[squbrigg]

I am giving a chickadee a try, one with more detail and proper paint job, if I'm up to it. Have a Red Breasted Nuthatch started too, but set aside until I finish this little devil. Having quite a time with reference drawings, finally set them aside and going to work from my own photographs. I seem to do better that way. Some corrections to do now, but it's coming. The wood is some Eastern White Cedar I had laying around.

Suggestions, critique anyone?

Bob

[squbrigg]

LOL ....... well, I didn't need to go to photographs for reference. Today, my wife and I were downtown shopping and I found a Chicadee on the sidewalk. It must have been stunned by flying into a store window, cause it just sat there on the sidewalk in front of us. Thank goodness there wasn't much traffic. So I picked it up, as I often do with injured birds, took it home and am attempting to nurse it back to health. It is much more alert this evening and can open it's left eye fully now. It must have given itself a good wack, but I am hopeful for recovery. It ate some suet and niger seed, and seems comfy in the box. If it's up tomorrow, I'll turn it loose.

Sure was a timely rescue, as it solved my questions of the feather lay, that I had in my mind. I sat and sketched it and took some pics too, as my sketch work, needs work! The good Lord works in mysterious ways!

Bob

[chpster90bu]

Awwwwwwwww.....what a cutie! Looks like you're doing a good job taking care of the little fella, Bob. That's incredible that you found the exact birdie your working on! You've got a good start on him and you can't beat a live model! LOL Take plenty of pics....and good luck with the carving. I will be watching for the finale'. Bonnie

[Mottles]

Hi Bob, looks like you have a good start--no suggestions or critique on this end. Will enjoy watching your progress.
Kathy

[squbrigg]

Success in one area ........ the Chickadee recovered fully so we released it this morning. It was a sweet little visitor and never even left a mess. She got out of the box early this morning and I found her perched on the curtains in the spare bedroom we gave her, chirping away. I was able to capture her and release her outside, well before our cat even knew that we had a house guest.

Now if only my carvings would be that successful.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Thats a great story, sad thing is the good Lord does things like that all the time, but in this "wham bam" world, the credit usually goes to "coincidence", whoever that is

[Just Carving]

Well, that just goes to show ya--Woodcarvers are special people who have special things happen to them!!

Well done, Bob!

Bob L

[mark yundt]

Reminded me of a similar situation back when I was a dedicated bird carver. A sparrow crashed into a window at work and knocked him (her) self silly. I naturally brought it home and went about measuring everything on him I could. Difference was when he got away from me the cat was well aware of it. The bird went for the window ( he was a slow learner and forgot his earlier lesson) the cat followed bringing down the curtains,,dishes,,scrambling across the tables,chairs,generally making a panic out of the whole thing.
My wife was concerned with the welfare of the bird and took it all in stride as well as could be expected. She seemed to accept my eccentricities with the grace she accepted the 14 frozen specimins I had in our freezer .Every so often she'd open it,,one would fall out,,and she just nonchalantly put it right back in there.
Nothing like having the actual bird for measurements and color match if you plan on making the most accurate piece you can. And having a wife that understands your compulsions.

[squbrigg]

LOL....Mark, you sound like a good friend of mine who lives in Nova Scotia. He isn't a carver, but a 1840's reinactor. He makes his own costumes for himself and his wife and others, trades them at rendezvous. He uses fur a lot , so collects hides from all kinds of critters (hunting, trapping and road kill), and has a freezer just for them. You're real careful to ask when you go to his house for dinner, cause he'll try anything once! LOL

Bob

[squbrigg]

Finally finished, except for the feet and a scene, but I'm happy with my effort. I need more practice on painting I know. But it does resemble a bird!

Bob