club Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/naturejournalclub
I thought this would make a good subject for a poem and got a couple wonderful responses:
Joy Burton
Colors flashing through the burn,
Treasures from a former life.
Fullness of nature for which I yearn,
Flying forward to the next turn.
Survivors.
JoAnn Chambers
Even dead wood fills some needs
For pecking birds and grubs that breed.
Leafless wood reveals its grain,
Its bark exposed, awaiting rain.
Red-breasted Nuthatch
This species occurs in Central California, but we normally do not see them often and when we do they tend to be at higher elevations. We were surprised to find this one at Sandy Wool Lake at Ed Levin Park in Santa Clara County, California which is lower than we normally find them. If you are not familiar with nuthatches, upside down is a typical eating posture.
Anna's Hummingbird Chase
Anna’s Hummingbird Chase 20” x 10” acrylic on wood panel
I was inspired by watching these hummingbirds dashing through purple sage.
Savannah Sparrow
A small bird with a yellow eyebrow. These are common on the Central California coast where they can be found in grass, sedge marshes, and reedy areas. I photographed this one on a lupine plant in Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Rock Wren
Rock Wren taking a break from bug hunting
A perky wren that is normally found on rocky areas through out the Western United States and south into Mexico. It lives in arid to semi-arid areas and its diet it primarily insects and spiders. It will steal insects from spider webs. This individual was working a parking lot railing in its search for food.