Alabama Bird: Snowy Plover

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Snowy Plover (also sometimes called the Beach Plover, Snowy Ringed Plover, or Kentish Plover)
Scientific name: Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

A small (15.0-17.0 cm [5.9-6.7 in.]) shorebird characterized by a thin dark bill, grayish or blackish feet and legs, pale gray upperparts, and white underparts. Adults have black side and breast patches, a black crown contrasting with a white forehead, and a dark auricular area; black not as dark in females. Nonbreeding adults and juveniles lack dark markings of breeding adults. Calls include a soft whistled ku-wheet and low kru (Page 1995, Marchant 1986). Six subspecies recognized. Two, the Cuban snowy plover (C. a. tenuirostris) and the western snowy plover (C. a. nivosus), are found in North America; the Cuban snowy plover is a permanent resident in Alabama.




Length of domestic duck feather: 2" 

Alabama Bird: Mourning Dove

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Mourning Dove
Scientific name: Zenaida macroura

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

The Mourning Dove belongs to the family of doves and pigeons known as Columbidae. They are a medium sized bird with a delicate bill. The adults are slaty-brownish above with dark spots on the wings and back and have a long, pointed, white-edged tail. The neck is reddish brown with an iridescent sheen, while the body’s underside is pale tan with grayish wing linings. Upon close examination, the adult male can be distinguished from the adult female by prominent blue-gray feathers on the top of the head, a pinkish or rose-colored breast, and obvious iridescence along the sides of the throat. The “coo-oo, coo, coo, coo” call, for which mourning doves were named, is most prevalent in the spring, although it can be heard other times of the year as well.



Length of feather: 4"

Alabama Bird: American Goldfinch

I'm not happy with this little guy's right wing (on the left as we look at him). I don't have the feathers going in the right direction to create a correct sense of flight. But this tiny little bird painting is cute, and I need to get some sleep, so here it is with all of its imperfections. Goodnight, moon! 

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the American Goldfinch
Scientific name: Carduelis tristis

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Breeder. Fairly common in all seasons in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions.  In Inland Coastal Plain, common in winter, spring, and fall, and uncommon in summer.  In Gulf Coast region, common in winter, spring, and fall.  Found in open woodlands, brushy areas, and willow thickets. Lowest Conservation Concern.



Length of feather: Tiny! 1" Parrot feather. 

My Alabama Peacock

I love the farm in Alabama where I get my peacock feathers. There are many wonderful animals there. Sadly, the owner recently had to take a truck full of exotic birds and goats to an auction in North Carolina because the cost of feed has doubled and he can't afford to keep them. Rising food costs are likely coming for all of us. Are my peacocks canaries in the mine shaft?

Diameter of eye of feather: 1 1/4"

Photo taken in July just after molting his tail feathers for the season.

Alabama Bird: California Gull

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the California Gull
Scientific name: Larus californicus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Accidental


....and that's all they have to say. Ha! Woops! I knew I shoulda made a left turn in Albuquerque! 

Diameter of eye of feather: 1"

Alabama Bird: Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 


Today's bird is the Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 
Length of feather (which is from an Alabama swan): 8 3/4"

Scientific name: Coccyzus americanus


Breeder. Common in spring, summer, and fall in all regions. Found in woodlands and on farmlands with scattered trees and orchards. Low Conservation Concern.


Length of feather (which is from an Alabama swan): 8 3/4" 

I really enjoyed painting on this particular feather, which is from a swan that lives on a farm between Fairhope and Foley, Alabama. It was a pleasure to handle and it made a great canvas. This was one of my favorite feathers. I hope the painting does it justice. 

Baby Sea Turtles in Trouble

There are three types of sea turtles that nest on the shores of Alabama's Gulf Coast: Green Sea Turtles, Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles, and Loggerhead Sea Turtles. All are endangered due to human development and habitat destruction. Lean more about the turtles of the Gulf Coast at www.alabamaseaturtles.com. Find out how you can keep the beach turtle-friendly, volunteer,  and adopt a nest.

Length of feather: 7"

Not an Alabama Bird: Pink Flamingos

Everyone loves pink flamingos!

Length of feather: Hhmmm.....these are peacock tail feathers that I cut shorter, so the over-all length of the feather is no longer relevant. Perhaps for peacock feathers with eyes, I should give the diameter of the eye, thought to which point does one measure? Diameter of peacock eye: 1"(that's measuring the green circle side-to-side). I will have to do some research and see what standard measurement is used when cataloging peacock feathers. I'm sure that there is some sort of standard.

Everyone loves peackocks too!

Alabama Bird: Brown Creeper

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Brown Creeper
Scientific name: Certhia americana

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Uncommon in winter, spring, and fall in Tennessee Valley and Mountain regions. In Gulf Coast region, uncommon in fall and rare in winter and spring. In Inland Coastal Plain, rare in winter, spring, and fall. Found in woodlands. MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN.



Length of feather: 7" 

Alabama Bird: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Yellow-Headed Blackbird
Scientific name: Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Rare in fall, and occasional in winter and spring in Gulf Coast region. In inland regions, occasional in fall and spring. Found in marshes and wet fields.

Length of feather: 6"

Alabama Bird: Purple Finch

In preparation for the Alabama Coastal BirdFest I am working on a series of birds native to Alabama. 

Today's bird is the Purple Finch
Scientific name: Carpodacus purpureus

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: 

Uncommon and erratic in winter, spring, and fall in inland regions. In Gulf Coast region, rare and erratic in winter, spring, and fall. Found in woodlands, especially deciduous. Low Conservation Concern.

Length of feather: 6"

Shrimp Jubilee

I recently applied to be an artisan at the Daphne Jubilee Festival, and as part of the application process I needed to apply for an Alabama Business Licence. In the past, the state hasn't enforced the licence at arts and crafts festivals, but they are going to start being more stringent. I had to make a few phone calls to find out how much my fee would be for the licence ($17) and in which category I should register (174. Transient Vendor/Peddler). The business choices listed in the form are delightfully antiquated! It is incredibly fun to read, and well worth your time if you're interested in late nineteenth and early twentieth century American history. There are many fantastic business categories; here are just a few of my favorites from the form:

95. Devices for testing skill and strength used for profit
109. Hat cleaning establishments
119. Legerdermain and slight of hand
132. Moving picture shows; Transient Operators
144. Playing cards
155. Scientists, naturopaths and chiropodists


Length of feather: 7"

Pelican Pete

Pelican Pete is a native Virginian, but enjoys spending winters on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi; He and the missus occasionally enjoy catching Carnival Cruise Lines vacations to Columbia and Venezuela when they can snatch up a last-minute bargain on tickets. They used to catch the cruise out of Mobile, but since Carnival stopped docking there in 2011, they now head over to New Orleans when they want to take a weekend side trip to the Caribbean.


Length of feather: 5 1/2"

Orange You Going to Come to the Show?

Meow. This simple little orange cat is the result of being sidetracked by other work this past weekend. Much of that work was directly related to FeatherMore. Most of the rest involved ripping down wallpaper in my parents' guest bathroom to discover that, because the toilet tank is flush up against the wall, the drywall behind it is moldy and crumbling. A simple job of "let's paint this room a new color" now requires plumbing and drywalling to really do it right. Oy vey.

I'm very proud and excited to announce that I have received my acceptance to the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. I have also been accepted to several shows and festivals for this fall in the past few days. I'm pleased and honored that I will be showing at
Alabama Coastal BirdFest in Fairhope, Christmas City Gift Show in Biloxi,  The Inaugural Cedars Juried Art Exhibition in Jackson, and Chimneyville Crafts Festival in Jackson. Other applications pending. More festivals and events to come. 

Completion of step two of five-year plan for fabulous fame and fortune through feather painting: Check. 

Length of feather: 3 3/4"

See Ya Later, Alligator

For Mom and Dad.

My parents live right on the water on the Eastern side of Mobile Bay. There's a creek on the neighbor's property that often changes course with shifts in weather, the seasons, and attempts to control it with retaining walls. It has recently developed a pond right near the shore, which is now occupied by at least four alligators. It appears that one is the five-foot-long mother, with the others being smaller, and thus presumably her offspring. Animal control won't come and get them until they demonstrate that are an immediate threat. This is not welcome news for the neighbors with small dogs and children.

Length of feather: 4 1/2"

Day 98: Source

I get most of my feathers from an Alabama peacock farm that is located between Foley and Fairhope. It is a wonderful, magical property that includes all sorts of birds, llamas, alpacas, miniature horses and cows, and goats. There are lovely, old shade trees and rolling green pastures. There is clearly a lot of love for the animals and the property. It is a good place.

So rather than another painted feather today, here are photos of the birds that have provided many of my feathers, along with a few friendly cows and goats. Lots of lovely feathers, indeed!

Day 68: Mobile Bay Monster

For Mom and Dad

I took the following photo last weekend, while visiting Mom and Dad. We were walking on the Eastern shore of Mobile Bay, which is visible from their kitchen window. It's clearly a sweet, lovable monster, who belongs on Sesame Street and not in nightmares. I bet it sounds like a squeaky chew toy when it hops around. Love!

Length of feather:  11"

Day 65: Cathedral Square

I am excited to announce that I'm now represented by Cathedral Square Art Gallery in downtown Mobile. Go enjoy a meal at Wintzell's Oyster House, on Dauphin Street (which has been serving great food there since 1938) and then walk across the street and see my work.

Length of feather: 5"
SOLD

Day 63: Come Sail Away

Went sailing in Mobile Bay on Friday.

Length of feather: 3"

Day 22: Mother Owl

For my mom.

This is a portrait of the owl living in my parents’ yard in Montrose, Alabama.  They live right on Mobile bay and there are several wonderful old live oaks on the property (photo below). The owl sometimes swoops through the trees in the evenings. Mom and dad have collected and enjoyed owl art since they married in 1969, making the resident owl even more appreciated. When I was very young and we lived in Ohio, we once came back from vacation to find a baby owl perched on a curtain rod in the living room. Birds and bats would occasionally find their way down the chimney and into the house. We always did well to open the front door, turn off the lights in the house, turn on the porch light and encouraged our guests out with brooms (with a bit of squealing and giggling when our winged visitors came swooping towards us). Those evenings of bird and bat corralling are such great childhood memories. I’ve got so many rich and wonderful memories from my childhood that I could fill pages with them, but because I’m keeping each blog post to a paragraph, I’ll save them for later. Even though I’m sometimes impatient and angry, I am so grateful and proud of you for how I was raised. Mom and dad, thank you. 

Length of feather:  2 1/2”

SOLD