Monday, May 11, 2009

Our Dove

I'm still struggling with my DSFDF challenge so I took a little break and painted out little Mourning Dove that has taken roost under our front porch eave.

She/ he's been there for a little over a week.  Their first attempt of a nest failed and now the couple have settled in nicely.  I found Nestwatch.org on the web and learned incubation is only a couple of weeks.  I registered this nest there and also found a short video on a wonderful technical artist who is drawing a poster for fundraising purposes.  Look at how he researches and draws birds that must be approved by scientists/researchers before he can place them on the poster here.





8x10 oil on RayMar

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice color choices - I like the blue gray especially!

dominique eichi said...

I love your little dove, very nice

Manon said...

I love listening to the morning doves! You did a lovely job Sheila!

christine said...

Sheila, this is a very sweet illustration!

You never cease to amaze me with your wide-ranging interests and your deep compassion for all creatures.

I enjoyed the bird illustration video. Wow, talk about painstaking attention to detail! Thanks for sharing the link.

Beverly Ash Gilbert said...

What a beautiful painting! Thank you for pulling me to your blog - I was fascinated to read you were a forensic artist. How exciting, interesting, gruesome and how important.

By the way - those were just the underside of the dogwood flowers!

Michelle said...

Wonderful subject & nicely painted!

r garriott said...

You never cease to amaze. I think it's so cool that you'll tackle any subject.

Very sweet! Good colors and composition, and a great expression on the dove's face.

Mona Diane Conner said...

Sheila, thanks for your lovely comment tonite.

I love the mourning dove's song when they sit on my fire escape in the mornings, and you did a nice portrayal of one here, capturing the feeling and subtle shape that is unique to this bird. Thanks so much for sharing that video link. Absolutely fascinating procedure!

artbyakiko said...

Very nice painting of a dove! I love it. We have three different families (sparrows and black birds) living under our roof. They are just so cute.

Art with Liz said...

Oh she's so beautiful Sheila. May she bring you lots of peace and tranquility as well.

suzanne cabrera said...

WOW, great link Sheila. I learned so much from watching it. Not to mention it went right along with a project my students have been working on in class...a composite image in which they are including various scenes in one drawing.

Nice seeing what is nesting at your place. I have something similar going on at mine. You've inspired me...

Linda O'Neill said...

That is a sweet baby dove and you did a beautiful job capturing it, Sheila.

Unknown said...

I love this painting, Sheila. It says so much and really appeals to the heart. I hope the chickees are healthy and they thrive.
big ole hugs to you!!!....

Vern Schwarz said...

Real nice painting Sheila. These are very elegant looking birds and have the most soothing voice.

Sheila Estep said...

Very nice painting and I cant wait to see your dsdf painting, I know it's going to be great.

Valerie said...

it's so pretty and peaceful.

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Lovely! We have an Eastern Phoebe who nests on our front porch on a post every year. She has already fledged one brood, is working on her second.

Dean Grey said...

How sweet, Sheila!

I agree with Anna T.. The blues and grays work great here.

I guess that dove just sensed that your home was a safe place to be and decided to set up shop!

Take that as a compliment on behalf of the bird.

-Dean

Karen Hargett said...

I love this Sheila! I had a dove to get caught in one of my feeders and had it not been for my dog barking wildly I wouldn't have noticed probably until it was too late. I was able to get her out but she had really struggled before I got there and had a few scrapes. When I lifted her up though she flew away. I think we were both shaken. Needless to say I'm not using anything but open, flat feeders anymore even if there are some cute ones out there.

Gwen Bell said...

What a beautiful bird...wonderful color choices!