Pistache and Warblers 16” x 16” acrylic
The Chinese Pistache trees outside my Los Altos, CA, gallery burst into color each fall and their berries attract hundreds of yellow-rumped warblers. It is inspiring
Greater Roadrunner
We visited New Mexico recently and saw a lot of this species. I was excited to see my first one, but later we saw them all over the place.
American Goldfinch and Thistles
Thistles and Goldfinch 12” x 12” acrylic on canvas
A Flotilla of Male Hooded Mergansers
Seen on the Central California Coast
Foggy Marsh
This painting was a commission for a couple who had fond memories of hiking through the local wetlands
Crested Caracara
A highly opportunistic bird that forages usually forages on the ground, feeding mostly on carrion, but it will eat reptiles, fish, palm fruits, etc. It is found from the Southern United States to the southern tip of South America.
This species is a member of the falcon family.
Egrets Flying Low
Egrets Flying Low 16” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
No matter how often I see Snowy Egrets flying low over the water it is always magical.
Summer Sierra Birding
Summer Sierra Birding 12” x 24” acrylic on canvas
Each June my husband and I take a birding trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This painting grew out of sketches I made after a magical hike near Yuba Pass where highlights included White-headed Woodpeckers, Western Tanagers, Hermit Warblers and MacGillivay's Warblers. It was a memorable day.
Yellow Grosbeak
The Yellow Grosbeak is related to the Northern Cardinal. This species occurs mostly in Western Mexico, but its range does extend south into Northern Guatemala. This photograph was taken near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
California Quail in the Summer
Quail in Summer 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
Seeing quail run across the path makes me smile. This week I am working on paintings of quail against dry vegetation.
Wilson's Snipe
Wilson’s Snipe 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
We were lucky to come across several groups of Wilson’s Snipe last winter. They have so much personality and begged to be painted.
Yellow-eyed Junco
This species is found mostly in Mexico and parts of Central America. It just barely occurs in the United States and is found in the Southeast corner of Arizona and the Soutwest corner of New Mexico. This one was seen at Ramsey Canyon, Arizona.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Red-shouldered Hawk 10” x 20” acrylic on wood panel
I was inspired by this bird soaring low through the Sycamore branches. Later I discovered he had been collecting nesting material.
Lazuli Bunting
I have seen this species many times. I have seen both sexes many times, but this is the first time I have captured both sexes in the same image.
This species shows up on the Central California Coast in late April. They are fairly common but they are overlooked by many because they blend into their environment very well. This is true even for the bright blue male.
Lawrence's Goldfinch
We’ve been lucky enough to come across Lawrence’s Goldfinch several times lately. I particularly enjoyed seeing them forage in the yellow-flowering fiddleheads. This is a page from my nature journal
Warbler Sketches
I participated in a timed challenge to find and draw as many birds as possible in a short period. I concentrated on warblers and vireos and Dave and I were lucky to find a variety of them foraging in a group of oak trees.
Lesser Goldfinch and Winter Weeds
Winter Weeds 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
We were birding along the edge of a dry open meadow and came across a flock of Lesser Goldfinch scavenging for the last of the winter seeds.
Cape May Warbler
Whenever I see this pretty warbler I think that someone smeared raspberry jam around its eyes. This one was seen in Northern Ohio in 2018.
Blackburnian Warbler
The male Blackburian Warbler is one of the more striking U.S. warblers. This photo was taken in Northern Ohio in 2018, This one could be a resident breeder or on his way to more northern areas.
California Towhee
California Towhee Pair 12” x 12” acrylic on wood panel
Cautiously curious, Venturing out together, California Towhee Pair
We usually see California Towhees in pairs. They like the edges of brushy areas and they do seem curious as they venture out in the open.