Stephanoaetus coronatus.
A large and powerful eagle found in forested regions of Central and Southeastern Africa. Feeds primarily on mammals including monkeys, forest antelope, hyraxes, mongooses, and bushbabies. Large lizards and snakes are also on the menu, as is the occasional bird.
Thanks so much for looking at birds with me.
Accipiter gentilis.
Again.
We’ve looked at this bird together before, and I’m grateful for another opportunity to share it with y’all again. North America’s largest species of Accipiter hawk. Found in forested areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and even northernmost Africa. They feed on a wider variety of prey animals than other Accipiter hawks. Birds, small mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles make up the menu.
This was a fun one to paint. I took my time with it over three weeks. Having made a few portraits of this species in recent months I felt it was past time for a full scale illustration of the bird in acrylic paint on a birch panel. So here we are.
Thanks so much for looking at birds with me again.
Accipiter trivirgatus
The Crested Goshawk is found in Southeast Asia. Their short, broad wings and long tails are adaptations for maneuvering through trees to pursue prey. They feed on birds, small mammals, and reptiles. The females are larger than the males and lay 2-3 eggs at a time.
Here’s a time lapse edit of my project. Music: Grateful Dead 5/77.
The Bateleur Eagle, Terathopius ecaudatus is an interesting colored bird with a very short tail. Found in decreasing numbers across sub-Saharan Africa. They cover large territories of upwards of 250 square miles. They both hunt and scavenge on these vast expanses. Taking small birds and mammals as well as carrion. They seem to prefer snakes, and have developed very rough scaled feet to protect them from bites.
Bateleur Eagles mate for life, and lay one egg per clutch. Eggs are incubated by the female for 42-43 days. While they are usually found in alone or in pairs, they have been spotted in groups of up to 20 birds. Their closest relatives are the Snake Eagles.
This is my first painting in my Raptors of the World series that I’ve completed since moving back to Illinois. I stretched this project out and enjoyed it. Spending the days between brush strokes with family and friends. I was also able to utilize the vast collection of birds at the Field Museum of Natural History. Eagles have a hold on my imagination a lot lately. Next I’m going to look at Wedge-Tailed Eagles from Australia.
Thanks for looking at birds with me.
Sooty Falcon, Falco concolor.
A Red-tailed Hawk I came upon at work. Quite generous to hold still for me to play bird paparazzi.
It stayed in my thoughts on the bus ride home and when I got home I tried to put these thoughts to page.
I should mention I’m enjoying these softer pencils. Starting with B and getting into 8B in the end. Fun to smudge around and really work with.
Until recently I’ve only ever used Bic mechanical pencils. Nothing wrong with them, but I’m feeling better results with these now.
It was over the course of last week I put this together. However it’s been on my mind for the last two and a half years.
They are surrounded in history with legend. I too have a few good tales to tell that has an Osprey drawn into it.
I went out for another adventure on two wheels this week. 23.6 miles of highway, gravel roads, and dirt/rock single track. Pedaling down the railroad tracks on my way home I met this great bird. Watching me with suspicion as I fumbled about for my camera.
I imagined a conversation between us as I tried to get a worthwhile shot with an ill-suited camera.
“You’re not from California are you?”
“No I would reply, adding, I’m from Illinois, and I’d take a picture or three of an Illinois Hawk to so, that’s not a fair point”.
The Hawk flew away after I had snapped a few pictures and wasted the moment thinking about talking birds on telephone wires….again.
I wish I could take you to where I was standing. The dirt under my shoes where I stood. Head tilted back. staring up at an open sky watching a single hawk fly.
Imaginations turned it into more, as imaginations will do.
Feathers are brushstrokes on the sky and I always forget to look at it.
What was the color?
I liken it to my consistent failure at remembering names of people I’ve just met.
“Althea? My name is Ben, It’s very nice to meet you…”
farnco illustrations 