Baltimore Oriole Pencil Sketch 8/11
We have had a lot of orioles coming to our three jelly feeders this summer. There is one male that has the brightest orange I’ve ever seen on an oriole. He is more of a fiery chrome orange rather than … Continued
Scarlet Tanager Pencil Sketch
For 9.5 and 6.5 years old our kids are pretty good birders. While doing homeschooling at the kitchen table one day, my daughter Kelly excitedly yelled out “scarlet tanager.” Despite my initial skepticism, she was right! Just outside our kitchen … Continued
Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pencil Sketch 2
In the spring and summer we have an almost continual flow of these attractive birds at the feeder. We often hear them cracking away at the white-striped sunflower seeds that we put out for them. For a few reasons they remind … Continued
Fox Sparrow Pencil Sketch
Fox sparrows are striking birds. We often have them visit our yard in the spring. Typically they stay in the underbrush kicking up leaves to find food. This cooperative bird came right up close to have a peek under the … Continued
Andean Cock of the Rock Pencil Sketch
I always like getting in some sketching when I go to natural history museums. This Andean Cock of the Rock was in the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. I question the realism of the display having a grape vine as … Continued
White-throated Sparrow Pencil Sketch
Its hard not to like these beautiful birds. They aren’t terribly showy or colorful, but they have an attractive mix of browns, whites and blacks with a perfect touch of brilliant yellow in front of their eyes. This one is … Continued
American Robin Pencil Sketch
It seems to me that the American Robin could use better PR. Its true that they aren’t as flashy as the European Robins and they lack the spectacular calls of some of the other thrushes. Robins are in virtually every … Continued
American Goldfinch Pencil Sketch
Few things are as cheery as the American goldfinch. Their friendly call and rollercoaster-like flight add to their obvious visual appeal. We have an almost constant stream of them at the thistle feeders. They like to nest in the blackberry … Continued
Eastern Phoebe Pencil Sketch
I always love seeing these attractive birds in the our yard. They arrive after a long Michigan winter, bringing the promise of nice spring weather.
American Robin Nestlings Pencil Sketch
Every spring the kids and I like to search around the lawn for bird nests. The robin nests are easy to find. You can watch the female collect and carry grasses and mud, then follow her to see where the … Continued