Facing the Wind

© AnnHoffpauir

                                                 Facing the Wind – Seagulls

 

   This was painted on location recently while in Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar, TX. area with the Outdoor Painters Society.  I was in an area where the shrimp boats docked.  While I set up my art gear facing these pilings, a couple of shrimp boats came back in.  The seagulls, terns and egrets all came in to check out the smorgasbord of fish that was stirred up by the shrimp boats.  The pilings were nearby and the seagulls would land on them, and then take off again for another dive into the water.  Sometimes all the pilings had more than one bird on them.                                                                                                                       After the boats docked the men started sorting the fish and shrimp.  The egrets actually would light on the deck railing of the boat and get the morsels of fish and shrimp that are being culled.  That egret was smart.  Why go hunt and peck in shallow water when all it needs to do is wait for his “ship” to come in. 

Chipping Sparrow by Ann Hoffpauir

© Ann Hoffpauir

I had to look up this little bird to know what kind it was. When I first noticed it, I thought it was just another house sparrow. As I worked in my yard though, it didn't fly away as readily as house sparrows do. I thought

"what the heck is wrong with this bird, is it sick, old or something"? The more I observed this bird I realized not only it wasn't a house sparrow, because it's character was somewhat timid, sweet and social. Later I had refilled a bird feeder and left it on my back porch for a few days. Well, the birds found it and they were probably thinking "the dang bird lady is never gonna hang the feeder up, so lets eat here ya"ll"! So...unnoticed to the birds, I took their picture from inside the window that was only about six feet from that feeder.

I had several different species of birds visit that feeder while it was on the porch. A lot of good close up photos too!

This painting is size 7x5 oil on canvas panel. It is available for $75.00. Thank you for viewing.