Cedar Waxwings in my Toyon

OK, the robins didn’t strip my toyon in one day, they had a little help… these cedar waxwings ate more that their fill. What exactly does it man to “Eat like a bird” anyway?

Cedar Waxwing 1 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 2 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 3 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 4 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 5 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 6 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 8 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 9 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwings - Toyon  14 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 10 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 13 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 11 - Marie Cameron 2016

 

Cedar Waxwing 12 - Marie Cameron 2016

As far as photography goes, the focus is a bit soft…but as reference material for my paintings…BINGO!

In the Camelias

The thirty year old camellia tree in my neighbor’s front yard may be the only thing blooming this time of year. It’s quite a show stopper and is attracting a lot of birds – even in the rain!

I had to go over with my camera and see if I could get lucky – I did get a few shots of some birds but what I found myself enjoying even more was the damp fragrance of the flowers and the sound of wings (bees and hummers) buzzing in my ears.

 

Bluebirds (black on white)

Nothing blue about these bluebirds… silhouetted against a winter white you have to imagine their blue feathers and rust colored breast. Imagine the rose pepperberries, the green palm fronds, the brown acacia pods. Imagine they’ll be sun soon and a bright blue sky! Meanwhile there is a poetry in form that is revealed when color is removed from the equation.

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 1

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 2

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 7

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 4

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 3

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 5

Bluebird Silhouette black on white - Marie Cameron 2014 6

Bluebirds (black on lavender)

Imagine my delight discovering the flock of birds overhead were actually bluebirds!  It may be hard to tell silhouetted against the sky like this but I swear that’s what they were and I’ll prove it in upcoming posts (I plan to stalk this pepper berry tree in better light)!  In fifteen years of living in California I’ve only had two previous sightings, so this was a real surprise and a wonderful chance to take some reference shots for my paintings (especially helpful if my palette is only black and lavender)!

Bluebird Silhouette Lavender - Marie Cameron 2014 1

Bluebird Silhouette Lavender - Marie Cameron 2014 2

Bluebird Silhouette Lavender - Marie Cameron 2014 3

Bluebird Silhouette Lavender - Marie Cameron 2014 4

Bluebird Silhouette Lavender - Marie Cameron 2014 5