The Little Nuthatch

Last week The Senator, a 3,500 year old bald cypress tree at Big Tree Park was found on fire, burned and collapsed, despite the firefighters trying to save it. Florida has very little impressive history, but this tree was one of a kind in that department. Think of all the things this beautiful tree had been here for! How many hurricanes and who knows what else this tree survived!? It was massive at 118 feet tall, 18 feet wide. Luckily the 2,000 year old Lady Liberty also in Big Tree Park is unharmed. The Senator will be missed! Rest in...

Owls field guide painting has been started! Sketched yesterday and started painting today, beginning with the Barn Owl:

The hummingbirds are finished! In this field guide painting: Allen's Hummingbird Anna's Hummingbird Black-chinned Hummingbird Blue-throated Hummingbird Broad-billed Hummingbird Broad-tailed Hummingbird Buff-bellied Hummingbird Calliope Hummingbird Green-breasted Mango Green Violet-ear Magnificent Hummingbird Ruby-throated Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird White-eared Hummingbird I think I like how the White-eared turned out the best. Next: owls!

Eagle's now watching the nest! Time for me to start watching too!

I recently found some Hooded Mergansers hanging out in the retention pond behind my work. I went around to take some photos and found a pair of regular ol ducks (Mallard/Mottled hybrid maybe?), some Cormorants, and an Eastern Phoebe too. Nice spot to take a look at some cool birds. The Hooded Mergansers are awesome!