Monday, September 21, 2015

Turning The Page: One Bird At A Time.

As many of you know I LOVE birds. Always have, always will. All birds, rare and common.  We keep chicken and ducks. I have been raising chickens now for over 25 years.  I have my favorite breeds. I am always googling "buy magpie, crow, usa."  If I lived in the UK I would already have them by now. The USA is a bit stringent on keeping wild birds. I was told Magpies are not a protected bird. So that's why I go by Polkadot Magpie...freedom from Government "protection." Perhaps when we no longer have our poultry a corvid will come to me.  I've always believed that what I am seeking is also seeking me.  I know in my heart...one will come. In the meantime, 28 chickens and 6 ducks will keep me busy!
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There are some true stories on the internet about relationships with wild birds. One that has thrilled me beyond all others is "Penguin the Magpie."  An Australian boy and his family rescued a baby magpie (not the NorthAmerican version). She's black and white- more of the markings of a Pied Crow. They have an Instagram page I have been following: penguinthemagpie.  A book is due out soon. The photos are incredible.  Recently she has flown away. She's of mating age, and is probably doing what a wild bird does.  We are hoping she returns with her babies.  We've had ducks fly away for weeks knowing they had a nest somewhere. They came back. I hope Penguin will too.  Molly the owl delighted millions with her Owl Cam. The world watched through the internet her first hatch with such rapt attention...you'd think they were the first birds to ever hatch on the planet!  So I know I have lots of avian friends.
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I rarely show work in progress. But I am happy to show quick sketches in my sketchbook. I have been thinking of a series of crazy birds. There are so many real ones, that are fun.  Some will be turned into solar plates, some into Collographs. It should be fun. Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift, open now.

xo
Suz




NO PHOTOS FROM THIS BLOG MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE BLOGGER AND POLKADOT MAGPIE.