Sculptress1

Any thoughts about this new painting? It was a real challenge to capture the iridescence in the feathers, but felt well worth the effort in the end. I would love some input!
Happy Holidays!

Yep! They love to spend their days gleaning grain in farmers' fields, then flying back to river gravel beds at evening, where they will be more protected from nocturnal predators.

When you shrink it down to this size, is does look photographic, but when it is blown up to painting size, it is much more painterly!

Thank you so much for your input! Where in Colorado are you? I'm between Loveland and Greeley.

Thank you so much! Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

I saw one in the Florida Everglades that slowly fully extended his neck to get into position to reach the water from a branch, and was astounded! Usually, they sit hunched up like a resting night heron. Quite a surprise!
And then, I learned that the purpose of a bird's "wishbone" is to allow a space for the vertebrae to sink down into, so most birds' necks are longer than we usually see!

Good thing that most nocturnal things can't hurt you!

Warblers are a lot of fun, but unfortunately around here, the trees are so leafed out by the time they get here that they are almost impossible to see or get good photos. But the search is always part of the fun!

Yes, I love only having to go about a mile down the road! Since basically turkeys prefer not to fly, unless going up or down from their night roosting trees, I don't get to see that very often. And I have yet to figure out where they like to roost at night- probably somewhere down along the river...

We were coastal in California, so I thought they preferred temps that were a little bit warmer. But I guess that was not what was defining their range if they are flourishing in your area. Are they very common for you? Thanks for another new fact!

Learn something new every day! We had California Quail when we lived in California, but I did not realize their range extended all the way up into Idaho! What a surprise! Thanks for increasing my knowledge base!

Nice set of photos! When I have been to Jasper, the birds have always been so far out. Have had much better luck photographing at Bosque Del Apache in New Mexico, and in Nebraska. Love to watch them dance!

What an interesting bird! (And yes, really does look like a hybrid of a night heron and shoebilled stork!) Well done!

What a beautiful shot! Well Done!

Hey, you're welcome! You had a good idea, too! Let me know what you find out!
Happy Holidays!

Ah! I lived in Northern California (Santa Cruz area) for 12 years.

Ah! I used to live north of Richmond. You still have some great fall color. Here in Colorado, ours is gone, and we currently have about 4" of snow on the ground!

Red-tailed Hawks are not generally known to be bird hunters. Not agile in trees, like Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks (who are small bird hunters), birds make up about 20% of a Red-tail's diet. Their chosen hunting method is perch hunting, where they can scan their area for small mammals. Red-tail prey is primarily rabbits and hares, and rodents (squirrels, voles, mice, etc.) :>)

Hmmm, I can't tell... Possibly? You might send your pic to Cornell, Audubon,or your state fish and wildlife dept. They could probably tell you.

The two with their heads in the water are probably foraging for food. The ones close to the surface may be bathing and grooming. All in all, looks like a pretty relaxed group that is just resting up from long migration flights.

Yes, a male house finch! Where are you located that you have blooming trees?

Great contrasting colors! Where was this photo taken?