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Ailsa's Where's my backpack birds, approaching the magic hour, Love of Birds, Love of Nature, Studying birds, Walter Anderson, Wordpress Weekly photo challenge Joy
A hummingbird would compliment the heliconia/ginger/angels trumpet painting!
(detail) Watercolor – Pelican study
“The heart is the thing that matters, the mingling of the heart with the heart of the wild bird:to become one with the thing I see.” Walter Anderson
Pelican Harmony
In late June, when I mentioned Walter Anderson, (Timeout: Happy in Nature) many of you had never heard of him or his brilliant and diverse body of work. Anyone familiar with his paintings and story would probably say that the birds were his favorite subject. (Anderson/Ocean Springs Mississippi 1903 -1965)
from APPROACHING THE MAGIC HOUR by Agnes Grinstead Anderson
At times the birds on the river have such a profound effect on me, that I often compare my experience to Walter Anderson’s joy for the birds. Once while using a friend’s kayak, I paddled up river and eased into a rookery tucked within hearing distance of my house.
The chatter and whimperings of my feathered friends from afar was a sweet tonic; to witness the cacophony live and in person jolted my senses into high alert!
Although the birds dotted the outside edge of the mangroves, I never dreamed that so many species of birds crowded this dense habitat! With mouth agape, I rejoiced and mingled with the birds as they adjusted to my presence.
night herons nested beside egrets; egrets nested beside ibis…
What joy it was to sit with the paddle across my lap and camera in hand as the birds flitted from tree to tree and peered from almost every branch
The overpowering smell of ammonia shocked my olfactory nerves, although I easily adjusted!
Ah, the mangroves provide visual comfort!
The outgoing tide nudged me into retreat, as did a flashing-red battery on the camera! I bid farewell to the birds and ambled home while basking in the memory of my visit.
Did you ever wish you could walk into the forest, hold out your hand and have a trusting bird alight in your palm? Imagine snow falling around you, the quiet hush of the wilderness, and the hungry bird wishing for a few morsels of food. With the click of your cursor, you can experience this magical moment through Donna – GardenWalk/Talk’s talented hands!
Final lagniappe for my journey home!
Visit Ailsa’s page for an amazing assortment of posts with this week’s bird theme, then appreciate the many varieties of JOY for the WordPress weekly theme! Birds, birds and more birds – I think I’ll add a bird to the painting in progress!
A hummingbird (watercolor above) would compliment the heliconia/ginger/angels trumpet painting!
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
very beautiful – like the pelican watercolor one the most – and I like the small narrative you add with the pictures – nice.
Thank you very much for adding my bird feeding adventure in your post. Your paintings are so beautiful, I just don’t know how you make them so realistic in watercolor. As a painter myself, it is a medium I could never get that photographically close to real life. I need a more forgiving medium where I can take my time with every brush stoke. Amazingly beautiful Lisa. I would so love a kayak trip for bird photography like you have taken too.
You do a wonderful job and the time you have spent practicing shows. Beautiful.
Such beautiful watercolors, my dear Lisa, to the detail! 🙂 And yes, I’d love to be able to experience this magical moment. Donna is the perfect coach! 🙂
ZZZZZZZZZ, your hummingbird is breathtaking and pelican, divine! Wow, both are just stunning! Thank you for sharing these delicious dips into creativity. Your approach as always, fresh and refreshing. Interesting that I’ve just updated my teaching credentials, or working on that, and the course included some study on Walter Anderson. People need to know about him! Take care and happy New Year!
And you win the watercolor-bird prize. Best wishes for 2014!
Hi Z!! I do love the humming bird and pelican water colors!! I think those would be gorgeous as a card series..with more birds!!
Happy New Year!!
Z, very cool pix. Thanks, BTG
What an extraordinary experience to be among so many birds.
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Thanks for the voyage through “birdland”–loved your watercolors too!
love the photos, paintings and thank you for the link for garden walk. Happy new year amiga, hugs 🙂
thank YOU for your thank you’s!!! the garden walk site is always a sweet tonic, a feast for the eyes!
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Z, last month when we were in PA, we were visiting a bird lover’s house. Frank told Ron to put his hand out…and soon a small titmouse landed on his fingers. Incredible. Frank’s trained the birds to land on his hand. Frank is a bird whisperer. Lovely, lovely hummingbird.
it’s been so long since i’ve seen a precious titmouse! that was surely a very fun moment!
thanks! z
I’m right there with you Lisa! These paintings are beautiful. A rookery is a crazy place – I love the shot of that young guy there – I guess a heron – it must be fabulous to paddle in close. I will check out the link – I’ve had that experience several times, taming chickadees to come to my hand for sunflower seeds. Magic. And I love Walter Anderson – a fellow southerner of yours – you do share a lot with him. Again, great work! The hummer has so much life!
hey amiga!
the rainy season is about to begin here, and the birds are twice as noisy and active during that time. they’re amazing to watch, especially at sunrise and sunset.
yes, walter anderson was a unique artist, and i’m so glad that his work continues to gain more of the world’s respect.
happy new year, amiga!