I think that I last painted one of these when I was about 12. It has been on my “To Do” list for quite a while because they are such charming birds. I look forward to the White-throated Sparrows return every spring. … Continued
I’m a big fan of dragonflies. To draw them, I take tons of photos for reference. I also have some dead ones that I use for reference on tiny details like wing venation. I typically use a 200-400mm lens with … Continued
Calico Pennants are beautiful dragonflies. Their spots vary in color from yellow to bright red depending on age and gender. Adult males have red, heart-shaped spots on their abdomens. Original painting is available here. Prints are available here.
These are pretty common dragonflies, but they are simply spectacular. Their eyes alone seem to have at least seven or eight colors on them! Those beautiful eyes, striped body and transparent wings made for a fun painting to work on. … Continued
The warm weather has finally arrived in Michigan. That means that the damselfly and dragonfly season is finally here! Unfortunately we are also up to our armpits in mosquitoes. Speaking of unwanted arthropods,we are being overrun by ticks. Up until … Continued
I drilled out a few logs with my drill press to make a more natural looking suet feeders. I tend to hang them at a 45º angle with the suet hanging below to discourage some of the “junk birds” like … Continued
Although they are really common, there is something endearing about white-breasted nuthatches. One winter day almost twenty years ago, my wife and I went to a local park where chickadees were acclimated enough to humans to eat out of our hands. … Continued
Another step-by-step through the creation of a Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly in transparent watercolor. Original painting is available here. Prints are available here.
I’ve been lucky to see a variety of rattlesnakes over the years. I’ve seen eastern diamond backs, pygmy rattlers and massasagua rattlesnakes. I spent a lot of time in NY/NJ looking for timber rattlers with out much luck. I knew … Continued
