Large wading birds are such a delight! Long, sinuous curves of neck and wings, plumes during the courting season of spring and early summer, and angular legs and beak all combine to make an interesting subject. Add some nice lighting, and you’re set!
This pose was adapted from a photo I got permission to work from, capturing a pose I’ve seen countless times as these lithe creatures “re-oil.” Oil glands at the base of the tail are dipped into then spread over their feathers to keep themselves from getting “wet to the skin” each time it rains or water splashes from their fishing expeditions. (You may have noticed that they don’t keep up with the latest in Polartec and Gore-tex?)
This painting was juried into the Kentucky Biennial National Wildlife Art Exposition in Henderson, KY, Sept-Nov, 2012.
Large wading birds are such a delight! Long, sinuous curves of neck and wings, plumes during the courting season of spring and early summer, and angular legs and beak all combine to make an interesting subject. Add some nice lighting, and you’re set!
This pose was adapted from a photo I got permission to work from, capturing a pose I’ve seen countless times as these lithe creatures “re-oil.” Oil glands at the base of the tail are dipped into then spread over their feathers to keep themselves from getting “wet to the skin” each time it rains or water splashes from their fishing expeditions. (You may have noticed that they don’t keep up with the latest in Polartec and Gore-tex?)
This painting was juried into the Kentucky Biennial National Wildlife Art Exposition in Henderson, KY, Sept-Nov, 2012.