Friday, April 25, 2025

all of nature wild and free

 all of nature wild and free telling stories as they live their lives

Between yesterday's visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and today's trip to Carburn Park, I came away with many wonderings of what stories were being told. I attempted to decipher the birds, ducks, geese, eagles and even the coyote's actions and looks.  Sometimes I like to add a twist to reality by adding my own interpretation to what is happening before my eyes!  


interpretations

After returning from my visit to The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, I created three watercolour interpretations from photos I took.  I tried to pay extra attention to the head slant and the eye thinking that would help with portraying a look that they were each giving some kind of a look.  I can actually see in each painting, they have a look of intent but I am not sure what their story might be!

Tree Swallow

female House Finch

Merlin



the chase

It was the ruckus on the river at Carburn Park that caught my attention. I did not know whether to capture photos or take a video when I realized what was transpiring.  Taking photographs was the automatic response but they do not convey the urgency of the ducks and geese to fend off the coyote.  I think I have it right with my deciphering of what took place.  



coupling up

They are free to pick who they want to be with year after year, although some species mate for life. That being said fights still take place to preserve relationships already in place and also amongst the single crowd who are still making a choice.  The males do their best to impress, in a way that seems wild.  These days it appears many have already coupled up while others are still searching for a significant other for this season.    

Common Goldeneyes

Northern Flickers

Common Mergansers



standing guard

While enjoying my time at both Inglewood and Carburn, I noticed a particular type of activity.  At times the vocalizations became more frequent and also frantic-like as I approached.  I stopped, I listened, I looked and then I saw the birds were standing close to nests.  I assumed it was the males standing on guard while the females were in the nest.  That's my interpretation of what story they were telling but I could be off as I am not able to identify a male from a female in the Chickadee family nor the Sparrow species. I snapped my shots and then took off!

Black-capped Chickadee


House Sparrows

Of course, I checked in on the Carburn Bald Ealges, the Carburn Canada Geese and the Inglewood Bald Eagles.  Lots of standing on guard was going on.  All activity appears to be as it should, progressing in a positive direction.   

male Carburn Bald Eagle standing guard


female Carburn Bald Eagle in the nest

Carburn Canada Geese both in the nest

female Inglewood Bald Eagle in the nest


These are my photos used as references for the paintings at the beginning of this post.







17 comments:

  1. Hello Alexandra,
    Your paintings are wonderful, well done. I enjoyed all your wildlife sightings and all the beautiful bird photos.
    The series on the Coyote is awesome. Wonderful photos of the bird couples! I hope the eagles nesting is successful. Thank you for sharing your link and critter post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank so much for leaving me a comment.

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    1. Thank You Eileen for your comment! There is so much to see when out & about especially when I'm out every day.

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  2. What beautiful art you've created. You've inspired me. I'll try to sketch some when we get back from our camping trip. Love the Eagle on the nest...what a sighting!

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    1. I look forward to seeing your sketches! I really enjoy coming across other bloggers who create art from what they see out in nature.

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  3. Alexandra, following your blog is just a delight. You amaze me with your energy to go out … snap some neat nature photos … go back home and create some neat art … and then put it all together in a blog post … and do it so often ... OMG, how do you do it? 😊 Amongst the delightful images in this post, my favorites are the Tree Swallow art, the Northern Flickers (what a great pose!), and the Bald Eagle. Thank you, as always, for sharing. John

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    1. The more I do and see, the more I want to do and want to see, eventually I crash, reenergize, then start all over again!

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  4. Beautiful paintings, Alexandra. Lovely photos.

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  5. We keep trying to think what the birds are up to.

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    1. It's a fun past time learning what their activity means!

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  6. Kudos to you on your artistic renditions of the birds you saw and captured in your photographs. It is already praiseworthy and can only improve with practice and the refinement of your techniques. I have no doubt that this sort of activity after the fact engenders added appreciation of the birds you observed, and you see and remember nuance that might otherwise have been forgotten. Well done!

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    1. You are spot on with what transpires while I am creating art! I see the photos in a whole different light when I look at them to paint!

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  7. Wonderful photographs and beautiful paintings.
    A joy to see.

    All the best Jan

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  8. So many happy 'couples', and curious birds, incredibly snapped and painted. Do you ever rest?

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  9. Nice interpretations of your birds! Poor coyote is looking pretty scrawny, must be very hungry go chase birds in the water. And 🤞mama eagle is sitting on egg(s). ❤️Norma

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