[BobD]

Hi all,
Mange asked me to post these photos for him:
Here's what he wrote:
Hi gang.



This is my kestrel on a branch almost completed (it will take some more white on the wings and some dark on the beak). The beak is a bit thick but that is because this guy has the mumps. This is very rare in birds, as a matter of fact this is the only documented case so far i Norway. Please give me coments on what i could have done different (have never seen one alive). Magne

[AlArchie]

Please don't take this wrong 'cuz....first off, I don't carve birds (yet), but I do have a resident kestrel that pretty consistantly torpedoes a blue jay or dove off my birdfeeder. Your carving looks pretty darn accurate but the colors are a mite brilliant for the birds we have here in Michigan. Actually your colors are about right, but the shades are not subdued enough. Our kestrels are not brilliantly hued, very subtle blues, oranges, tans and grays. The white and dark markings on the cheeks look about right. They do vary a lot from bird to bird.

Al

[AlArchie]

Here's two photos from the audubon bird ID book of a male and female kestrel; not quite the brilliant hues you have. Hope this helps.

Al

[Kenny_S]

Not a bird carver or a very good painter! Look great to me, but then my wife does too.

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

Looks good!

David

[Cut_Fingers]

Hey Mange, (I hope I got it right)

I'm not a bird carver, (nor do I know anything about birds, except they fly) but apparently you are! Great Job on the bird! I'm always envious of you bird carvers painting skills. You should be very proud of that piece. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Hugh]

Magne, you have done a very nice job presenting your Kestrel, size and attitude look good, the body and feathering is carved well. But you asked for a critique, and the head is a little off. I might suggest Floyd Scholtz book on Carving the American Kestrel. or his book, Birds of Prey. The shape of the brow, the curve of the bill, the throat or chin, the eye placement , all have problems. You have a very nice carving, keep up the good work. After all the years of carving, I agonize over each and every carving, especially the head, you can spend hours trying to get it right. Hope this helps.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Magne, first let me congratulate you on your carving. I am a bird carver (primarily birds of prey) and when I viewed the first photo of the series posted, I though, "Hey, I like this!"

You asked for critique and in this I agree with the statements and suggestions that have been made for future improvement. However, for me, these comments do not seriously detract from the carving. I do not like to see things vary too far from realism, unless there is an excellent point being made; but, in my carving I am not attempting to present an absolute rendition of a live bird.

In evaluating a carving I ask myself, "What, if anything, bothers me about this carving?" The only thing that truly bothered me about your kestrel is the eye. It may be due to photography; but, it appears to me that the eye is too far in at the top and the bird is attempting to look up.

Your carving stands the ultimate test, to me, "How does it look from 6' away?" with the answer being "Very Well!"

[MADA]

Hugh.
Would it not be an wonderful world if every bird came with an stadarzided beak/head so we could concentrate on the body? Haha
I guess i stick with the idea that this one has the mumps.Haha

I have both those books, that fella is a real MASTER.
Seen that piece of an red tailed hawk with the snake?

This piece was my third attempt at an bird of prey, number one look like an cross breed between parrot/sharp shinned/kestrel and number two is never going to be anything else than exlusive firewood.

Guess an good idea is to sit down and practice heads only..... nah, kind of boring
Thanks anyway.
Magne

[MADA]

David.
Thank you.
Your Bee eater demo is on of the pieces who really got me inspired into continue carving.
Great demos, keep them coming.

Al.
I know, i know.
I did strip the paint of this one one time (even more flashy then) so i did kind of get bored with the project.
I figured out he is just dressed up for an nigth on the town.Haha
Magne