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.