[cedarshavings]

Here is an Owl feather I carved for a friend. I thought I would show it before I painted because I'm afraid it might start going down hill from there. I'm pretty satisfied with it right now. It does have some curve to it but my picture of that angle was too big to attach.
With my work schedule and two kids this has taken me a while but I'm glad I've made it this far with it.

I hope the picture comes out alright.
Steve

[markken5889]

great job on that feather - I particularly like the way you've done the splits!

-Mark

[torpidhummer]

Steve, you've answered my thoughts,since after my surgery, I have only been practicing carving feathers. Your feather is sowell carved ,you have given me different look on carving realistic feathers,thanks.
Oscar

[Toffeeliz]

this must be fantastic to hold - its wood and yet is so delicate! great work!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Steve, is that basswood? I have turned to tupelo for carving thin feathers. It bends better than bass without breaking.

Very well carved and burned.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nice job Steve. Which one is the carving?

[carvnman40]

Steve, great job on the feather. Very realistic. I'm looking forward to seeing the painted version.

Mike

[RussL.]

Sure that's an owl feather?

I'm not an expert but the one on the right looks very much like a turkey primary (wing) feather.
I know turkey feathers from dozens of wild turkey pelts given to me over the years by a hunting friend for fly tying.

The wooden one is terrific!

RussL.

[Ron T]

Really awesome feather Steve.

What kind of wood and how thick is the feather?

[cedarshavings]

Wow, thanks for all the nice comments. I was expecting some critiques with suggestions on what I could've done different. I didn't think the picture showed the details too well, my finished picture should be much better. It will be a few days before I have time to sit down and finish it up but I'll post a better picture. Oscar, that is quite a compliment to say that I actually inspired you because I've been inspired by so many others on here. I was learning pretty much from scratch when I started this feather and everything I learned was from this message board.
Paul, it is basswood. I've never tried Tupelo, I'll have to do that.
RussL, it is an owl feather. I think a barred owl. The picture doesn't show too well, but the edges of an owl feather becomes super fine and almost like fur to help them fly more quietly. I even tried to do that on the carving. A friend had this feather and he is very knowlegeable on birds of prey, and yes, before anyone says anything, I don't think you are even supposed to possess a feather from a bird of prey, but he asked me to try to carve it and it looked like an interesting task for such a beginner like me.
Lynn, thanks,,,I've seen your work and you are something else.

Thanks
Steve