Back to Birds

[Paul_Guraedy]

My Frien's, I do enjoy carving different animals; but, birds are a special joy. Last spring I started a falcon designed by Marlen Downing and put it on the back burner in order to finish the cougars shown in the thread "The Rival". Now, I am back to the birds and working on the falcon.

I am using both power and hand tools. Soft feathers will be "stoned" and hard feathers "burned". Talons will be inserts. It also seems to me that the two right toes will have to be cut back so that the talons can be "laid over" to avoid their extending to the base of the carving. Any suggestions? I have also decided to carve in the left foot. It will be just the ends of the toes and talons "peeking out" from the feathers on the vertical portion of the rock.

Marlen intended for this to be a peregrine; but, I am considering finishing it as a gyrfalcon. I think the gray phase will stand out a little better against the rocks. A peregrine would almost blend in to it. What do you think?

[markken5889]

I see your point...I'm partial to the peregrine, but that's just me. You can always paint the rocks with a different color blocking. Google up some reference pics! Looking great so far!

Mark

[Paul_Guraedy]

Mark, I am also partial to the peregrine. My last assignment with the Park Service was Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. This area contains 120 miles of the Yukon River and the entire watershed of the Charley River. It was set aside, in part, due to the number of nesting peregrines along the rivers (35 known pairs the last I heard).
The gyr, at least the gray phase, is a rather blah bird as far as looks are concerned; but, it would stand out against gray rocks. I suppose I could paint the rocks in a sandstone shade. I spent a good part of my career in “Red Rock” country. But, I did not see peregrines there; they had long since been extirpated. So I tend to associate them with gray granite. I am also somewhat anxious to expand my experience with putting lichen on the rocks and, now that I think about it, I never saw it on the “red” rocks. Too dry in that country?
I have googled and taken lots of photos of various rocks. Diana has learned to tolerate sudden stops on trips while I jump out and take photos of rocks, trees and clouds.
Oh well, the birds are so similar, prior to painting, that I don’t have to make an immediate decision.

[Hugh-P]

I like what your doing with this carving, nice job. I recently finished a peregrine, and painted the rocks a light grey, and it turned out not too badly. Has a good contrast , the peregrine is in my WCI gallery if you want to check out the colour contrast. Be sure to post the project when its finished.

[Mottles]

Paul, I can see why birds are a favorite of yours, even at this stage your falcon is going to be just beautiful. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Kathy

[Kenny_S]

I have only attempted to carve birds and failed miserably at it. But I know what I like ans see here Paul.

[Merle Rice]

HiPaul, I looks like you have a nice piece of art started. Good start and looking forward to the finish. Merle

[markken5889]

Hey Paul,

That Red Rock country sure is beautiful! My experience with peregrines is more in the northeast. Especially the Maine coast, where you get the grey granite ledges and lichen (re. Acadia). Also have then here often in cities and under bridges, but that wouldn't look too great in a carving, I think.

Mark

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have been slowed down a little by my episode with wrist pain (mentioned in other postings). But, am learning to adjust my carving to using both clamps and/or a wrist brace.

I have the falcon far enough along to start burning in the feathers. I have just about reached the end of burning around the neck and will "stone" from there onto the head. Tail feathers have been roughed in but not prepared for burning.

A student brought in some of those whirlygigs that are replacements for scotchbrite and I played with them some on the feathers. I like the way they get down in and clean out the lines. Considering their cost, I was not too pleased, to look up from my burning to find that Jeannie was cleaning up a Celtic cross and had worn the thing down to nothing. She had not been working long, this is her first experience with cleaning out, and she may have just applied too much pressure. Anyway, I have a huge store of scotchbrite so am not sure about ordering something to replace it just yet.

[Mottles]

Hi Paul, wonderful work on your Falcon and thank you, for sharing the burning part too.
We have a member of our carving club who carves birds and makes his own feet. Just that process alone is so interesting. He gave me some tupelo (spelling?) to carve a small robin, but haven't tackled that project yet. He said he would help me along the way.
Anyway, got off track--looking forward to seeing more updates.
Kathy