I think most of us are familiar with the story of the Ugly Duckling, but the emergence of the Swan pales in comparison to the lowly caterpillar.
When the process of metamorphosis occurs the contrast of the often unattractive caterpillar transforming into a spectacular butterfly is simply amazing.
The Western Tiger Swallowtail ( Pterourus rutulus ) with Rocky Mountain Iris ( Iris missouriensis ) in watercolor.
Sometimes…if you are very observant..and very lucky, you will spot one of these magnificent birds deep in the woods. Owls are definitely one of my favorite birds. When one of them fixes their intense gaze on you it is almost unnerving. They appear to be able to peer into the very depths of who you are and observe the hidden.
Perhaps that is why they have been labeled with the moniker ‘The Wise Old Owl’
I finished this watercolor this afternoon.
The Great Grey Owl ( Strix nebulosa )
It may be much different now, but as I grew up you automatically associated the Coyote with the Roadrunner. I suppose those cartoons are mostly long forgotten now.
Most often I see them running along a back country road, trail, or dry wash, so I would venture to say they are well named. I suppose it is far easier to spot their favorite meals of lizards and snakes in an open area than in the brush and rocks of the desert.
The photograph I used to create my latest watercolor was taken in Donelly Wash near the Gila River, a very beautiful place to visit not too far from the old ghost town of Cochran.
The Roadrunner ( Geococcyx californianus ) in watercolor.
I suppose just about everybody associates the Coyote (Canis latrans ) with the American Southwest. Here in the area where I live they are often spotted along the roads and streets going about their business, although it is much more of an experience to encounter them in the wild.
I often think about those that have given up the call of the the wild and are content to scavenge the bowls of pet food left outside, and sometimes the pets themselves, and then there are those that have refused the temptations, preferring to remain free, uncompromising, and living the life of countless generations before them.
What would they say to one another if they should meet?
Either way it is nice to hear their songs late in the evening, whether in town or out in the wilderness.
Coyote in Watercolor
The list of wading birds of Arizona would not be complete without the largest and most often seen Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias )
This magnificent bird can be four feet tall or more and make a great subject for the camera, providing you have a long lens of course, as they are very easily disturbed. Their senses are very keen and they do not like intruders.
With this water theme, I guess I am obviously missing the monsoon season. It has been minimal at best this year, but hopefully the forecast of rain tomorrow and Wednesday will become a reality. I am ready for summer to be over and make a trip out to the desert in cooler temperatures.
The Great Blue Heron in Watercolor
I find it interesting that there could even be a theme of wading birds in a place such as Arizona. Myself included, you don’t normally think of Arizona in the context of having any wading birds, let alone several species.
It is always a treat to come upon them in some remote place where the water either flows year round, such as the Salt, Gila, or Rio Verde Rivers, or some of the few lakes we have that always maintain good water levels.
This bird is quite common in our area and is known for having the longest legs in proportion to its body size.
All of my art is available in a high quality print for as little as thirty dollars.
My latest watercolor… the Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus )
Continuing with the wading birds theme, I thought I should include another species that inhabits the waters of Arizona. The Green Heron (Butorides virescens ) is seen much more frequently than the previous Great Egret.
Speaking of water, we have finally received a good rain. I was beginning to think the monsoon season was going to leave us dry this year, but now it looks like we may have a few more days of precipitation. You really appreciate the rain when you live here, and no doubt the desert appreciates it even more.
The Green Heron in Watercolor
When I first moved to Arizona I didn’t expect there to be so many species of birds here. Like many people do, I guess I thought it would be more a land with both a lack of flora and fauna. It is quite the opposite, with a large diversity of plants and animals.
There is a park not far from me called the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, which consists of several large ponds that attract many species of birds. Needless to say, it is a great place to go for some photography. I captured this fairly rare ( In Arizona ) Great Egret ( Ardea albus ) wading about the murky waters in search of a meal.
The Great Egret in Watercolor
Most of us have heard the expression ‘King of the Jungle’ in reference to the lion in Africa, but the Mountain Lion (Puma concolor ) is pretty much king of the desert also. Other than human beings, it has no predators, placing it at the top of the food chain in Arizona. It is also the only animal in Arizona known to stalk and attack humans on rare occasions.
Even though I have not personally had the pleasure of spotting one in the wild, I did take the photograph of the one used for my latest painting at the Desert Museum in Tucson. It is a great place to visit if you get the chance. They have quite a few native species in natural habitats, both flora and fauna.
Mountain Lion in watercolor.
Even though they are not indigenous to Arizona, I do occasionally spot them in someones flower garden. They always remind me of my time spent in the Pacific Northwest. A very beautiful place…but those endless gloomy days most of the year make it tough for a sunshine lover.
Foxgloves in watercolor
natureartlife 