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Early last spring a yellow-rumped warbler visited my feeder and even though I only saw him (or his mates) a few times before they headed north, I got a good photograph of him. I was able to identify this bird as a myrtle warbler with my photo, but I used a different photo for my…
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The dark-eyed junco is a common bird across North America and is found in my area mainly in the winter. They mostly eat seeds and can sometimes be seen at feeders, but more likely they’ll be on the ground underneath a feeder, foraging for seeds that other birds have dropped. The junco is one of…
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One day last summer I was at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, where I took some unremarkable photographs of birds and flowers. Later I noticed a bee hovering in one photo. What a missed opportunity, I thought. That photo would have been excellent if only I’d tried to focus on the bee. Earlier this…
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Noodle was a sweet and tiny chihuahua who, sadly, passed away last month. I painted his portrait to honor and remember him. For reference, I used an old photograph I had taken of him when he was younger. My daughter said I really captured his likeness. I think it’s a good way to remember a…
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The peregrine falcon, also called duck hawk, is a predator that is mostly a winter visitor to this area. I’ve never managed to photograph one (other hawks, like the red-shouldered, are much easier to find – for me, at least), so I used a reference photograph I found online. I usually paint songbirds, but for…
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Fall migration has begun! Keep your eyes open for species that pass through your area during this time of year. Don’t miss the opportunity to see and photograph birds you don’t get to see most of the year. Online resources will help you know which birds you may see and when. Check out the Migration…
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The entertaining Carolina Wren. These tireless little birds strike poses and flit and hop around your feeders, and when they sing you can’t believe such a small bird can be so loud. Only the male birds sing, by the way. I’ve photographed this bird many times, but I painted this one from a photo I…
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These are three blue mackerel, sometimes called Pacific mackerel, though I’m told that’s not a correct name. I stumbled upon a photo of some of these beautiful fish with their vibrant turquoise stripes and wanted to paint one. After finding some other reference photos and other fish themed art, I was able to put together…
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The cedar waxwing is a winter bird in the Raleigh area. I personally have encountered them only once in this area, near Umstead Park. When I was in Connecticut, where they are present year-round, I used to see them all the time around a reservoir near my house. Like me, cedar waxwings have a sweet…
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The rose-breasted grosbeak is a visually striking bird. I’ve seen –and photographed– them at a feeder in Wendell, NC, but they’re not all that common around here. You are more likely to see them in western NC, but the Raleigh area is in the path birds’ migratory activity. If you are in the right place…
Craig Laurer 