The warm weather that we had in early to mid March has been replaced in NE Ohio with more seasonal temps and the cool weather seems to have frozen or at least slowed down their bud breaking process. I have always been fascinated by the way leaves are packaged in buds and by the colors of the small unexpanded leaves. Here is a sketch of tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) breaking bud and hosting one of our most beautiful warblers - the cerulean warbler (Setophaga cerulean). When tuliptree first breaks bud you can see that the leaves are packaged by perfectly folding the oddly shaped leaves in half and shrinking them.
I am hoping that the cool weather sticks around so I have some time to sketch some of my other favorite trees breaking dormancy.
Beautiful Cerulean warbler! You captured one of the characteristics of warblers that I love, the way they let their wings droop while perched and singing. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would LOVE to see one of these...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sketch!
ReplyDeleteOutstanding sketch, Nathan!! Beautiful plumage on the Warbler!
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty bird very life like drawing the blues are captivating. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent sketch, Nathan! You've caught the bird and the tree and even the caterpillar just beautifully!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming sketch!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great sketch, Nate. How fortunate you are to have that bird as a neighbor. And your observations of the buds are second only to the sketch of them. Well done!
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