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.
Rufous-capped Warbler
A perky small warbler that resembles a wren in the way it keeps its tail erect. These were common in Jalisco state in and around brushy areas.
We found this little beauty on the side of the road near San Sebastián del Oeste. We later saw others on our drive up to Cerro la Bufa.
Five-striped Sparrow
A few years ago, I posted a photo of this species on our blog. I ran into these and don’t know why I did not include them because they really show off features. This sparrow barely makes it into the United States and has only been found in Arizona, mostly south of Tucson. It mostly occurs in Western Mexico.
Scarlet Macaw
We were visiting Costa Rica to see birds for part of the trip and meet with our daughter’s family later. We were all together on the balcony of a rental house at Punta Leona when these two macaws happened to fly by. Fortunately, my daughter saw them early in their flight as they headed towards our location. This allowed me enough time to get the camera out.
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.
Black-billed Mountain-Toucan
Black-billed Mountain-Toucans
Black-billed Mountain Toucans live in small groups in the higher elevations of the Andes. We saw a very active pair foraging in the epiphytes on our last trip to Colombia.
Mountain Bluebird
The striking Western Bluebird is found over much of western North America. This photograph was taken norther of Truckee, California.
Japanese Cranes
Japanese Cranes acrylic on canvas 12” x 36” x 1.5”
This painting was a commission for a client who wanted a crane group to represent her family.
Elegant Trogon
The Elegant Trogon, a neotropical species, barely makes it into the United States. During the summer breeding season, it is found in Texas and in southeast Arizona. The call sounds like a muted barking.
Scaled Quail
I have seen this bird in the past, but I have never had a good look because it was too far away, or it was close, but in a high-speed run. This one posed for me for several seconds.
We just returned from eight days of birding in Arizona, a few days in and around Tucson and the rest of the time in Portal, AZ. I will get some of my better photos on this blog over the next week or two.
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.
Backyard Bird Sketches
These are quick sketches I did for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society fundraiser
Blue-necked Tanager (Stilpnia cyanicollis)
A colorful tanager that occurs in northern South America.
Southern Emerald-Toucanet
Southern Emerald-Toucanet 20” x 10” acrylic
We had lunch at a restaurant in the coffee triangle region of Colombia and these two toucanets didn't seem to mind all the activity in the parking lot.
Tropical Parula
The beautiful, but shy Tropical Parula. In our 10 days of birding in Colombia, we only saw them a few times. This one was photographed near the town of Soatá, Colombia.
Golden-fronted Redstart
A common western warbler that we encountered in the Western and Eastern Andes.
Hawaiian Endemics
Hawaiian Endemics 12” x 24” acrylic on wood panel
Last December we birded on the Big Island of Hawai’i at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and we observed numerous I’iwi and Amakihi foraging in the Ohi’a trees.