White-Rumped Shama Thrush

The photos above are of male White-Rumped Shama Thrush.   They are quite beautiful and have a wonderful rich song.   They were first introduced from Malaysia to the Island of Kauai in 1931 and on Oahu in 1940.  It is rather a large bird....9 to 11 inches.   

The above photo is a female Shama Thrush that has bitten off more than she can chew.... a creepy centipede.   Notice that the female is duller in color than the male and has a bit smaller tail.   Below are a couple of my photos of baby Shamas.

As of this date, I have only painted one Shama Thrush.   Below is the reference photo and the painting.

Shama Thrush

12" x 12" Acrylic on panel

One of the reference photos for the acrylic painting above.

All of the shown photographs were taken at two different botanical gardens on Oahu, but occasionally I have seen Shama Thrush elsewhere on the island.  They are not backyard birds and tend to stay primarily in forests.   One time I saw a handsome male Shama at a well landscaped restaurant in the suburbs of Honolulu.   

These photos were taken when my camera was fairly new and I was just learning how to use it.  But the photos are at least clear enough to give you a good idea of the coloring, etc., of this much loved bird. 

Blue Heaven Cattleya Orchid

I fell in love with this orchid and had no choice but to purchase it !   It is a cattleya orchid by the name of Blue Heaven, although in reality it was more of a pale lavender than a blue color.    I am sad to say, that after blooming it died on me; I am not very successful at growing orchids.   Other plants, yes; orchids, no.  However, I was able to capture it in many photographs.   Below are a few more shots I took.

Below is one of many still life setups I photographed of this orchid for use as a reference for a future painting.  I realize that yellow pot doesn't really work very well in this photo as well as the fact that the green pot with the orchid does not fit into it properly,  but I had no orchid ceramic pot large enough to do the job.  Besides, I can use artistic license and paint the pot another color and make it fit when I compose the painting.

"The flower that follows the sun does so even in cloudy days."  - Robert Leighton

We can take a lesson from that quote, or should I say from the flowers themselves.   

Waikiki Sunrise

"There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope." - Bern Williams

"Climb up on some hill at sunrise.  Everybody needs perspective once in a while, and you'll find it there." - Robb Sagendorph

Both of these photos were taken on the same morning at Waikiki.   There is always something very tranquil about a sunrise.   These photos are very inspiring and I hope to paint from them before too long.  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said "Talent develops in tranquility."  It is important to keep your art studio quiet and tranquil so you can concentrate on the work at hand.   However, many artists play music to paint by, including myself....but not always.   I prefer soft classical music but sometimes I just want perfect quiet while I create.   

Although this blog is intended to be of  primarily nature and wildlife as well as landscapes and seascapes, it is impossible not to include buildings and people from time to time.   On this post I was primarily focusing on the sunrise, of course.   Below is a  photo of wildlife found at Waikiki Beach.

Black-Crowned Night Heron 

These herons are unique to the islands, but closely resemble the USA mainland's Black-crowned night herons.   They are literally to be found everywhere; this fellow found a nice perch on a warning sign about dangerous surf.   It is about time I painted another portrait of this bird.   

"Gotcha!"

12" x 16" acrylic

The above painting of a Black-crowned night heron won an award in a local art show not too long ago.  It is still available for purchase.   

More sunrise paintings will follow at an another time .   Enjoy!

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Residents Of Waikiki (Waterfowl and Koi)

"O Lord, what a variety of things You have made!  In wisdom You have made them all.  The earth is full of Your creatures."  Psalm 104:24

Drake Wood Ducks

White-faced Whistling Duck

Black-Necked Swan

Lesser Flamingos

Hungry Koi 

These photographs were taken at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki and are a sampling of some of the non-human residents there.   I go there as often as I can to just enjoy them and take new photos.  Below is a view of Diamondhead, an extinct volcano, as seen from the beach at the Hilton.

This will be a good reference photo for a new painting.   I hope you enjoyed your visit here today and please  return again soon.

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Cereus - Night Blooming Cactus

"Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity." - John Ruskin

The Cereus or night-blooming cactus is a vineing cactus that grows in several parts of the world.  The flowers are rather large and quite beautiful , and the pitaya or dragon fruit (strawberry pear) is produced from this plant.   There is one main area on Oahu where I take reference photographs of it every July.  I leave early in the morning and try to arrive there about 6 in the morning, because by 10 a.m. or so the flowers have begun to fade from the sun.   

This close-up shot reveals raindrops on the petals and gives an excellent view of the center detail of the blossom.   Below is a recent painting of mine completed from a reference photo.

"Serious About Cereus"

12" x 12" Oil on canvas

Thank you for visiting today !

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North Shore, Oahu - Waimea Bay

Today I just needed to get out of the studio for a while, and when I heard the surf on the North Shore of Oahu was going to peak today at 18 to 22 feet I knew where I needed to be.    I visited 3 beaches today, but below are some photos of Waimea Bay you will enjoy.

The top photo is fantastic to give you an idea of how high the waves were today.  The lifeguards at the beach kept telling people there was no swimming allowed as it was too dangerous and there were rip currents.   In the winter the North Shore of Oahu always has high surf periods, and people come from all over the world to view or participate in the surfing competitions held here at that time.  

I have painted Waimea Bay a couple of times.  I have included the lifeguard boat in the paintings, but they keep moving the boat almost every time I am there.   I am rather found of that boat !  (To include in paintings, that is).   Below is a photo of it taken today .

Please visit again soon as I will be posting more beach photographs in the future, plus a variety of other subject matter as well.

Moonscapes

This photo was taken around 7:30 or so yesterday morning and I was just thrilled to capture a rainbow over the moon !   I was out on my lanai (patio) from around 6:30 a.m. (before daylight) on Tuesday and got some good shots of the moon itself while it was still dark.  It rained a little , and as it became daylight this beautiful rainbow appeared.   I quickly took a few photos and how inspiring they are to me for future paintings.
Below are some other "moonscapes" also taken from my lanai.

Three of the above photographs were taken yesterday; the second one from the top with the full moon was taken about a month ago.    I must paint the "rainbow over the moon" very soon!    Below is a miniature painting of mine of the moon at sunset.

Thank you for visiting !

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