I can remember the moment when I first became fascinated with shorebirds. It was in the movie, "The Sandpiper" with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton sometime in the 70's. Yes, I'm afraid I'm THAT old! Watching those little sandpipers try to outrun the incoming waves rather set the tone for me. My husband and I lived in Monterey on the central coast of California where the movie was filmed. From that time on I enjoyed watching, naming and photographing the different species of shorebirds in the area. There are many different kinds of Avocets which is the one in the painting. This one is the American Avocet, and I understand they get an orange-ish coloring on their neck and head during mating season. They're quite the striking bird with their black and white coloring and scooped bill.
Painting is available at DailyPaintworks
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Thank you for looking, and have a great week everybody!
I always thought watching ( and knowing ) birds was fascinating , and this one is so masterly painted . The layering of the feathers is beautiful and the way it walks makes it so recognizable . Beautiful rendering of the water too !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane, for your kind comments! I agree that birds are fascinating! The legs of this bird (Avocet) are quite long considering his size. Maybe 9 - 12 inches. He is just walking in deeper water.
DeleteQuite the striking fellow(?) isn't he? You did a beautiful job as always; I enjoyed finding all of the different colors in the water:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Libby, that he's beautifully colored! Rather bold with that black and white. The reflections were fun...lots of colors in the water.
DeleteI love the colors on this beautiful bird, Carol!!! Your work with the feathers is excellent... as well as the puddles...NICE WORK!! on the sad news.. I also remember quite well "The Sandpiper" with Elizabeth Taylor!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilda! I'm so glad someone else remembers "The Sandpiper." I thought the scenery in it was stunning!
DeleteHow stunning is this type of Avocet - wow! I love the colors and the way you painted the reflections.
ReplyDeleteThat beak amazes me. It must be for a purpose. Do they dig up
things from the sand?
I didn't realize, Julie, that there are many different kinds of Avocets, all a little varied in their patterns or color. Yes, the beak is to scoop up bugs, plants and even crustaceans like shrimp. Not a bad diet.
DeleteWhat a delight, that Avocet could be in our yard, we have had rain for three days and more in the next two days or even three, Love the action his posture gives and the water technique.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean. Generous comments. It was a fun piece to do.
DeleteAaugh! More rain. Better than snow anyway, right?! Boy, the west could surely use any rain they can get.
Beautifully done! Love watching shore birds run to and from the water. You've captured a beauty and that bill is perfect.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, thank you very much. I read where one of the largest migration stopping point is the Great Salt Lake in Utah. I understand literally thousands of birds will gather there at certain times.Would be fun to see!
DeleteGreat painting-- just the right amount of detail. Love the pure colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Your paintings are always an inspiration for me!
DeleteHow lucky you were to live in such an idyllic spot and have all that wild life so close, and of course the painting is spot on as usual!
ReplyDeleteWe were very lucky, Diana. Those were good years as we raised our son during that time in that environment.
DeleteLove those blues in the water.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. I hadn't painted water in quite this way before so it was fun to see how it worked. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteLove the subject and beautiful rich colours!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Helen! I certainly appreciate your ability to identify the shapes in your still lifes and paint them so beautifully. Your artwork is delightful!
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