Monday, June 25, 2012

Bay-breasted Warblers at Magee Marsh...

I always look forward to seeing Bay-breasted Warblers as they migrate through our area (Cincinnati, Ohio) in May. Their beautiful chestnut-colored flanks and black mask are striking, and they are not quite as hyper as other warblers as they move through the branches gleaning insects, so I usually get wonderful views of them. Problem is they are few and far between around my house, so when I headed up to Magee Marsh this May for The Biggest Week in American Birding warbler festival, I had my fingers crossed that a few would head my way (and did they ever, along with almost every other warbler possible!)...

Bay-breasted Warbler along the boardwalk at Magee Marsh during "The Biggest Week in American Birding" warbler festival. 
Yesterday while trying to decided what kind of post to put together for Birding is Fun, I got my sketchbook out from the trip to see what kind of sketches I had drawn of Bay-breasted Warblers. I thought if I found a few sketches I liked, I'd paint a few paintings...

...sketchbook entries from the Biggest Week in American Birding (Magee Marsh in Toledo, Ohio).



I liked a few of the sketches, so I grabbed my watercolors and headed outside on the deck to paint. It was gorgeous outside--warm but not too hot, and a pair of Cedar Waxwings were overhead in the mulberry trees trilling and buzzing and chirruping in their special way. Listening to the birds while painting was nice. I even heard a Bobwhite (which is incredibly rare for our neighborhood. I haven't heard one since 1992!! The Bobwhite called out his name six separate times before moving on). In all, I did three quick watercolors of a Bay-breasted Warbler...




...if you have a chance next year to attend The Biggest Week in American Birding, don't hesitate! You will be amazed at all the warblers you'll see!

                   Happy Birding!
                             Kelly

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful sketches and paintings of a gorgeous warbler Kelly, well done!

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  2. What a beautiful warbler! I just saw the one in fall plumage during the Midwest Birding Symposium. I'd love to see one as you photographed, sketched, and painted so beautifully!

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  3. Your sketches and water colours are amazing...what a wonderful talent!!!

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  4. Your sketches and paintings are just too gorgeous. I'm so glad you share your inspirations.

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  5. Love your sketches and paintings. And thanks for the info about the symposium!

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  6. Your sketches are absolutely amazing! I wish I could sketch half as well as you!

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  7. Kelly, your posts are always such a delight! Your sketches and watercolors are so very beautiful! My how talented you are. This post makes me want to pull out my sketch pad and prismacolors and draw some lovely feathered friends. How wonderful it must have been for you to see so many gorgeous warblers at Magee Marsh.

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  8. Kelly, I love the way you capture the light in the bird's eyes! Well done! Love these paintings and the sketches too. The Biggest Week sounds like it was a blast! I can't imagine seeing that many warblers at once!

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  9. Julie....you should pull out those prismacolors!! I'd love to see your bird art.

    Kathie....you'd love the festival. So many people you know were there too! :-)

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  10. Kelly, you have the gift in your sketches and watercolors to make the bird come more alive and present than photos ever could!

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