Life by the River
I was out cleaning debris out of the drainage channel this morning and the birds were out in force. They were enjoying the plum blossems and not paying too much attention to me so I slipped inside, grabbed my camera and took a few photos.
It’s not easy to sketch small birds as they’re going about their life. They flit around from branch to branch never staying still for long enough to get their likeness down on paper.
Other birds might sit still long enough…the cormorants sunning themself will sit for ages allowing me to sketch from life. Seagulls can stand on a jetty pier and barely move while I sketch.
This cresent honeyeater was a real flitter and I really had to get on with clearing the overflowing drain so taking some photos for a later sketch was the answer.
Sometimes you just need to take a photo ( or twenty!) and use them as source material. It’s not cheating, it’s simply practical and necessary for some subjects.
The rain is pouring down still so I’ll most likely get a chance to see this little bird out amongst the plum trees whilst I’m clearing the drain again tomorrow!
Lindy Whitton Studio 
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