Donita
Forum Replies Created
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The big tags! I didn't know anything about their nests. I'll have to search some out in the field.
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I got it pretty well. If you can see the eyes, anything but dark brown/blackish is not a crow another blackbird. Sometimes I'm sure I can miss label ravens & crows.
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1. If my neighbor was complaining I would first tell them to keep their cats inside then explain how crows are way down on the list for killing songbirds. 2. There are several just a couple blocks from my house and beyond from there, here in SW Utah. I have not seen a nest but there are so many juniper trees around that it would be like finding a needle in a haystack! In the winter time they are joined by the Ravens. It seems to me the American Crows are a little bigger in size than average here. Healthy environment? More natural foods and less human scraps? 3. I have been successful in distinguishing them most of the time but when in flight I get confused. I'm learning that the Ravens seem to hang out in pairs and crows, well, can be murderous! Both are fun to watch, they love to play in the wind, and I have witnessed Ravens doing barrel rolls. 4. Lots of raptors around here are mobbed by the crows which keeps them in line :-) I would think that might benefit smaller song birds from predation by the raptors. The other animal that benefits is humans just for the amusement (or maybe just me).
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Bulloch's Oriole with watercolors.
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Did mine with watercolors. I think it came out better than expected! Fun!!
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Using a waterbrush makes much finer lines for me than a regular brush.
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Feather overlap was brutal! I'm surprised of how well I've done with it anyway.
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This was a hard one to start. I measured out several points just to get the outline in the right position.
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That is great! What brilliant colors. You nailed the eye!
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Wow, you really made it look 3 dimensional!
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This was fun getting into details. I still can't draw a straight parallel line!
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This is a different technique than I usually use. Don't know if better but different!
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I think I paid more attention to detail in my later drawing. My first was color pencil and second was watercolor with details in color & graphite pencils.
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I successfully sleuthed out my first hard to identify bird! Two female redwing blackbirds were at my suet feeder this morning. Merlin did not come up with it as an option and sound ID didn't help. They were feeding amongst the goldfinches and house finches; bigger than they house finch but looked more like a too big sparrow. All about birds had an exact photo "Female (California Bicolored)" although I'm in SW Utah at 6000 ft. Woohoo!
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I know they are territorial but they don't seem to bother the Bullock's orioles that feast at their feeders. Maybe nearby nest?
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I love seeing them. A couple blocks away the hang out in almost dead trees overlooking a field, waiting for the air to warm up. I've counted up to 20 hanging out!
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Yes. Thistle seed or sunflower seed feeders. I get house finches and golden finches. House finches are much more tolerant and fun to watch.
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I don't think it's an osprey. Tail looks too long and narrow, they have much more white on them. The white/brown head is really distinctive. I think it may be some kind of accipiter?
Using a waterbrush makes much finer lines for me than a regular brush. 
