Spring Birds at Stillwater

Stillwater on Saturday driving by the canal

I see this family of geese. Mom leading and

dad keeping watch from behind.

My photo taking didn't bother them.

I spent a couple hours sketching by these

tall wooden units by the canal.

Several people out riding their bikes and taking to the trail

so it took a while before any birds to show up.

Plenty of coots to begin with. Then some other waterfowl

and lots of blackbirds.

Interesting colors in the morning with lots of yellows

with the spring growth. I love to exaggerate the colors

and I've recently been adding plenty of black for drama.

Too many years of being timid with color, done with that.

It's just paper.

I've been using ink that bleeds to see

what surprises I'll get. I drew the tall wooden units

in brown ink and it turns burgundy with water.

These cards are for my Fallon collection

Next time I sketch out there I'll head down

the fox trail to see what birds there are.

The shelter had masses of barn swallows

and it looks like they've claimed the place

and are being left to do what they do.

There are nice benches by the water to sit on

and the birds rustle about in the reeds

and I think I'd like drawing a variety of the vantage points

in this area.

Cathie Richardson Illustration