Let me keep my mind

on what matters

which is mostly standing still

and learning to be

astonished.

Mary Oliver

This is a great time of year to be spending some time indoors and although many of the native bird species have migrated to their winter habitats, it’s actually given me a  chance to study them and learn more. I’ve been inspired by John Muir Laws (and his guide to drawing birds), who is a wonderful naturalist, teacher, and artist. The pictures included in this post are taken from my sketchbook and contain those studies.  Already I know that I’ll be in better shape to observe and capture the real thing, ideally on the Bruce Peninsula (in warmer weather)…and be astonished.