Birbs of Saskatchetoon - Hummingbird!

A little further down the road from where the Grey Partridges startled me, I saw a hawk fly from one stand of trees, deep into another across the road. I stopped and though about getting out camera. It was just dawning on me that it was too late and that it was gone, when a small hummingbird went flying across the road in the opposite direction!? Also too quick for me to get out my camera - and too far off. In fact, it took a moment for me to realize what I’d even been looking at, it was so out of context. I’m pretty sure I’ve only ever seen hummingbirds at feeders, where they darted out of a bush, had a drink and buzzed off back to the bush. Flying as high as it was, and out in the open, my brain took a moment to realize it WAS a hummingbird and not the BIGGEST BEE I EVER SAW!? 

It was very likely a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, as I’m pretty sure they are the most common, if not the ONLY one we ever see around here in Saskatchewan… but it was far enough off, and so quick, I couldn’t really make out any details to say for sure what kind of Hummingbird! So I’m just calling it “Hummingbird” on my list! 

Hummingbird in the Birbs of Saskatchetoon 2022 Sketchbook - Volume Two! 

Birbs of Saskatchetoon - Grey Partridge

While out for a ride last weekend, I was startled by a trio of greyish-brown birbs with reddish tail parts bursting out of the tall grass beside the trail.  They veering off to the left and disappearing into the bush ahead, probably landing over the fence in the Saskatoon Gold and Country Club. I was pretty sure these were something I hadn't seen before, so I followed them through line of shrubs.  Just over the fence I saw two of them running about to and fro, clucking and squawking like idiots...? These two seemed larger, so I wondered if the three I'd initially seen were their young and these were parents running distraction, trying to draw me away from wherever the three had secreted themselves?

Grey Partridge in the Birbs of Saskatchetoon 2022 Sketchbook - Volume TWO!

There was no way to get a camera out fast enough to get the trio in flight... but I did get a couple of pictures of the two running around on the golf course.

Halfway through colouring, I realized I TOTALLY FORGOT my handlebar bag!? (Where I keep my camera!) 

They aren't great pictures, because I only took a few quick ones as there WERE golfers out there that would probably be wondering what a weirdo in the bushes just outside the fence was taking pictures of... 

Birbs of Saskatchetoon - Greater Yellowlegs

Back to Birbs of a moment... I spotted this Greater Yellowlegs a week ago under the South bridges as I was returning from a longer bike ride south of town on the east side of the river. I was actually looking at the Canada Geese when I noticed a small shore bird wandering around amongst them. 

Greater Yellowlegs in the Birbs of Saskatchetoon 2022 Sketchbook - Volume TWO! 

here are a few of the pictures I took... 

Bicycle Art - Purple Surly Karate Monkey!

Felt like drawing SOMETHING today. Wasn't sure what to draw. Thought I might do a bike portrait of my Purple Surly Karate Monkey. So I just went with that... 

(mostly done from memory, so somethings are a bit wonky... but... whatevs...) 

Purple Surly Karate Monkey! 35cmx28cm (14"x11") - ink on paper

I haven't done any critters on bikes for a while... maybe I should do more of those! 

Two Old Crows in a Tree

 

Two Old Crows in a Tree - 28cmx35cm (11x14) - Ink on Watercolour Paper

Finished this up in the wee hours to surprise Amanda on our anniversary (which is today). We have been together 27 years.

Birbs of Saskatchetoon - Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebirds are one of those birds that I'll see once a year (or two) out on my countryside-bicycle-rambles - just a shocking dash of blue, my brain takes a moment to realize "OH! BLUEBIRD!" and then it's gone! But always an exciting surprise!

As I was riding my bike south of town late Sunday afternoon/early evening, I spotted a few dozen small birds flying between nearby bushes and overhead cable. From a distance I thought they might be young Eastern Kingbirds or Swallows of some type - as I've seen lots of those in the area - but also because the late afternoon/early evening sun on their chests made it look very light and their backs contrastingly dark. But getting a closer look, especially at the photos when I got home, it clearly wasn't either! I did notice some of their wings were a darkish blue - but I always think of Mountain Bluebirds as being a lighter blue (as the breeding males are), so I hadn't even considered that! 

My friend Ryan saw the pictures on facebook and was able to help me out (AGAIN!) They were all juvenile and/or female Mountain Bluebirds! 

Mountain Bluebird in the Birbs of Saskatchetoon 2022 Sketchbook - Volume Two! 

So many little birds on the lines! 

There were more in the trees and the bushes across the road. 

Wild in the City Show

The Wild in the City show is BACK! 

The art show is done in conjunction with the NatureCity Festival. These year the theme was BIRBS.... so... Obviously I was going to be submitting a couple of pieces! 

It's a City Perks Coffeehouse this year. This afternoon Keiran and I went down to see it. There were a LOT of people there mid afternoon, so I didn't take pictures of the whole thing. There are some just gorgeous pieces! 

I'm sharing a wall with Elaine Will (and others!)!

There they are! 

Some of the other pieces. 

Obviously we HAD to get some treats! 

Keiran got a delicious looking Oreo Cheesecake and a Hot Chocolate. 

The show is up until mid-September. If you are in town, be sure to go check it out! 

Birbs of Saskatchetoon - Goldfinch

Many (MANY) years ago, Amanda and I lived on and acreage Southeast of Saskatoon. We had lots of bird feeders - including a few Nyjer Thistle seed feeders, and all summer long it seemed like there were constantly goldfinches all over those feeders. They were a bright flurry of yellow that you couldn't miss against an otherwise green and/or brown backdrop. 

Since moving back to town, I feel like I hardly ever see Goldfinches. My parents would get a few in their back yard - in a house they lived in a decade ago (it was much closer to the river, and to the edge of town). So far only House Finches come to our Nyjer Thistle (which are lovely as well!). 

I've seen flashes of yellow in the bushes along the Meewasin Trail, but they never stick around long enough to get a proper look. Never sure if they are goldfinches or yellow warblers or something else. 

The other day I definitely saw GOLDFINCHES! TWO of them! Still wasn't able to get a good picture of them! but I saw them! 

I think this is the 75th bird I've added to the Birbs of Saskatchetoon Sketchbook this year! 

Goldfinches in the Birbs of Saskatchetoon 2022 Sketchbook - Volume Two! 

I did get a picture of sorts... those yellow blobs are goldfinches, I swear! 

because I was bored, I was texting process pictures to my mom, so I thought I'd share those as well... 

MOAR Birb - Blue Jay and Norther Flickers

 Being more or less caught up, I thought I'd paint some birds on separate pages - outside of the sketchbook this past week...

Blue Jay in a Tree - 20cmx20cm (8x8), Acrylic Ink and Gouache on Watercolour Paper 

Northern Flicker on a Rock - 20cmx20cm (8x8) - Acrylic Ink and Gouache on Watercolour Paper 

Norther Flicker in a Tree - 28cmx35cm (11x14) - Acrylic Ink and Gouache on Watercolour Paper

I'm sure there will be more... 

The Prince

 

The Prince

28cmx35cm (11x14) - Ink on Paper

Lately I’ve been kind of obsessed with the art of Eric Orchard (@Inkybat on Instagram and Twitter) I LOVE the miles and miles of hatching that creates both dynamic texture and value in his drawings. It kind of reminds me of what I was trying to do in some of the early minicomics I did in the mid 90s (except, y’know far more practiced and way better executed and… with COLOUR!) Got me thinking I should have a go at doing that again… 

The picture kind of just popped into my head last night and I thought about staying up stupid late and just doing it then and there… but it was already FAR TOO LATE and despite worrying I’d COMPLETELY FORGET the idea, I woke with it still in mind, and so that’s what I’ve been doing all day… The image in my head shifted to something very plain to something inspired by Vladimir Giurescu (from Hellboy) to something more like the denizens of Ulfenkarn from Warhammer Quest: Cursed City when if finally ended up on paper. 

(which reminds me… I should FINISH PAINTING THOSE miniatures and actually get around to PLAYING THE GAME!?!?) 

I had fun with this. I don’t HATE it, I may play around with this some more… 

I'd like to do character and NPC portraits like this... If I ever got around to playing Role-Playing Games again...