Bird Feeder Sketching

I'm so excited!  Our feeders are once again in place and the birds have found them. We are coming up on our second winter in this house.  I didn't want one more to go by without the joy of watching birds right outside of our window.

I've designated a Stillman and Birn Gamma Series Journal to record feeder notes and sketches.  I'm in heaven :)  Every spare moment I have on the weekends is spent at the kitchen table, looking out the window observing bird antics and sketching.  Sketching supplies include a pencil, Micron pen, waterbrush, watercolor pencils, a Sibley bird guide and binoculars. 

To read my notes, please click image to enlarge - this will work for all of them.

 So much nature happening at my window.  All I have to do is sit back and watch :)

Our neighborhood has a flock of turkeys.  Actually, the flock consists of a hen and 17 poults.  They visited the back yard off and on over the summer.  The poults are as big as the hen now and they, too, have discovered the feeders. They can certainly make a mess out of the mulch. 

Today, I was able to sketch while standing right at the window.  This requires patience as the birds are always moving.  Up to this point in my life I haven't had many dealings with wild turkeys, especially this close.  As I sketched, I noticed that they have a protrusion on their head between the eyes.  What's that called?  What is loose skin on their neck called?  Why do some have more feathers (very short but there) on their heads and necks?  I so love questions raised by looking close at a subject when sketching.  Off I went to my collection of bird books.  Please click on my journal pages to get the answers :)

I do have one correction to make.  The book I looked at said the loose skin on their necks is called a dewlap.  Friends in the know have told me it's more often called a wattle. 

I urge you to get your sketch books out and sit close to a feeder.  You'll come away quite refreshed and peaceful.  Great food for the soul.  And, remember.... this is your journal.  This is where you practice observation and trying to recreate what you see.  Accurate sketches may not happen right away, but over time you will see your progress.  One of my goals is to practice the camera technique.  That's when you view a bird pose, close your eyes and don't open them up until you turn your head to face your sketch book.  Then sketch what you saw from memory.  I'm having a bit of trouble with this.  Most of my trouble comes from not trusting myself.  The tufted titmouse on the first image is sketched using this technique.  'Oh well!'  Next time I might remember more :)

A Spring Art Parade--Vickie Henderson

Not exactly your Easter Parade, but these young Wild Turkeys are like works of art parading through my yard.  Each one of them uniquely decorated with expression and those curious skin enhancements.      

The last flock of turkeys that visited was composed of sub-adult males or jakes, all at different levels of maturity, giving them uniqueness both in skin enhancements, color and expression.       

They are definitely fun subjects to sketch!

For more views of this sketch page visit A Turkey Work of Art at my new blog, Vickie's Sketchbook.
You may also enjoy visiting Wild Turkeys--A Happy Ending at Vickie Henderson Art to read more about  how we nearly lost our wild turkeys and to see more images and sketches of these fun backyard visitors.  .