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Thursday, December 19, 2013

Great Blue Heron Sketches

Bandon Oregon, USA:  along the Coquille River estuary
Twice recently Dale and I have parked at a little pond just yards from the Coquille River estuary along the Oregon Coast.  While Dale patiently waits for a photographic opportunity, I have an opportunity to sketch.  It is a wonderful way to spend a winter day.

The first day at the pond, the weather was mellow.  During high tide the heron spent a couple of hours resting and preening.   Then he flew off to fish amongst the rocks in the estuary.  Great blue herons have a comb on their toe which helps them in the grooming process.

The second day was windy.  The heron fished in the little pond where the water was quiet.  Fishing was awfully slow, but that made for a good opportunity for us.






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7 comments:

  1. Ineke PluimDecember 20, 2013 at 1:17 AM

    Prachtige vlotte schets!!!

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  2. Kate (Cathy Johnson)December 20, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    So beautiful, Elva...these are among my favorite birds! Are you able to get close to them or do you use binoculars or a telescope to sketch?

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    1. Elva PaulsonDecember 20, 2013 at 7:18 PM

      Hi Kate …. I was using binoculars. When the subject is on my side of the car I have the option of mounting the scope on the window and can draw hands free ….. but usually we park so the subject is on Dale's side of the car so he can photograph. Sometimes I even sit in the back seat so I can use my scope and he can photograph. The car is such a good blind.

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  3. Kate (Cathy Johnson)December 20, 2013 at 7:29 PM

    How cool, Elva! I use binoculars too but have trouble drawing and holding them...

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    1. Elva PaulsonDecember 21, 2013 at 10:12 AM

      It occurs to me, on sketches with a fair amount of detail, I often rough sketch (in pencil) the basic posture with my eyes, then use the binoculars to refine the details. Simplier sketches are usually done right in ink …. some sing and some crash, but the singers make the effort worthwhile.

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  4. Melissa FischerDecember 21, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    Beautiful sketches, and I enjoyed reading how you did them in your comments here.

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  5. LoisDecember 29, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    I love reading the adventures you have on your nature sketching and photographing outings. Your sketches add to the story.

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