Birds of the Oakland Hills

Western Bluebird
6"x6" watercolor, watercolor pencil, gouache & beeswax

Three more Birds with Attitude: Western Bluebird, American Kestrel and a Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk.

Smaller than a robin, the brilliantly colored Western Bluebird is a Navajo symbol of sunrise and renewal. Ornithologists have yet to determine bluebird seasonal migration routes. Bluebirds reappear at Sibley Volcanic Preserve in the spring.

The American Kestrel uses strong winds and updrafts at Sibley to his advantage, hovering above an open field on rapidly beating wings. When prey--a lizard, rodent or small bird--is spotted, the Kestrel rapidly tucks wings and streaks downward, head first. Most prey are caught on the ground although insects and birds are sometimes taken in flight.

It is not uncommon for Red-tailed Hawks to exhibit leucism, which results in a loss of feather pigmentation. I've seen plenty of Red-tailed Hawks at Sibley but have yet to see a leucistic one. . . here's hoping.

American Kestrel
6"x6" watercolor, watercolor pencil, gouache & beeswax

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Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk
6"x6" watercolor, watercolor pencil, gouache & beeswax

How sweet it is . . .

My first solo show, now through October at Fournee Bakery, 2912 Domingo Avenue in Berkeley across the street from the Claremont Hotel tennis courts.

These watercolor and beeswax paintings illustrate the many enjoyable hours I've spent hiking, bird watching, photographing and painting at Tilden Park and Sibley Volcanic Preserve.  

When you go, treat yourself to Fournee Bakery's delectable goodies. Tres bien! 

Open Space Series

Tilden Park one  

Claremont Canyon

Sibley Volcanic Preserve

Tilden Park two

Above the Steam Trains, Tilden Park

A few of my favorite things: hiking, bird-watching, painting . . . and painting the areas where I hike.

Some of my recent paintings:  6-inch square in watercolor and beeswax. Mmmmm, they smell ever so slightly of honey.

America's littlest Falcon

The American Kestrel uses strong winds and updrafts at Sibley Volcanic Preserve to his advantage, hovering above an open field on rapidly beating wings. When prey -- a lizard, rodent or small bird -- is spotted, the Kestrel rapidly tucks wings and streaks downward, head first. Most prey are caught on the ground, although insects and birds are sometimes taken in flight.

Last Friday, Karen and I made our first sighting of Sibley's resident Golden Eagle, hovering in the wind in the Kestrel's airspace. Courageous Kestrel, much smaller than the Eagle, flew repeated sorties from above, forcing the Eagle to hunt elsewhere.

The contenders:
American Kestrel: 8 - 12" body length
20 - 24 inch wingspan
3 - 6 ounces in weight

Golden Eagle: 27 - 33" body length
5 to 7 foot wingspan
6 to 13.5 pounds in weight

Creeping toward abstraction

Using Inktense watercolor pencils in combination with watercolors.  What a blast! Pumped up my color intensity a notch. Now I learn that Inktense aren't lightfast.  Curses! Do I care that my originals will fade and lose their vibrancy?  Yes .  .  .  and no.