Sunday, May 2, 2010

Bokkom Lane Pelicans

I love my new digital camera!

When we went up the West Coast last month to Velddrif, I took picture after picture after picture!  It's quick and easy, not like my old one which seemed to take an age between photos and then run out of battery before I could get into my stride. 

So while we were ambling around Bokkom Lane in Velddrif, I was happy snapping this group of pelicans.  They suddenly seemed to take off down river to inspect something, and this painting comes from after their inspection, before returning to point A.

33 comments:

marty said...

this is a beautiful painting !
ces pélicans qui se reflètent dans l'eau bleu ! magnifique !

Prabal said...

Your bird series is really rocking.. I feel their movement on the water..

India v/s SA just got over.. SA did well in the end, but they were an over or two late I thought in starting the onslaught. Hope your prediction comes true.. :)

Marie Theron said...

I love your pelicans and you painted the "Berg River blue" so well. I could only see one of these guys when I was there, so your timing must have been perfect!

Anthony Duce said...

Beautiful painting, you handle the water so well. Digital cameras are wonderful. you can view the images immediately to know when you have what you want.

Becky said...

A lake very close to me is filled with white pelicans. So strange to see them in the city and no less in fresh water. They are such a dazzling white. When the they are directly in the sun you just about to wear sunglasses. They must come aways to here as the beaches are at least 70 miles from on either coast. Love your birds! Thanks for the email!

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

This is a beautiful painting - the blues of the water really sparkle and make the pelicans show up so well. Gorgeous!

Celeste Bergin said...

I love pelicans--you've done a great job with this!

Arti said...

And they look happy,too!Very nice feel... lovely painting, Liz.

Autumn Leaves said...

I love pelicans; such an interesting bird, especially when their mouths are full. Great use of blues and whites here, Marie. These babies actually look happy and content!

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

What a wonderful composition Liz...and the execution is beautifully done! Love this!

Avocaken said...

You made those big, ungainly, plain birds BEAUTIFUL! Good job! They're so funny to watch when they fish but I rarely see them "swimming".

Love the composition and colors!

Ken B.

martinealison said...

Magnifique harmonie de couleurs et quel beau spectacle que cette procession de pélicans. Belle peinture.

Unknown said...

I dont often see people painting these Liz, really nice to see)

Willy. said...

I feel happy,
looking at your last job!
merci beaucoup,Willy.

Anonymous said...
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Ramesh Jhawar said...

This is a lovely painting Liz!

Vern Schwarz said...

Liz, I love pelicans, and these look awesome. They are on my to do list, but they don't seem to like hanging around for photo sessions. Your composition and loose strokes are great.

Art with Liz said...

Merci Marty - the river really is that blue!


Hi Prabal, I'm really enjoying the birds! As far as SA is concerned, they are playing really poor cricket - don't think the team mix is right for 20/20 - India have had the benefit of IPL, that's why I think they'll win the World Cup!

Art with Liz said...

Ah Marie, a river you know so well! There were hundreds of pelicans when we were there - strange birds!


Thank you so much Tony. I discovered a rather nice feature on my camera - I can zoom in on sections of the pic before deciding whether I want it or not! Cool huh!

Art with Liz said...

Becky, your pelican story reminds me of Maree and her seagulls hundreds of kilometers inland! Birds are so adaptable!


Thank you so much Claire.

Art with Liz said...

Wow Celeste, thank you! I think all birds are great - even vultures!

Art with Liz said...

They should be happy Arti. They get well fed hanging around that area where they dry the fish!


Thank you dear Sherry. Never saw any with their mouths full while we were there!

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Saundra! Thank you so much - goes with your bird in the previous post!!


Thank you so much Ken. These ones swim back and forth waiting for the next handout!

Art with Liz said...

Wow Martine, I understood what you said without the translation! Thank you so much.


Thank you Sam!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Willy, thank you for the visit! When you write in Flemish, I can understand you!


Dear Ramesh, thank you so much!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Vern, thank you so much for the comment and the visit. I will try and source another of the pelican pics for you to paint if you like!

Gary Keimig said...

You are doing some wonderful work Liz. Like all your recent posts.
Aren't those digitals great. Although we are in our 4th day of off and on snow and cold temps[15 degreesF last night]I went out for a couple of hours this morning looking for Grizzlies and or wolves. Only saw 6 elk and a zillion Mule Deer but the mornings clearing snow storm with fresh snow made for a beautiful morning and I shot 60 pictures in 2 hours. Thank God for digitals.

Art with Liz said...

Wow Gary, thank you! I am so looking forward to seeing some of those pics - I keep looking at your posted challenge pics, but because I don't know those beautiful animals, I find them difficult to paint. Now a wolf or two would be great!!

Anonymous said...

I would be lost without my digital camera. Your birds paintings are great. Love the pelicans. They contrast well against the nice blue of the lake.
Jean

Dean H. said...

Love your pelicans, Liz! You've shown them in all their glory!

Marian Fortunati said...

Wonderful painting, Liz.... My favorite pelican views are when they are just a few feet off the water soaring in formation.... Looking for their next meal...
They are awkward looking individually but so beautiful and elegant in flight as a group.

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Jean, thank you so much. Can you believe that that is the colour of the Berg River so close to the mouth!! It's magic.


Thank you Dean - white birds are now the thing!! Not as elegant as swans, I still thought these birds were rather graceful swimming around.


Dear Marian, thank you. I do have some pics of them just taking off on the lookout for food - maybe I should relook that pic for painting? Hmmm.

Unknown said...

Liz thank you for the kind words on my rare landscapes this morning. YOu made my day, then of course I saw your pelicans and had it made all over again. How I love your water, so bright and blue, and these funny, happy birds.
sending warm hugs from Dallas!