Drawing - Rose Breasted Grosbeak

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Male) - Graphite on Paper
Copyright Nicole MacPherson, 2009

I sure look forward to these birds arriving in the spring! They usually arrive just before the orioles, and have the most beautiful song. The males are very conspicuous in the trees, red spots on bright white chest. They're more skittish than many of the birds, and aren't usually willing to come to the feeders nearer the house, preferring to eat seeds on the ground.

I enjoy drawing dark birds. It's more work, uses more pencil (and eraser!) and is more complicated - must only work down and to the right, or else pencil will be smudged EVERYwhere! But I find it easier to draw than the lighter birds. I must have a heavy hand with the pencil!

Drawing - Draft Horse in Grass

Draft Horse In Grass - Graphite on Paper
Copyright Nicole MacPherson, 2009

Something a little different...

Birding trips include a lot of non-bird sightings. I know there are birders that make birding goals and take pride in long tallies and "species lists" for their trips. I've kept these sorts of records, but list length has never been an indication of a "successful" trip for me.

One of my favorite trips was a three day sojourn to Riding Mountain National Park over Thanksgiving weekend. No mammals seen, the only birds I remember were Ruffed Grouse and Gray Jay. But the weather was to die for, the scenery awesome, and there was almost a total lack of other people.

But I digress. Most of our trips are for birding. But I don't stop for every bird I see. And lots of things capture my attention. I'm a sucker for cloud formations, and colorful grass. Cows and horses are sometimes more common than the birds! That's fine, I like them all!

Upgrade - American Goldfinch

Another upgrade, in place of a new drawing!

American Goldfinch - Pencil Crayon on Paper
Copyright Nicole MacPherson, 2009

Upgrade - Blue Jay

No new drawing, but something a little different! Next step will be real backgrounds!

Blue Jay - Pencil Crayon on Paper
Copyright Nicole MacPherson, 2009

Drawing - American Goldfinch

 American Goldfinch - Graphite on Paper
Copyright Nicole MacPherson, 2009

Goldfinches aren't the first colorful birds in the spring around here, but I sure look forward to their arrival! Since they come to feeders, watching them is much easier than trying to follow warblers in the trees! Like all birds, goldfinches bicker a LOT. But they still look so sweet.