Painting Days

The latest etching was an experiment, the moose in our back yard 11 years ago. First on buff paper, it was it was headed for the burn pile because it folded up like an accordion when I painted it. So I printed another edition on heavier white paper and painted that one. The water is acrylic paint. Then Saturday I rescued the buff one,  ironed it flat a dozen times and added colored pencils and pastels. ( I actually used that iron for clothes a few times, Good Will $4.99) It worked! Next - Pair of Bald Eagles, also in our yard.

"Our" Great Blue Heron

I could always tell our resident heron for years by her missing back toe on the right foot. Now I see it is simply tucked under for some reason, a deformity I guess. Wow.

Merlin Visitor

Down by the river this Merlin flew right to me from across the slough, 5 feet over my head and begged and begged. I thought he must be a falconry bird with that band, but turns out it's a research band from somewhere. Merlins are usually only around here in the winter (plus spring and fall) so a nice surprise. 

And still there yesterday, so unafraid, still begging and curious when I threw a little falconry lure with a quail leg attached. I love this bird, and appears to be the black subspecies (suckleyi).

Got This One Today

Osprey and a sucker (that's the fish, not me)

Awwww!

 Baby Black-billed Magpies from a while ago. Right out of the nest.

Brand New

Just finished this drypoint etching "Moose Splash." An experiment and printed four on a buff-colored paper that turns out, didn't like paint and buckled up with the wet gouache. So printed on the heavier standby Rives BFK 280g. Then painted the splash with acrylic, added pencils and pastels and voila! 16 by 12 inches, first mammal since New Years Eve 2024 (the fox.)

Lucky Day

One of the fledgling Great Blue Herons landed just across the river yesterday and caught 5 or 6 little fish, I lost track. And hundreds of photos pared down to 60, further editing today. But first a run to Stevensville to pick up frozen chickens for the eagles. Hey, it's Sunday!

Magpie/Peregrine

 Found these shots, minutes apart of a Black-billed Magpie and Sibley the Peregrine in 2016

What? Another Heron Photo!

Love this bird!

Bald Eagle On the Beach

Just now and she seems to like standing on one little log in the middle of the river. Flew 30 feet over my head, tame as cat, to quote my dear friend Nick Dunlop.

And Great Blue Heron nearby.

Eastern Kingbird

This little songbird loves to chase raptors, here in my yard in the same place, a Northern Harrier and Bald Eagle. See him in between the eagles wings in that last shot? HA!

Today, Dad and Fledgling

 Our Bald Eagles.

Awwwww!

 Cute little pigeons, just out of their eggs hours old. Just kidding about the cute.

And the fledgling Great Blue Heron was waving at us yesterday. Kidding again and just scratching her head.

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