Friday, May 14, 2010

Swallow Tailed Bee Eater

Birds again.

I did this last week while I was still 'alive'.  At the moment I'm half dead with the dreaded winter 'flu!  Serves me right for always opening my mouth and saying 'I never get sick!!'  Cough, cough, splutter, splutter, not fun.  Must get better by tomorrow as there's a really Important Rugby Game on!

But back to birds.  This is a Swallow Tailed Bee Eater which is indigenous to my part of the world, although you don't see them in the Cape.  Another of John Kennekam's beautiful photos - thank you John, I loved the colours and the 'evil eye' the bird gives you.


47 comments:

Prabal said...

Oh Liz,
Get well soon..I am sure you'll be back on your feet for the game..

Your birds just continue to awe me.. This is one of the best untill the next one of course..

I am keeping myself off cricket now a days.. As of now I hate cricket.. Capoiera and kalari are also not going well as the teacher himself is irregular..

SharonWrightArtist said...

THIS IS JUST FABULOUS, LIZ. I THINK YOU HAVE FOUND YOUR SUBJECT, YOU SEEM TO REACH INTO THEIR SOULS.

Anthony Duce said...

Wonderful painting of the bird. Hope you are well soon.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Love your bird images, Liz. You really handle the subject well.

Hope you are back on your feet soon!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

You can't go wrong with a bird painting, in my book. This one is especially lovely.

As to the "evil eye..."--He probably didn't want his picture taken--shy and hadn't had his coffee!

I found your site on Art for Life. I'm so glad I did.

Rosemary said...

Love this little fellow! Beautiful soft painting. My favorite in this series so far! So sorry the flu caught you! Hope you are well in no time at all!

Barbara Pask said...

Another wonderful bird painting Liz! So sorry you aren't well, hopefully every day will be a bit better. Take care

Avocaken said...

I'm told that a "hot toddy" (sp?) will fix the flu. Two fingers of bourbon, a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix the sugar and lemon juice and pour down the sink then drink the bourbon. :-) Repeat four times. You won't care that you have the flu. :-)

Try it! You'll like it!

LOVE your birds! GOOD JOB!

Ken B.

Two French Bulldogs said...

Beautiful painting. We will keep all our paws crossed so you feel better
Benny & Lily

Unknown said...

Your birds are always a bright spot on my blog hopping.

I am so sorry you're under weather Liz. Lots of fluids and rest my dear and you'll be better to enjoy that game tomorrow. hugs!

Michelle said...

Beautiful bird and lovely color! It's fun to see these birds from your part of the world. Hope you get feeling better!

Maree Clarkson said...

Beautifully done Liz! You've captured the look these birds get in their eye perfectly!

Autumn Leaves said...

Liz, this little fellow is exquisitely painted. What a gem of a portrait, really. You've captured a softness that I always associate with birds; they are so fragile, so soft. Really stunning piece!

I also hope that you do indeed feel better today. I'm not coughing and spluttering but I think I am in the throes of a sinus infection so can relate a bit to the misery of not feeling well.

paintnpencil said...

Hi and love your bird painting. I hope your feeling better really soon, try some eucalyptus smeared around your bed, pillow, etc, it does help with the breathing.

r garriott said...

A stunning avian portrait! Audubon would be impressed.

Marian Fortunati said...

Gosh, Liz this is absolutely wonderful!!!..
Not only is the bird itself a beautiful sample of natural artistry, but your painting is AMAZING!!!

I love it!!!

Hope you feel better really soon!!

Manon said...

Your bird is absolutely stunning!!
Get well soon!!

Vern Schwarz said...

Hope you're feeling better Liz. Love this bird and your beautiful painting of him. Those brilliant greens and yellows just pop.

marty said...

C'est une très belle aquarelle avec cet oiseau aux couleurs magnifiques !
je te souhaite un prompt rétablissement et cette mauvaise grippe ne sera plus qu'un mauvais souvenir !
à bientôt Liz

Art with Liz said...

Hi there Prabal and thanks for the great compliment. I didn't make the game - just wasn't feeling up to it, but our team did win, so we have a Super 14 semi final in Cape Town next weekend. Yay! I guess we'll get over our cricket blues pretty soon and I hope your Capoiera and kalari blues clear up as well.


What an amazing thing to say Sharon! Wow. Thank you.

Art with Liz said...

Hi Tony, thank you for both the kind words and the good wishes. I'm getting there!


I've decided a like doing them as well Carol - thank you so much!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for finding me so that I in turn can visit you! And for the lovely comment.


Thank you Rosemary, he is quite a pretty fellow isn't he! And I'll be running around again really soon.

Art with Liz said...

Hello Barbara, thank you, and I am feeling so much better already!


Darn Ken, I had to substitute the bourbon for whisky and all it did was make me sleep for a long time!! Thanks for the great advice and the great comment!

Art with Liz said...

Dear sweet Benny and Lily, bless you and thank you.


Hi there special Sheila, thank you! I didn't make the game - had to watch it on tv, but we won!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Michelle, thank you! It was James Parker's bird challenge that started all this - I thought that there must be birds that we get here that are nowhere else, and found some really pretty ones!


Gosh Maree, I thought of you when I posted this and checked up that I had the name right this time! Had to search for the swallow tailed variety, but found him!! Thank you!

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Sherry, don't get sick, not in Spring, there's too much to do! Look after yourself and use salt water on those sinuses! Thank you for the lovely compliment about my bee eater!


Hello PaintnPencil, haven't seen anything from you for a while! Thank you for the visit and I did the eucalyptus in the steaming. Works a treat doesn't it! Hope you post again soon.

Art with Liz said...

Hi R, had to look up Audubon - don't get it here! and what a fantastic thing to say. Thank you!


Gosh Marian you always make my day with your great comments. Thank you dear lady!

Art with Liz said...

Aah Manon, thank you so very much!


Thank you Vern! I don't very often use a green, but veridian seemed to fit the bill for this bird!

Art with Liz said...

Dear Marty thank you so much. And I am getting better!

Crystal Cook said...

Liz, your bird paintings are so beautiful :) I love them!

Ajay Patil said...

its your specialization , when it comes to paintiung birds, beautiful

Marie Theron said...

Get well soon, Liz! I can see you getting very famous for these gentle bird studies!I can see a set of cards!Thanks for commenting on my painting even though you were not well!

Unknown said...

Sweet Liz, hope you get better soon;)

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Crystal, I really appreciate the comment!


Hi Ajay. I do like doing them, so thank you for that.

Art with Liz said...

Dear Marie, thank you so much! Famous? I thought artists only became famous when they were dead!! Oh dear. Nice thought though!


Bless you Sam, thank you!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Oh my gosh,,,
you painted that birdies portait?
So very awsome. I can feel her breath as she breathes.
Thank you for coming to visit me.
I send you wishes so you feels better soon
Come back again.
love
tweedles

Prabal said...

Hi Liz,
Hope you have become all right by now.. I was supporting England and they won. :).. Convincingly..

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Wow...this is an amazing painting Liz! The soft background adds depth to the painting!
I'm so late in commenting! Hope by now you are feeling well :)

Art with Liz said...

Hi Tweedles, thank you for the return visit! I hope you are feeling good? I'm much better - and I'm glad you like my little bird.


Hey there Prabal - I'm also kind of glad England won - over here we call it the SA 'B' team with 3 ex-South Africans playing for them! KP was magnificent!

Art with Liz said...

KarolR I absolutely cannot read what you've written and also cannot access your blog!


I'm much better thank you Ramesh and I really appreciate your visit - doesn't matter how late!

Arti said...

Your birds never fail to amaze...this one is just beautiful!hope you are feeling better now, Liz.

Priti said...

Your bird is beautiful Liz. Hope you feel better soon.

Denise SCARAMAI said...

Elizabeth, I am delighted with your wonderful work!
congrats! lots of details, lots of history ...
I want time to enjoy all blog!
a hug
Denise

Sadia said...

I love the sharp expression you've captured Liz! Very nicely done!
Hope you feel better soon , take care!
Hugs,Sadia

Mineke Reinders said...

I love all your bird paintings, but this has to be my favorite. Not only does this guy have a great expression, but your colors and edges are so natural and harmonious, it just brings him to life. Excellent work. Glad to hear (from today's post) that you're feeling better.

rob ijbema said...

i love birds,especially painted ones liz!
you can't have been that ill,painting so well!

Ankita said...

hey dear

ur art is soo good!
u r blogrolled for life :)