Eastern Bluebird
Evening had come and I had migrated to my front row seat in preparation for the evening’s performance. I got comfortable in my old lawn chair positioned mere inches from the edge of the front porch. With a blanket laying across my lap, camera atop the blanket, and binoculars swinging from my neck, alas I was ready. Within seconds the numerous feathered performers had returned and the incredible evening show had begun. I had been waiting for the grosbeaks to return for days, so imagine my delight when I caught a glimpse of the first one earlier that day, calling out to Wes “They’re here!“
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
I didn’t have a camera with me the first time I saw them, so it quickly became my mission to capture some photos of them. Sitting in my lawn chair that evening, I was able to get several great photographs and am planning to do a miniature painting of them.
At one point there were three of them on the feeders, jostling for the best eating spots. Their striking plumage of black and white, with the brilliant bright red bib on their breast, paired perfectly against the complimentary spring green leaves in the backdrop. It was a splendid sight indeed!
Suddenly one of the gorgeous azure blue grosbeaks flew down to the feeder and I was beside myself. Slowly I picked up my camera, zoomed in and got several nice photos before he flew off. I had seen him several times in recent days, but never had my camera with me. As you can see from the photo below, the goldfinches have turned that cheery lemon yellow which the males do in spring. The yard is full of color once again!
Blue Grosbeak and Goldfinch
Still watching the feeder closely, I noticed a small warbler fly down to a limb close to the nearby water feature. I slowly grabbed my binoculars and saw that it was a yellow-rumped warbler. Would I be so lucky as to be able to get a photo of it before it flitted off, and the answer was yes! I actually got a couple of nice photos and will definitely have to paint him as well.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
While my front row seat affords me a great view of the feeders, it’s somewhat in a dangerous location concerning the hummingbirds, since it’s between two of their feeders. The entire time I’m sitting there, the ruby-throated hummingbirds are zooming back and forth inches in front of my face and right above my head. I almost feel as if I should be wearing safety goggles at times…Ha! There is a red geranium sitting atop a table to my left, and occasionally one of the tiny hummers feeds from it. However, each time I try and photograph one, the little stinker takes off. But alas I will keep trying and hopefully one day get that pic I so desperately want!
Of course there is almost always doves walking about the grounds feeding on fallen seeds from the various feeders and looking so beautiful.
There are several birds already nesting on our property, the bluebirds, swallows, house finches, chickadees and others. But I especially love the eastern Phoebe, as she has built her soft, moss-filled nest on top of the bat house, where I can easily watch and photograph her.
Yesterday our adorable resident chipping sparrows started building a nest at the pinnacle of our grape arbor. A lovely location indeed and it should be very well protected as the grape leaves grow and thicken. It’s just off of our back porch, so I can can watch their construction progress and be able to see them feeding their babies, whilst I’m standing at the kitchen sink. It’s amazing to watch them weave and interlock the tiny twigs and bits of moss with their beaks, something we’d find difficult doing with our hands at times.
One evening, while sitting on the front porch, three bunnies darted out from the woods, ran across the grass, underneath the porch and back out into the yard, where the chase commenced down the wooded hillside. Sometime later, one of them reappeared at the edge of the woods and spent a bit of time nibbling on the tender grass.
And of course many times the real show stoppers are the squirrels! Our squirrel we affectionately call Bonzo, went crazy whilst I was recently looking out the window. He rolled and writhed on the ground, spinning in circles and flipping up into the air. Then he grabbed a small pinecone, and began kicking it with his back feet as he spun around on the ground. He looked like one of those spinner fireworks, and it was absolutely hilarious to watch. Once he had safely rendered the pinecone helpless, he started bouncing off of nearby tree trunks and flipping into the air again. If you’ve ever spent any time watching squirrels, you too know that squirrels love to play just for the sheer joy of it . . . Oh . . . to live life more like a squirrel!
Wes and I had the joy of meeting with our dear friends Sharon and Tom again this past week. We met at a lake located halfway between us, where we enjoyed a delightful picnic, whilst watching the numerous waterfowl and of course doing a lot of chatting and laughing. We also took a relaxing several-mile walk along a nearby greenway. It was a wonderful day and we’re all looking forward to our next meet up!
Another day we had to do a few errands in town, so we stopped by a park on the way home for a picnic by the lake and a short hike. We were joined by a couple of feathered friends for lunch, and while we didn’t feed them, they chose to hang out with us anyway. Each time other geese got too close to our prime picnic spot, the two of them would honk loudly letting them know of their intentions of not sharing. It brought much joy to our little outing and was very entertaining to say the least. Who knows, perhaps we’ll be meeting up with them again in the near future.
IN THE STUDIO
I’ve made some more progress on my miniature painting of two white pelicans. I must admit that it’s been terribly hard to stay inside the studio, when it finally feels like spring outside and we can work in the gardens. We both have also been painting on pieces for juried shows, so we can share those with you once the jury process has completed.
SEE OUR PAINTINGS IN PERSON THIS WEEK
Wildlife Wonders: A Juried Exhibition of the Society of Animal Artists
Now through June 9th at The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ
EXQUISITE MINIATURES is now open at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago Academy of Science, in Chicago, IL where it will remain on display through June 2nd.
Now online: 32nd International Miniature Show
May 4 – June 1, 2024: Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC
The Art of Miniature XXXII
May 5 – June 15, 2024: Snow Goose Gallery, Bethlehem, PA
Galleries Currently Displaying Our Work
Gallery by SEWE, Charleston, SC
Picture This Gallery and Framing, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada (2 paintings)
Up Against the Wall Gallery, Kingsport, TN (3-4 paintings)
visit our WEBSITE artofwildlife.com Email us
Until Next Time ~ Rachelle
Under the Magnifying Glass 