Bluebirds and Ice

Eastern Bluebirds in Tennessee do not migrate, but stay with us throughout the winter. They are joined by other bluebirds from neighboring states to form small winter flocks to aid survival.

Finding food became more difficult two weeks ago, when freezing rain coated everything with 1/4 inch of ice and temperatures plunged to single digits for several days.  Though incredibly beautiful, the ice and severe cold created harsh conditions that can use up a bird's fat reserves very rapidly.

Seeing bluebirds plucking tiny ice-coated berries from the burning bush offered some reassurance that they were finding some nutrition.  I instantly wanted to paint this scene, drawn by its delicate beauty and the story of survival it represents.

For more about these sketches and the bluebirds that inspired them visit:
Winter Watercolor--Bluebirds on Ice at Vickie's Sketchbook.
For more about feeding wintering bluebirds visit:  Ice and Bluebirds--a Special Matter at Vickie Henderson Art.  

Winter Sketching

Winter is a great time to watch birds and see species that we don't otherwise get to see. I've had several irruptive species at my feeders lately. Pine Siskins and Purple Finches are known as irruptive species because they only periodically migrate south when the food they need is unavailable in northern climates.  

We had a dusting of snow last Friday with temperatures 34 F degrees.  There is something welcoming about snow that pulls me outside to watch birds when the temperature is tolerable.  They seem to be less shy and come closer.  

While I was trying to sketch Pine Siskins, I heard chipping under the hemlock and turned my binoculars in that direction.  This beautiful Hermit Thrush was cocking his tail and wing twittering while chipping in the shadows.

For more about this sketching experience visit Winter Sketching at Vickie's Sketchbook.