Philby's Partridge and Arabian Cobra

This is a Philby's Partridge (Alectoris philbyi) in a confrontation with an Arabian Cobra (Naja arabica). The bird is of a restricted range in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and there is a need for conservation efforts. Rabbi Chaim Loike of the Orthodox Union in New York is working on preserving the species, for which he has found a Mesorah, that is, a written record of its kosher status. I will be working more on this species this year, and also on a type of kosher white Mallard which Rabbi Loike keeps in his aviary, along with the partridges. Earlier this year he held a paint-and-tell session at the Orthodox Union where I met his duck and he gave me some of her eggs, with which I will paint it in tempera grassa, that is, egg yolk and hemp oil. 

Pale Male drawing

 

A drawing of Pale Male for the upcoming book Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the City of New York.

Bald Eagle drawing

Bald Eagle drawing for the upcoming book Eagles, Hawks & Falcons of the City of New York.

Hooded falcon sketch

This is a hooded falcon I am working on now for the upcoming Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of the City of New York.

Eagles, Hawks and falcons of the City of New York

Long time since I've blogged here, been busy, but am returning to the easle to work on more art. The Red-tailed painting has been worked on more, building drama with more black feathers from the doomed crow. This and other raptors here are found in New York, and the project at hand is a book dedicated to raptors of NYC. Pale Male is still in residence in Central Park, although a number of his mates and offspring have succumbed to rat poison and have met other fates; this year alone three hawks were found dead, believed to have met their fate through poison - as yet the culprit is still at large, and autopsy reports have been neglected despite the call for them by Lincolm Karim (click here to see his site). Another lost Buteo is Violet, who was banded improperly at New York University and developed an infection due to the band. In all there are over a dozen raptors, including eagles (only migratory), falcons, a harrier, a vulture, three accipiters, and two other species of Buteo. Presently there will be postings of developing art work on this project, and/or photographs. Stay tuned!

HERON HAWKING IN DAYS OF YORE
After posting my own developing sketch of heron hawking, I found an old lithograph of the same, so here are the twain, side by side.

HAWKING AT HERONS
This is my newest pencil sketch, in a yet slightly unfinished state, as more loose feathers are still being drawn. It is a sort of study for a Saker on a Houbara, so stay posted for developments.