Welcome bird lovers!

My family has named the little bay we live in "Merganser Bay" because of the Hooded Mergansers that call it home, but we do also have Common Mergansers, Mallards, Widgeon, Cormorants, Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Black Turnstones and lots of other birds floating our flying past our windows. These sightings have inspired some of my artwork, which I will share with you today.

Hooded Merganser 

We call them Hoodies and we see them every winter in our bay. 

They are like friends to us.

Northern Shoveler 

I saw my first Shovelers last month and I find them fascinating.

Red-breasted Nuthatch 

My friend Jackie has two Red-breasted Nuthatches that visit her feeder.
She's nicknamed them Mr and Mrs Psycho because of the way they fly.

White Tern

Like many of the Hawaain birds, I was fascinated by the White Tern 

when I went there in 2012, but never got to see one.

Speaking of Hawaii, when I was there, the Laysan's albatross were nesting and it was hilarious to see them walking their goofy walks through people's gardens. I also loved the Golden Plovers we saw on the beaches and lawns. And the highlight of my trip was seeing 

the Short Eared Owl, or Pueo.

 

 

Photos: copyright Joanna Streetly

(My Mum)