Eagle eyes

[Paul L]

I have been carving mostly caricatures for the last 4-5 years, but have begun carving an Eagle for my son, who is nearly an Eagle. Any suggestions for realistic eyes? Sources, etc? I live in the St. Louis area. Thanks.

Paul L.

[Wildbirdcarver]

Paul, I use Van Dykes Taxidermy to purchase most of my bird eyes. A full size eagle has a #9 pale yellow eye. Good luck. Dick

[Wildbirdcarver]

Paul, On the last post I put in the wrong eye size for an eagle. It is 18 mm and yellow. Don't know how I misread it, but I did. Sorry. Dick

[markken5889]

I really like The Duck Blind, but I don't know for sure if they make 'em that big. I'm usually ordering for ducks or song birds. Worth looking into, though.

Mark

[Paul_Guraedy]

Eagle eyes are like the head color on a baldie. The head is not white and the eyes are not yellow. The hardest thing is to find eagle eyes of the right color and with the limbus ring around the edges. Last time I purchased them (several years ago), I had to pay a "set up" price which made the eyes fairly expensive. I bought a number of them and will carve eagels with that size eyes until they are gone.

[Paul L]

Thanks for the info. and the help.

Paul

[kenweybright]

I have had good luck and quality service from Tohickon Glass Eyes
www.tohickonglasseyes.com/

[Callynne]

I'm carving a small eagle for my brother, I don't know if it's a good idea or not, and I may be really sorry, but I carved the eyes and plan on painting them and then coating them with Crystal Kote.

I sure was hoping someone on here would say that's how they did theirs...I hope I'm not making a huge mistake!!!! Deborah

[Paul_Guraedy]

Deborah, there is not a problem with carving the eyes and the crystal cote will make them look more realistic. With your painting ability, folks will probably assume that they are glass. Eyes are so important when a viewer takes a look at a carving, and for those of us who suddenly realize, "Oh My god, I'm at the painting part!", glass makes life simpler. I look forward to seeeing your eagle.

[Callynne]

Thanks Paul, you make me feel much better about it! I'm working on three Santa orders right now, as soon as I get them finished up and sent out I'll be back to painting the eagle. I'll post pictures then. Thanks again for the vote of confidence! Deborah