This is the largest species of the African Kingfisher's measuring up to 43cm and similar to a crow in size. They inhabit wooded areas along rivers, lakes and coastal lagoons. They generally perch on overhanging branches or rocks them swoop down on fish, crabs, rodents and lizards to feed.
These fiercely territorial birds nest in burrows, dug up to two meters deep into the upper parts of river banks. The the juvenile males normally have a fawn coloured chest and the adults brick red. Their large powerful beaks make them look rather strange in flight, and with an added loud call they are hard to miss.
This is the first of two paintings I was commissioned to do. The picture supplied by the client looks like it could have once been part of a calendar. The client is an avid birder and if he is satisfied with these two then there could be more work for me in the pipe line. I love painting birds and it is even more gratifying to be paid to for doing something I love.
To those of you who have commented and not had a response, my humble apologies. Along with the deadline to finish these paintings I am busy packing up my home here to go to my daughter in NZ for a while. Thank you all for your kind and inspiring words.
These fiercely territorial birds nest in burrows, dug up to two meters deep into the upper parts of river banks. The the juvenile males normally have a fawn coloured chest and the adults brick red. Their large powerful beaks make them look rather strange in flight, and with an added loud call they are hard to miss.
This is the first of two paintings I was commissioned to do. The picture supplied by the client looks like it could have once been part of a calendar. The client is an avid birder and if he is satisfied with these two then there could be more work for me in the pipe line. I love painting birds and it is even more gratifying to be paid to for doing something I love.
To those of you who have commented and not had a response, my humble apologies. Along with the deadline to finish these paintings I am busy packing up my home here to go to my daughter in NZ for a while. Thank you all for your kind and inspiring words.
8 comments:
As always, your bird paintings are wonderful! Makes me wish I were the commissioner on this one.
Perhaps I can get you to do a composite of all my birds. That would be awesome!
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Thanks Margaret
I just love painting birds and furthermore I get to learn a whole lot about all the different species. A composite bird painting would make for an interesting challege
Hi Caroline,
Congratulations on this commissioned painting.Is there any doubt about your client finding this piece very striking, and giving you more commissioned work to accomplish? I think not.
I hope you have a wonderful time in New Zealand. I heard it is a beautiful country with a population of sheep that outnumber humans - now that would be a truly peaceful place...LOL!
I have seen it only in films and of course on the Lord of the Rings trilogy - but even that included Computer Generated Images.
Good luck then, and have great bonding experience with your daughter. :-) --Durano, done!
This is lovely! I have seen a kingfisher sitting on a bridge and it was quite memorable; they are such unique birds. I found your blog through Christy DeKoning's.
Beautiful painting. And as what Durano said, it is no surprise that you will be given more commissioned work to accomplish.
New Zealand ... my friends is thinking of a trip to New Zealand and I will definitely love to join them if schedule permits. Those sceneries in the movie Lord of the Rings are simply awesome.
Your work is just beautiful; so well done!
http://themommyandmeboutique.blogspot.com
ehmm..i am not an artist but i can feel your paint is very good..you can draw living creatures nicely..
Caroline, I greatly admire your art. On my blog I've started a monthly Personality Feature - Every one has a story. I have featured two other women involved with Entrecard blogging. I would love to feature you and your art work. If you would be interested would you be so kind to contact me on my blog: http://themommyandmeboutique.blogspot.com
To view the other two features you will have to scroll quite a ways and there is also a feature about me that was done - you would have to scroll down to older posts.
Thank you for reading this; looking forward to hearing from you.
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