Spirits in Wood

At Rest

This was a project carved with famed bird carver Glenn McMurdo. This bird is seen along the ocean shore and inland in meadows, lawns and golf courses with long reddish legs hunting for worms and other critters. When on the nest and disturbed it will race away on long legs dragging a wing, acting if injured, to lure a possible predator away from its nest. The long legs of this particular little bird are folded under as it sits at rest….or maybe on a nest?   [View]

Desert Sprite

This is one of the smallest but most colorful of the warbler’s who spend their winters in the desert southwest. The black cap, greenish cape and yellow body will catch your eye as it moves through low bushes, up and down the branches, constantly actively searching for food. I tried to capture a non-conventional pose with one wing draped lower than the other trying to capture a sense of movement for this active little bird.   [View]

Scrub King

This is a common and very active bird found in oak and pinyon-juniper habitat of the west coast and into the eastern rim county of Arizona. It seems they are never at rest and fly together in small, loud flocks of birds working an area constantly looking for food. They are truly the “kings of the scrub”! I wanted to capture that alertness and motion, giving the viewer a sense that the bird is about ready to fly but also placing it in a low-to-the-ground habitat where something edible might be found.   [View]

Lookout

This is a common Falcon found in the desert and canyon country of the west. It is at rest and relaxed with puffy chest, belly and flank feathers covering the flight feathers and folding over the toes. But, it is still alert keeping watch, perhaps seeing another bird in the distance with its head elevated and focused on something in the distance. I wanted to capture a bird in a relaxed, yet vigilant and alert pose.   [View]