You never know what you are gong to see around the neighborhood! On my walk the other day, I looked up and was mesmerized by the graceful birds circling overhead. Two of them swooped down and landed in a tree about 40 feet away from me. Much to my amazement–they were Bald Eagles!
One was a huge adult with a pure white head and the other looked like a juvenile with splotchy brown and white feathers. The splotchy one was considerably smaller. I was able to quietly walk closer to them as they sat at my eye level in a tree growing down the side of the steep hill. What an unforgettable experience!
We live in an urban neighborhood near a bluff that overlooks the Willamette River. The bluff is a natural area, populated by field mice, small rabbits and many birds–great hunting grounds for raptors. I often take a small camera and sketchbook on my walks but the day I saw the eagles, I didn’t have them with me. I ran home and grabbed my camera, but by the time I got back to the spot, they were circling in the distance. I did this sketch based on the photo I took. Now I always go on my walks prepared!
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
What a fabulous experience and lovely painting from it.
Beautifully drawn! Shows how high the sky is so well, and the birds are just soaring freely
Eagles are so cool to see in person! Giant talons and just amazing flying agility for their size. Great sky in this drawing, and I like the varying wing positions on the birds. Nice!
Great experience and lovely sketch too ! I love the moody atmosphere in the sky !
It a wonderful painting and subject;
we’ve recently had a golden eagle sighting in Wales,they are normally confined to Scotland so this is great xx
Thank you Sue, Alex, Marco, Martine and Claire! It was indeed an amazing experience. I am glad that you enjoyed my sketch.
Lovely Janene and great clouds
What a wonderful experiencce – not likely to happen to me as we don’t have those great birds here! Your sketch conveys your experience just as you describe it.
I love this, the composition, the sky everything!
I love everything about this! It’s a shame you missed the other photo, but I have a hard time believing it would have made a better subject than this one.
This is beautiful! And a wonderful way to capture such a great event.