Backyard Macro Safari
May is a great time to get all your migrant birds. Once June and July roll around there is a bit of a let-down when everything flies past. At that point I usually start looking for nests around the yard … Continued
Common Ground Dove Watercolor and Ink Step-by-Step
The Common Ground Dove isn’t a bird that I’ve been around my whole life. I’ve only encountered them while on trips to Florida. I really enjoy these beautiful little birds. This particular one was sitting on the dikes between flooded areas at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.
Dark-eyed Junco Pencil Sketch p46 (Rant on Drawing in Public Places)
Dark-eyed Juncos make these long Michigan winters seem to go by a tiny bit faster. I grew up in Western New York where we had these friendly birds year round. Here in mid-Michigan they disappear in the spring and return … Continued
Blue Jay Transparent Watercolor Painting Step-by-step
I have a lot of mixed feelings about Blue Jays. They are undeniably beautiful and intelligent birds, but they have a lot of ugly behaviors. Maybe that big brain just causes too much trouble? Blue Jays can empty a feeder … Continued
Cold American Robin Pencil Sketch p45
Like the last post, I got photos of this American Robin in the backyard in the early spring. This poor guy was really unhappy with the snowfall and cold snap that settled in. I put out some mealworms to cheer … Continued
Eastern Towhee Pencil Sketch p44
This male Eastern Towhee showed up a few weeks early last spring. I’m assuming that it is the same male that shows up super early in our yard every year, but who really knows. Maybe its the place to be … Continued
Tan Jumper–Jumping Spider Pencil Sketch p43 (Platycryptus undatus)
I realize that spiders aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some people get the creeps from these little guys. I’m often asked how I decide what to draw and paint. In all honesty I just do whatever has my interest at … Continued
Dimorphic Jumping Spider Pencil Sketch p42
One of the best things about homeschooling the kids is that we can have class outside on the picnic table when the weather cooperates. That improves everyone’s mood. I’m pretty open to “teachable moments” when a distraction is worthwhile. Springtime … Continued
Magee Marsh Yellow Warbler Pencil Sketch p40
The Crane Creek, Ohio area is a favorite migrant hotspot in the Spring. Warblers are plentiful. We took our children for the first time this year. They had a blast and saw a handful of life birds. I brought … Continued
Halloween Bird Hats!
I have the coolest kids in the world. Every year they request an unusual costume. Inevitably it is some sort of animal. In the past requests have been bear, penguin, Red Fox, shark, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Keel-billed Toucan, Tocu Toucan, Great … Continued