Rainbow-Billed Toucan has a multi-coloured beak that looks in real life as if it has been painted with watercolours. Striking yellow, black and red plumage and bright blue legs set off the painterly bill on this very large tropical bird. It is also known as a keel-billed or sulfur-breasted toucan. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Chickadee Against a Blue Sky is sitting eagerly on a branch, its talons lightly gripping, its fluffy black and white feathers windblown. It looks intently downwards, and seems ready to descend to some tasty treat it has spied. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Red-headed Rooster struts his stuff against a dark green background. He is resplendent in a bright red comb and multi-coloured feathers of yellow ochre, blue, green, teal, orange, black and a rich brown. Digital painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Flamingo Fest is an exuberant gathering of dozens of pink flamingos in various positions enjoying the water and each other's company, painted in blues, indigo, violets, rose pinks and orange. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Spirits of the Forest - Loon is tattooed with wild raisin leaves and surrounded by common waterweed, yellow and white lily pads and flowers, water smartflower, reeds, watershield leaves and flowers, common pipeworth, and shoreline ferns. These birds have a number of haunting calls and are a precious experience during my time in Algonquin, Temagami and other wild areas of Ontario, Canada. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Chickadee in Wye Marsh is a small black and white bird with fluffy feathers clutching a branch as though preparing to sing. These friendly little birds are a welcome sight, especially in the winter. This little fellow was spotted at Wye Marsh, in Ontario, Canada. Charcoal drawing. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Spirits of the Forest - Whiskey Jack (from the Cree Wisakedjak , also known as the Canada Jay) is tattooed with winterberries and surrounded by bunchberries, common boneset, elderberries, sumac, violet-toothed polypore fungus, purple pore bracket fungus, winterberries and pine trees. Whiskey Jacks are not so much elusive and difficult to spot in dense foliage, but their call is a delight and something I listen for every time I visit Algonquin, Temagami and other wild areas of Ontario, Canada. They recently became Canada’s national bird. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
Chickadee Keeps Warm shows a little black and white bird resting on a lichen-covered branch against a soft pink background. Its feathers are fluffed up to stay warm, turning its small body into a round ball, and it looks off to one side, intrigued by something in the distance. Watercolour painting. Copyright © 2022 Patricia Nolan
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Birds fascinate me. On a forest walk the sound of birds singing and the flash of colour as they fly off is captivating. Yet they are so difficult to spot! I love the fine details of their feathers and colouring, the many postures in flight and at rest, and the sure grip of their feet. So elusive in nature, I do my best to capture them in art.