Birding Longboat Key, Florida
The Royal Terns along the beach let me walk so close to them. The only thing they seemed to care about was that they all faced in the same direction, and that that direction was facing into the wind!
Their large, bright orange bills made me think of compass needles always pointing into the wind instead of being magnetized to point north like the more common variety.
Painting #22 in the 100 Paintings in a Year Challenge, Royal Tern Facing into the Wind
It rained only one morning while we were in Florida. Looking out onto the beach, everything was a dark melting of blue, gray and purple. Eventually a few Royal Terns flew in and landed. Even without illumination from the sun, their white feathers were bright and stood out from the dull pouring rain.
Painting # 23, Royal Tern in Rain
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27 comments:
Beautiful Kelly---both the photos and the paintings.. WOW--you are just SO talented.
In the first picture the Tern almost looks like he is smiling at you!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Wow Kelly these are beautiful!
Happy Easter.
Anna :)
I love these guys! They really go for the windswept look--very appealing.
Hi Kelly
they do look as if they are smiling and you have captured that expression in your painting.
happy days
You captured them well, Kelly!
That shot of the Royal Tern is superb Kelly.
Paintings too. What a talent.
What fun sketches! Well done!
Whow..you have been busy with the brush. Happy Easter to you and the family. FAB & Anita.
Wow!! That first photo and first painting you captured so well!! Congrat's on another step to your 100 painting challenge!!
Those are great! I love the photo and the paintings are AMAZING. You are so talented.
Hi Kelly,
The picture is fantastic and the drawing superb!!! You are so good at it, well both actually to take pictures as well as painting! Superb! I'm impressed!
That's a superb closeup and your paintings are great too!
Gorgeous photo and paintings. Seems like you got lots of wonderful photos and material for paintings while you were in FL--that's great!
Breathtaking photos and glorious paintings! You are incredibly talented and incredibly generous with your talent. Thank you!
Your terns are so cool!
Beautiful photos and beautiful painting Kelly!! Have a great Easter weekend!!
Lovely artwork Kelly!
I think they face into the wind so as not to mess up their coiffures...
Here from Adrienne in Ohio's blog....
I noted your comment about the eagle near Morrow. I ride my bike on that trail as well--usually south of Morrow.
I've looked backward through several of your posts and have enjoyed your photos, paintings and commentary.
These are really striking birds Kelly. You have created the eye on the first painting really well.
Playing catch-up today... love your beautiful Terns. I really need to brush up on my shore birds as we leave for Cumberland Island soon and I know I will be overwhelmed with the different water birds! I'll look for these cuties!
I love the terns, I love the paintings, the photos and I especially love how they stand all facing the same direction. I also love the Florida photos. Beautiful. Happy Easter. Carol
love the photo and the watercolors...excellent work as usual! Thumbs up! :)
One word,Stunning.
John.
Wonderful!
I just discovered the best place to view and photograph Royal Terns. North Beach at Ft. Desoto State Park in Pinellas County. They were incredible to watch.
Very nice description of the terns. I was writing a narration for my travel series calling terns "Mother Nature's Wind Vanes", when I came across your post.
Love your description of terns in the rain. I came across your post as I was writing a script calling terns, "Mother Nature's wind vanes".
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