Elaine

Considering that birds are almost always in motion I often reach for a camera before the binoculars so I can snap a pic then zoom in, look at specific markings, beak shape and color etc. otherwise it's just the flash of a yellow bird in the bush,  blink and it's gone.  The idea of drawing  from life is terrifying, unless maybe it's a heron!  Drawing it made me look closer at its grasp of the twig. the eye etc.  Feathers and markings are still really intimidating!