Tag Archives: birds

Turkey vultures in cemetery

The bird we love to hate – turkey vultures

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On a recent ride in New Jersey, there is often a “committee” of turkey vultures in the same location. As they like to eat carrion (dead animals), it’s appropriate that the location is a cemetery!
I looked around for some interesting information about them and found these facts:
  – A group of Turkey Vultures feeding is called a “Wake”.
  – A group of Turkey Vultures flying is called “Kettles”.
  – A group of Turkeys Vultures resting is called a “Committee.”
  – Turkey Vultures have unusual ways to cool themselves off – they will poop on their feet to cool themselves off. The droppings provide a chemical coating that acts as a cooler. Found this info here:  https://learnbirdwatching.com/facts-about-turkey-vultures/

Of course, I “had” to sketch these flying birds (they’re related to storks, not birds of prey) to share them in this unique location! They were all on the ground until we got closer, then they started getting on top of the tombstones. Thanked them for the great poses! 😉Turkey vultures in cemetery

Japan tonal study Cranes

December art – virtual Japan

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With more time at home (I know, still!) I’ve managed to keep busy making art.

First was a virtual trip to Japan with Art Safari’s Mary-Anne.  Our small zoom class enjoyed her guidance on Japan culture, people and art.  This inspired me to finally try out a lovely Chinese ink set my cousin gifted to me last year. She has gone to China several years to teach English.  The set includes an ink stick, brushes, and two stone stamps with my name in Chinese.  One stone is made from the Yangtze riverbed. What an amazing gift to treasure, and now has been used for these tonal studies. Japan tonal study  Japan tonal study 2  Japan tonal study 3  Japan tonal study 4

Following up these with a few more tonal studies (I do adore the cranes!) and what I consider a “finished” painting. Although I’m much happier with looser results. Japan tonal study Cranes  Japan crane

Rangitoto Island

New Zealand – Auckland & Whitianga

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Finally getting down to the business of sharing this amazing trip with you! Looking back on it, every day held new and inspiring views.

Note: this trip began the last week of February, just as the first cases of the corona virus were starting in the US.  Arriving home last week, as a safety measure, I decided to self-quarantine for 2 weeks, even though I have no symptoms.

In case of any jet lag, I arrived a day early. Went across the street to walk around Parnell Rose Garden in Auckland.  Reminder to self:  They drive on the opposite side! Be extra careful crossing streets!

I could tell it was a magical place when I heard a unique sound in a cemetery on a hill, as if it was whispering to me. Stopped to sketch this tree, and then a few flowers in the gardens. Tree in Parnell Gardens  Parnell Garden flowers

The next day, the rest of the group arrived. There were 6 of us plus Karen, an Art Safari tutor, and Phil, a guide with Wrybill Bird Tours. We left to get lunch at a local bakery, to Parnell Park to enjoy our lunches in the warm sun, and then off to Devonport’s north shore to walk and sketch at Torpedo Bay. All in all, a very good start!

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island

Rangitoto Island

Auckland skyline

Auckland skyline

We sketched from here, a former military fort.

The next day, we headed to the Coromandel Peninsula, stopping at Tairua for lunch and a sketch, then on to Whitianga, in Mercury Bay.

Whitianga

Whitianga scene

Glad to have Phil as our guide, he knew where to find the birds!

 

 

Flights of Fancy journal and 2020 calendars are in!

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2020 is just around the corner, and you can order your calendar today!  These calendars are 8.5×11, and are filled with bird sketches and some of my favorite quotes!  All pages are sturdy cardstock, with black wire binding and a hole for hanging.

I’ve also made a matching journal, 5.5×8.5.  This has pages that are lined, dotted or filled with grids for you to personalize and use to doodle or write in.  Carry it with you to have it handy for those moments of inspiration!  The front and back covers are sturdy cardstock, with black wire binding.

journal lined pageJournal back coverBoth come with a robust black wire binding and both are $12 each.  Let me know how many you want!

Ready for 2020?

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2020 is just around the corner, and you can pre-order your calendar today!  These calendars are 8.5×11, and are filled with bird sketches and some of my favorite quotes!

I’ve also made a matching journal, 5.5×8.5.  This has pages that are lined, dotted or filled with grids for you to personalize and use to doodle or write in.

Both come with a robust black wire binding and both are $12 each.

Let me know how many you want!

Soaring eagle

My favorite birds of prey

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Don’t get me wrong, I really like hawks! But, I do have a favorite – the eagle.  I’m so glad they have made a comeback, and there’s quite a few here in the upstate NY area. Today, a grey and gloomy February day, I walked the Two Rivers Greenway in Endicott.  Endicott, NY island

There’s an island you can see from the bridge that goes to Vestal, and there’s a flag I always see on it.  So, I found a bench and sat down to sketch it.  I shot a reference photo, and didn’t notice an eagle sitting in a tree on the other side of the river, because a branch was in the way. I got about 3 lines drawn, when I moved my head a little and saw it. Bold as can be, an eagle looking down river. Bald eagle

He didn’t stay long, and soon took off. But, I thought it only went a little way, and went to look for it upriver. Throwing my sketch stuff in pockets, I hustled to find it.

Found him in a tree a little upriver, and oh joy! There were two! Two bald eagles

After a half hour and tons of photos, the second one  looked like it was getting ready to move, so I put my camera on movie mode.  The first video is 38 seconds, but listen, and you’ll hear an eagle screech. Chills.

 

After catching it flying away on video, I decided it was okay to leave. Seeing them was such a wonderful gift! Soaring eagle