Malachite Kingfisher

 Sometimes a customer likes to see me challenged. This was one of those times. The request was for a Malachite Kingfisher with the crest feathers raised.

 
The crest feathers were individually carved. Each one is about 3 mm wide and between 6 and 20 mm long. I don't recommend dropping and stepping on them. I ended up making a lot more than I had planned.

Eastern Chipmunk

Recently I had a request for a Chipmunk holding an acorn. 

 

First I created a clay model.

Next I turned the acorn on a lathe.

                           

                  

  

                Then I cut the profile out of basswood and started shaping.

 

 

 

I decided to compare the carving to a live chipmunk. 

At first he was a little camera shy.

Then he decided to pose nicely. 
More work needs to be done.

 Everything is pretty well shaped up. 
The lower part of the tail is carved out of the same block of wood as the rock.

Here's the finished carving, painted with acrylics.

Flicker Carving Video

Here's a brief video of the Northern Flicker that I recently carved.

Recent Carvings

Rufous-bellied Niltava

This species is found in Thailand. The bird is carved from basswood and the rock is butternut.
They are both painted with acrylics.

 

Painted Bunting

This bird is found in the Southern United States.

I loved painting all the wonderful colors.

 

 

Tufted Titmouse
I see lots of these little guys at the feeder during the winter.

Cross Country Companions



This carving of an Eastern Chipmunk and Mountain Bluebird was requested by a young woman to represent her relationship with her mentor from across the country.







This was my first Chipmunk carving so I began with a clay model.







 I cut out the basic basswood form on the band saw.
It's a little larger so it can be adjusted for foot placement.



The carving process starts.





The tail is added and carving is completed.



 





 The Chipmunk is finished with acrylic paints. 





 This female Mountain Bluebird is the Chipmunk's companion.

Together

Summer Diversions

This summer I took a trip to Maine to see Puffins. We couldn't land on Machias Seal Island because of rough seas, but we did get good views of Puffins and Razorbills.

Puffins and Razorbills  with a fledgling Puffin at lower right

Puffins

Razorbills with Puffins on rocks behind

Back home, I was eating a slice of watermelon one day and decided a slice was a great shape for a bench, so I created this Watermelon Bench.

Watermelon Bench

                                                                               

What's that bird in the background?

The background bird is a Hoopoe. It is found in much of Europe, Asia, and Africa and is the national bird of Israel. 

                                                                                  

The unusual crest and delicate beak made it a challenge to carve.

                                                                                

  The bird is carved from basswood and the base is butternut.