28 January 2015

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Red-bellied Woodpeckers always remind me of my dad--he loves the genus Melanerpes. This male  visits my backyard suet feeder daily, always announcing its presense with a grumpy "churrr" call.

Crystal, Hennepin County, Minnesota

28 January 2015

17-18 January 2015

Sax-Zim Bog weekend

Common Redpolls were abundant throughout the bog, in flocks along the roads and fighting at the feeders. We had to be patient for our only Boreal Chickadee, but the looks were worth the wait of this confiding fellow. The biggest flock of Evening Grosbeaks I have ever seen (about 100) frequented Mary Lou's feeders in the northwestern part of the bog.

Sax-Zim Bog, St. Louis County, Minnesota

17-18 January 2015

13 January 2015

  

Amercian Mink

We were lucky to see the work mink running along the creek bank with prey in its mouth before it vanished into the vegetation. This image was based on some quick sketches I did on sticky notes.

Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Minnesota

13 January 2015

12 January 2015

 

Sumac

Sketching sumac on a sunny, not-too-cold morning. Snow falling off the trees in fluffy clumps as White-breasted Nuthatches chatter.
Walloon Lake, Charlevoix County, Michigan

12 January 2015

11 January 2015

Blue Jay

I love Corvids (crows and jays). This Blue Jay seemed to be watching me as much as I was watching him as he used his strong bill to scrape away snow from the feeder.
Walloon Lake, Charlevoix County, Michigan

10 January 2015

6-7 January 2015

 

White-breated Nuthatch

Here's series on my process of sketching and then layering the watercolor. In this case, I sketched it from life on one day then the next day, I painted using a photo I took as a reference for color.

Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Minnesota

6-7 January 2015

5 January 2015

 

American Tree Sparrow

Every morning at work, I am greeted by a musical flock of these elegant sparrows.

Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, Minnesota

5 January 2015