This painting has been selected as the new 2009 Oregon Ducks Unlimited Sponsor print. A lone drake redhead rockets into the marsh at Fern Ridge Wildlife Area. I saw this scene during the Spring, which is why the drakes colors are so striking - it's breeding season. More information and the artist proof prints are available here.
This cattle egret is in it's breeding plumage. Normally, it is a pure white bird, but the orange tinge and wispy feathering shows up during the Spring to help attract a mate. The dark background helps highlight the subtle color differences of this elegant bird.
I saw this wren flitting and darting amongst a brush pile and thought he might look good against some reeds. The purpose of the reeds is not only to provide some natural habitat but to give the painting direction most of the movement follows the birds gaze. To see more information regarding this painting you can follow this link - Bewick's Wren. 
A group of alert mule deer stand under a juniper tree in the fading evening light as the last rays of sun brush across the landscape. This is high desert country and these deer are located in the saddle of a butte. They are naturally wary because of their main predator in the area - the mountain lion. Their large ears focus for any unusual sound that may mean they could be in trouble.
