A Majestic Bird

Here is my latest painting—a Cedar Waxwing! What a gorgeous and almost regal bird! I’ve always thought they were a challenge to paint with all their subtle color shifts. Their bronze-brown bodies blend beautifully into grayish blue backs, touched here and there with very dark blue. Then you have those tiny reddish-orange tips on their wings and the bright lemon yellow on their tails—just stunning!

These birds are so easy to recognize with their sleek black “bandit” masks. They travel in flocks and love berries—sometimes eating so many fermented ones that they actually get drunk! I’ve seen it happen a few times, and it’s quite something to watch. I don’t spot them often, usually only in the spring, but when I see a flock of birds just a bit smaller than cardinals, I take a closer look. Sure enough, the little masked bandits have arrived!

If you live in the South, keep an eye out for them in the spring—you just might catch a glimpse of these beauties!