'Water Lover' oil on canvas 24 x 30

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Turkeys Over Bentick Island

What I affectionately refer to as Turkeys are
more properly called Turkey Vultures, a close relative to
the Condors. Here in my area they are in the midst
of the annual migration. It is an amazing spectacle
to see these huge birds as they form up into
large circling groups or 'kettles' as they rise on
thermals. The kettles can be just a few birds or large
groups in the hundreds. As they soar in the warm updrafts
they slowly start to peel off as they head south.
We always keep an eye out at this time of year
for what I call the "Turkey Parade", when on those
special days hundreds of birds will glide past, all using
the same route, often just at tree top height. One after
another for hours at a time.
This painting depicts a large kettle forming over
Bentick Island in Race Passage.
Oil on board 10 x 8.
Your comments are welcomed.
Jeffrey
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This painting is available for $200 CAD,
plus the cost of shipping.
Please email me to purchase using PayPal.

4 comments:

Ron Morrison said...

I had no idear these birds migrated...and in such large numbers! Thanks for the info...I see them eating road kill, now I know, "The Rest of the Story"!

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Ha ha! Had a bunch more go past when I was out painting on Friday.

Jeffrey

Ron Wilson said...

Hi Jeffrey
There's something Vincentish about this depiction - I like it. Gone are the russet colours, instead here are the neutral grays - the wavelets in the immediate foreground repeat the movement of the birds above. Your instincts are good - you did right to leave your home palette for a moment and brave the wider range of your painter's vision. All in all, I'd say you succeeded very well again. The respect for your subject shows.

Jeffrey J. Boron said...

Thanks for the critique Ron. They are magnificent birds. Although little known in our modern world they where a revered mythical creature to many groups of early peoples.