Every year I illustrate a bird for the holiday season. This year, I’m a bit early, but only because I wanted to open the Christmas Bird for purchase as a print. You can visit the ornithologiart store, and purchase a print. Available are 4×6″ for $8.00, 5×7″ for $12.00, and 5×7″ matted for $15.00. Click the photo to purchase, or simply follow the link: ornithologiart.
The American Tree Sparrow is a breeder of the high north Taiga lands. It migrates to the lower parts of North America during winter, and is a favorite feeder bird of many. I chose the American Tree Sparrow because I feel it captures the spirit of the season, and is emblematic of the winter solstice. This is a great holiday gift for any birder.
From both Caitlin and I, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Solstice. However you choose to celebrate the season, we hope you have a great time with family, friends, and of course, birds.
I’ve seen Pacific Loon in all states of plumage. I’ve always been impressed by a loons looks, but this summer I had the chance to get very close to many Pacific Loons, and really gain an appreciation for their feather composition.
I think that most consider tropical birds to be among the most decorated, and striking in plumage. Colors that come from the tropical regions of the world are truly unique, but I consider some birds of the northern hemisphere to be equally exotic, and equally striking.
The Pacific Loon in full breeding plumage is breathtaking. At close proximity, you notice the velvet appearance of the throat, and its iridescent qualities enhanced. Purple, on an Arctic bird, is awe inspiring. The ghostly grey of the head and nape always leaves me mesmerized. I think that the numerous, dense, and fine quality of the feathers gives the bird a shape and form unlike any other feathered creature. In fact, the form does not even seem feathered at all.
The patterns of the loon are of note, as they are unlike any pattern I’ve ever seen in a creature. The fine lines and stripes are neat, organized, and crisp. This sharp appearance matches well with the behaviors of the bird. It holds its head high, glances about with confidence, and dives with absolute grace. In fact, the regality of the Pacific Loon impresses me, as I admire all creatures who frequent this world in confidence and style.
In winter, it interests me that the bird seems more sleek, and thin. I’ve yet to get close to a wintering Pacific Loon. When I do, I hope to study the difference in feathers and shape, and compare and contrast the two looks of the same bird. It fascinates me, that evolutionarily, two molts have evolved for this bird, and the two resulting plumages are dramatically different.
I can’t explain my fascination with the bird any further. As I’m scheduled to frequent the Arctic summer again for the next two years, I’ll be seeing breeding loons once more. At every opportunity, I’ll record the behaviors and appearance of each individual, and communicate their beauty the best I can. As I’ll be in Western Alaska, there is a great chance I’ll happen upon the Arctic Loon. It will be fascinating to compare my images between the Arctic and the Pacific, two birds that are very similar. I suppose I’ll have to wait and see what comes about, but when it does, I’ll be sharing.
Yesterday, I travelled well out of my way with Caitlin Davis and Heidi Ware in search of a wayward Northern Hawk Owl. The journey to Moscow, Idaho from Boise is very long. Really, it’s too long if you don’t have a solid guarantee to see your target. We weren’t guaranteed, but it was a promising bet, enough to make us shoot for it.
Only minutes after arriving in town, we had located the owl. It was impossible for me to set the scene with my camera, given my 300mm lens and lack of any alternatives. I’ll have to attempt to paint the picture using words. It’s important, as the experience was quite peculiar.
For whatever reason, this hawk owl had decided to settle in the middle of town, to hunt an overgrown irrigation ditch next to a shopping center. The irrigation ditch is now unused. The area has succumbed to commercialization, with a shopping mall to the north, and what appeared to be a doctors office of some sort, and more store fronts to the south. Now the ditch serves as a remnant of a natural area, with a jogging path running alongside, so pedestrians can feel a bit of nature as they pass through the community. Here, the hawk owl felt enough nature to sit and hunt, for a few days at least. What a strange creature.
I’m captivated by bird behavior. Of all places, this bird felt comfortable enough to hunt along a busy roadside, in the middle of town. Optimal hunting habitat is not limited in the area surrounding Moscow. It’s quite rural there, with the surrounding farmlands likely boasting a host of mammalian prey.
I can come up many reasons why the bird felt comfortable here, related to presence of prey and a lack of predators, but I still think any explanation falls a bit short. It was simply one of those instances in life, a peculiarity. I’m thankful someone was aware enough to notice the strange looking bird, perched on a wire above the road.
The bird seemed to ignore we the birders, and kept about its business. It seemed focused. I was surprised by how active its hunting was. While we were watching the bird, about forty five minutes time, it switched perches over and over. It watched the ground, and would seem to come off perch in pursuit, only to fly to another perch. Sometimes, it would go to high light poles, or power lines, and then it would come low to a small tree top. There were even times it sat on the street signs.
I’ve always been intrigued with how animals interact with human society and infrastructure. This bird seemed to act as if it were a part of its daily life, to continue on its natural tasks, in the midst of a rather unnatural setting, as if it had always done so.
It was a bitter cold day here in Boise, but the Brown Creepers seemed content. I found a few flitting about, feeding along the Boise River. They were so cooperative, or they were entranced with the task of feeding themselves such that they didn’t, or couldn’t mind my attention.
Either way, I was lucky. I managed this photo of a creeper, about to consume a small meal, and move on to the next. What a great bird to watch and enjoy.
ornithologi.com 