Thanks, James, on all counts. I’m glad you are enjoying these watercolor birds. And thankful we’re all enjoying the benefits of birding in so many ways.
Ring-billed Duck makes so much more sense for someone looking through a scope at a duck a football field away
Awe walks. It's what birders do. Cool for someone to study it and give it a name. It's exactly what keeps me happy and clearheaded on a day to day basis.
It’s so true! Or pointy headed duck maybe 🤔 Glad to hear you agree with me that birding = awe walks. I would be a much less pleasant person without them!
Your artwork is spectacular 😍. It is so refreshing to share the love of birds with other humans. I encounter so many ppl throughout my days that could care less. I work for a Greenhouse. I travel bc I'm a district mgr. In northern PA. I absolutely love waterfowl. I actually help rescue them and birds in spring. So many fall victim to cats or storms knocking them out of nests. If at all possible I always put them back but there are those times when it is impossible. I love your pictures. The snowy owl one is absolutely beautiful. I was sitting in the parking lot of a Walmart (that has the worst deforestation out of all the locations we sell to) and a beautiful hawk came diving in out of nowhere for "lunch". I didn't see what he got but NOBODY EVEN NOTICED. It is absolutely crazy how many ppl don't even notice the big guys. The crows are a delight to watch anywhere. They're so so smart and the way they play with each other is so cute. If ppl knew how smart most of these birds were (smarter than most of them in my opinion lol) I think they'd have a chance of heart. Education is the key. We should be teaching conservation in school just like every other class and you should have to pass to graduate. That is my wish for one day.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Autumn. That encounter with the Snowy Owl was such a special day and I’m so happy it came through in the photo. I love that there’s so much science now focusing on the importance of our connection with nature. It’s affirming what we know, and makes me a bit more hopeful for the future. ❤️
Beautiful artwork and photos. I do enjoy your illustrations and your courage to paint.(I have always been to insecure to paint). I believe I have participated in “awe walks” as far back as I can remember. A degree of curiosity and awareness of my surroundings, especially of the “natural” world, that had me noticing beings and landscapes that others never noticed.
Ring-necked Ducks are uniquely beautiful birds—gorgeous how you captured it in your artwork, love the Wood Thrush too.
I’ve never heard of awe walks, but you are correct in pointing out that’s exactly what birding is.
Thanks, James, on all counts. I’m glad you are enjoying these watercolor birds. And thankful we’re all enjoying the benefits of birding in so many ways.
Ring-billed Duck makes so much more sense for someone looking through a scope at a duck a football field away
Awe walks. It's what birders do. Cool for someone to study it and give it a name. It's exactly what keeps me happy and clearheaded on a day to day basis.
It’s so true! Or pointy headed duck maybe 🤔 Glad to hear you agree with me that birding = awe walks. I would be a much less pleasant person without them!
Your artwork is spectacular 😍. It is so refreshing to share the love of birds with other humans. I encounter so many ppl throughout my days that could care less. I work for a Greenhouse. I travel bc I'm a district mgr. In northern PA. I absolutely love waterfowl. I actually help rescue them and birds in spring. So many fall victim to cats or storms knocking them out of nests. If at all possible I always put them back but there are those times when it is impossible. I love your pictures. The snowy owl one is absolutely beautiful. I was sitting in the parking lot of a Walmart (that has the worst deforestation out of all the locations we sell to) and a beautiful hawk came diving in out of nowhere for "lunch". I didn't see what he got but NOBODY EVEN NOTICED. It is absolutely crazy how many ppl don't even notice the big guys. The crows are a delight to watch anywhere. They're so so smart and the way they play with each other is so cute. If ppl knew how smart most of these birds were (smarter than most of them in my opinion lol) I think they'd have a chance of heart. Education is the key. We should be teaching conservation in school just like every other class and you should have to pass to graduate. That is my wish for one day.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Autumn. That encounter with the Snowy Owl was such a special day and I’m so happy it came through in the photo. I love that there’s so much science now focusing on the importance of our connection with nature. It’s affirming what we know, and makes me a bit more hopeful for the future. ❤️
I love your paintings, they are so beautiful, they make me feel like I am in the presence of the birds.
And awe walks are definitely what we do, I look forward to listening to the podcast. My wife recommends the same to me when I am a bit cranky 😅
😂 phew! I’m glad it’s not just me then. Our spouses know us well, and know what helps us calm down it seems!
Thank you so much for your very kind words. That makes me so happy that my love of these birds is coming through in the brushstrokes.
Happy birding!
Great photos and illustrations - especially that Snowy Owl from 2020 - such an awesome photo.
Beautiful artwork and photos. I do enjoy your illustrations and your courage to paint.(I have always been to insecure to paint). I believe I have participated in “awe walks” as far back as I can remember. A degree of curiosity and awareness of my surroundings, especially of the “natural” world, that had me noticing beings and landscapes that others never noticed.
That duck raft was something else! That was just a snippet of it--the entire raft wouldn't fit in one frame and we estimated it to be ~3000 ducks.
And yes! I love that you and your pooch are enjoying awewalks together, and love how that sounds as one word 😁
if they’re still hanging about this weekend I’ll try to get a wider shot and I’ll send it to you!