Acorn Woodpecker

Northern Waterthrush

Northern Waterthrush is one of many exciting rarities that may be found migrating through Santa Clara County this time of year. I was fortunate to find one at Vasona Lake Park last week, but I couldn’t find complete happiness until I celebrated by drawing a portrait of the bird in colored pencil.

Flammulated Owl (final)

Flammulated Owl

This gallery contains 8 photos.

Pileated Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker in colored pencil. My first drawing in several months… It’s been too long.

Peregrine Falcon 3

Peregrine Falcon (step 3) I think this is done. At least I’ve done as much as I know how. I’ve now drawn this bird three times, each time making small improvements. My hope was that it would appear as if it was launching downward, lifting it’s wings up for another huge stroke downward toward its prey. The talons are ready to attack…

Peregrine Falcon 2

Peregrine Falcon (step 2) I’ve redrawn the bird because after holding it at various angles, and looking at it in the mirror (a good trick!), it looked all wrong… I’ve also begun to think more about the position of the head and the bird’s gaze. I still don’t like it… I wish I had some good photo reference.

Peregrine Falcon 1

Peregrine Falcon (step 1) Rough sketch for general position. This is a tough composition… I want to show this bird in a full downward thrust as if it has just launched from a perch and is locked on its prey.

Mourning Dove 2

Mourning Dove portrait in colored pencil is now done. I was inspired to do this after I showed a young boy one on the ground a few feet away from us. I asked him to tell me what colors he saw. He said “tan and gray”. I told him to look closer and tell me what colors he saw now. “I see blue, and gold and PINK!” Mourning Doves are beautiful, I told him, and their name comes from the sound of being sad. And I thought to myself, how sad it was that we don’t admire them more.

Mourning Dove 1

This has another evening of work to go before it’s done, but here it is so far. Sorry, I forgot to post earlier stages, but there’s at least one more. I’m having so much fun with this beautiful bird, so many subtle colors…