Susan

Turned out really well.

I love your printing and how you've placed things on the pages. Will need to work on that since I don't have a decision about how I'll journal and draw.

It really did help to have a reference point to start. I'd noticed in my turkey drawings that I didn't have the proportions correct for each area of the bird. They have very small heads leading to a very large intricate body so I will draw them again and get closer to the actual dimensions. What I've drawn is a hibiscus plant while it's blooming. They normally only last 2 days at most so was glad to capture it and will redo in color as we get to that area.

Noticing the variety of tubular flowers that still attract all sizes of birds and insects. Two I've noted in my journal are a Tropical Mandeville with large tubular flowers and Blue Salvia that have tall stalks with clusters of smaller tubular flowers. I would have expected Hummingbirds to be more attracted to the larger flower, but there may be a difference in the quality, quantity or accessibility of the nectar since birds, bees and butterflies are all attracted to the Salvia more consistently. Flowers are smaller, but many more of them and they bloom over a long period from beginning of summer through early freezes. As soon as the temp warmed up even slightly today the bees and Painted Lady butterflies were back. Painted Ladies used to drive each other, and bees/hummingbirds off the plant, but now they are cooperating and just working their own corners of the plant. Will make a chart of the flowering plants in my yard to record what blooms attracted which wildlife.

One of my best observation spots is my kitchen window. It looks out on our back yard and bird feeders with an unobstructed view. Since is was 32 degrees this morning in WI I was not very keen on going outside so I was lucky the turkeys came to me. I don't get the sounds but my hands can still function. I was reading Claire Walker Leslie's book "Nature Drawing, A Tool For Learning" and one helpful hint was to make a start sketching your subject and if they move  add another sketch and come back to the others after observing their movements and markings you want to capture. That's what I've tried to do with the turkeys since they kept moving and reforming groups. I wish I could capture the irridescents of their feathers. Watercolor doesn't really capture it although if I do a larger study could do more highlighting.

Much easier to draw from a bird that's not moving. Warblers don't sit still long. Used mechanical pencil and harder to get shading correct and doesn't scan details well. Probably would not have noticed the shoulder mantle as distinct from wings or the coloring of it. Since there are so many warbler species and juveniles, male and female might have very subtle differences I would want to note all areas of the bird for later identification if in doubt.