03/09/2026
The Raptor
6x8” oil color study on linen panel
August 24, 2024
This small painting is the color study for a larger painting idea from an experience I had while out painting in the field en plein air.
On that afternoon, I had originally intended to resume painting on a plein air piece that I had started on my prior plein air session at Caddy Park. After having set all my paints and supplies up and painting well underway, I noticed something moving directly before me above my head.
Located in the tree just in front of my easel, was perched in the highest branches, a large Red-Tailed Hawk.
As soon as I realized this, I dropped my brushes and grabbed my camera. Instead of painting, I spent the first whole hour shooting almost two-hundred images of this magnificent bird. He had chosen a branch shadowed by the abundant foliage of the oak leaves.
Only when the winds blew the foliage apart, the light finally struck the pristine white plumage of his breast feathers as he turned to sit in this classic portrait pose.
For a moment, he turned and stared directly into my eyes and we both asked questions, silently awaiting answers each one from the other.
While I didn’t realize it at first, I noticed that he was pecking fervently at something in his clutches of his long, sharp talons.
He had caught a rabbit as his prey. When I approached the base of the tree where he was perched, he watched me in defiance. Shortly after, spread his wings and soared into the soft branches of the neighboring pines.
