Turkey - Georgia Turkey

I never saw Turkeys until I went to Georgia in 1988 to Fort Benning, Georgia.  I came a round a corner of some bushes and a large pine tree, and there was 15 Turkeys.  I was calm and walked slowly about ten feet behind them.  We walked together.  They were aware of me but not too concerned since I was moving slowly.   We walked together for about 20 yards and then they veered right and I continued straight on.  It was the closest I had ever been before or since.  It surprised me then and now, since Turkeys are smart and skittish.  So I will always cherish my walk with Turkeys.

Brown Thrasher

The state bird of Georgia, plus Yesterday's bird the Northern Bobwhite is the other.  I guess their state legislature wanted to share the wealth on state birds.    It is the only state I know of with two birds.   I actually saw this bird in Virginia.  I saw more Turkeys in Georgia than any where else.  So the Turkey will be tomorrow's bird.

Northern Bobwhite

This is a colored pencil sketch of the Northern Bobwhite.  They are little ground dwelling birds.  They are mostly known as a game bird of the south.  Though all the time I lived in North Carolina and Georgia, I never saw one.  It was not until I moved to Maryland did I see one.

Brown Pelican

This is a Brown Pelican colored pencil sketch.  I saw these in New Orleans and out in California.  In this instance, the body looked more black to me than the brown so that is how I captured it.  Part of being an artist is to set aside your preconceptions and actually see colors and shapes instead of assuming the brown bird would show up as brown.  You have to train yourself to see the shapes between the wings and legs i.e the negative spaces.  I use these sketches to practice and to work out these relationships.  Plus it works as a meditation for me.

Downy Woodpecker

This is another woodpecker,  This is the Downy Woodpecker.  We saw these in Utah and in Maryland.  They are a nice spring/summer visitor, except when they knock on the house.

Northern Flicker

I am continuing with the bird theme.  This is a colored pencil drawing of a Northern Flicker feeding its young.  I have seen these in Maryland, Colorado, and Utah.  It is a common and interesting bird.  Birds are the easiest wildlife to observe and I like these little dinosaurs.

Mourning Dove

I love the quiet coo of the Mourning Dove in the morning,especially the summer mornings before the heat builds on a clear day.  The dove can be found around the world, in different species but all related.