Fine With Phoebe

Posted on July 29, 2014 by foresterartist

The Black Phoebe in pen and ink.

Every year we have an addition built on our home. We don’t build it ourselves. The black phoebe families build their mud and twig nests under our western roof peaks when they come to stay.

This beautifully beak crafted addition to our home is a classic phoebe nest.

At a different roof peak, another phoebe family built their new nest on top of last seasons nest. I think this addition was built by the Picasso of the Phoebe world.

These little flycatchers strike fear in the hearts of mosquitoes! They’re always welcome moving in with us. Besides, I don’t mind a little mud.

“It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.”
Aesop

38 thoughts on “Fine With Phoebe”

poppytump on July 29, 2014 at 1:23 am said:

What a lovely little drawing Tim !
😀 at Picasso reference …

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:36 am said:
  
  Thank you Poppy. I was just trying to be positive about the second nest, therefore, our little phoebes must have an artistic aptitude.
  
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lindamartinandersen on July 29, 2014 at 2:13 am said:

Tim,
What a lovely story! Clever title, art, quote, humor, happy ending. A collection of little bird stories would make a perfect book for bird lovers and bird watchers. What a great teaching tool too. You have a gift for sharing nature with us. Thank you!

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:37 am said:
  
  Thank you so much Linda. I think you are trying to give me more homework! 😉
  
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Midwestern Plant Girl on July 29, 2014 at 3:20 am said:

Great pen n ink as always! I would love to have a few at my house. They’d have plenty of food flying around!

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:39 am said:
  
  Thank you Ilex. I’d send you a couple if I could catch them!
  
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cmartzloff on July 29, 2014 at 4:40 am said:

Lovely addition! I have barnswallows nesting in the upper corner of my front door. I see similarities in the nest construction. I really enjoy watching them in their process.

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:43 am said:
  
  Yes, they are a lot like the swallows. We have swallows that occasionally hunt bugs over our ponds. They nest under a nearby bridge. Phoebes like water too, which is probably why they like our house, because we have ponds nearby.
  
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Arts & Rhymes on July 29, 2014 at 6:02 am said:

What an intricate drawing! Beautiful! 🙂

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:45 am said:
  
  Thank you so much Sibella!
  
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Mirna Morgan on July 29, 2014 at 6:16 am said:

WOW! Perfect!!!!! Did i tell you that you are a fantastic artist??? You are my friend….

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:47 am said:
  
  Thank you Mirna! You are much too kind. 🙂
  
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Mary on July 29, 2014 at 6:48 am said:

Love your drawing of the flycatcher, one of my favorite birds. The nests are quite fascinating. I was wondering how you and Mary are doing with the incredible fires around you, please let us know – the last I remember you guys decided not to go to the camp. Take care ~

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:51 am said:
  
  Thank you Mary. The fire situation is much better at the moment. It never reached camp and CalFire has declared it contained. They will moniter it for awhile. There are a couple of major fires down in the Southern Sierras, but they are a long way from us. I think they are making progress on those. We’re just keeping our fingers crossed that things settle down.
  
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judysbirds on July 29, 2014 at 7:17 am said:

Beautiful drawing. This has to be one of my favorites of your drawings!

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:52 am said:
  
  Thank you Judy, I’m so glad you like it!
  
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violetski on July 29, 2014 at 7:50 am said:

Lovely drawing Tim!

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- foresterartist on July 29, 2014 at 11:52 am said:
  
  Thank you Violet. 🙂
  
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Bernice on July 30, 2014 at 5:51 pm said:

Great pictures and drawing!!

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- foresterartist on July 30, 2014 at 6:43 pm said:
  
  Thank you Bernice!
  
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  - Bernice on July 31, 2014 at 9:36 am said:
    
    🙂
    
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elenacaravela on July 31, 2014 at 7:43 pm said:

How they are able to create those nests is beyond me. Nature’s triumph. LOVE your drawing Tim!

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- foresterartist on July 31, 2014 at 8:10 pm said:
  
  Thank you Elena. And to think, no one teaches them how to do it.
  
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Cowboys and Crossbones on August 1, 2014 at 1:15 pm said:

What a beautiful bird that makes a mud nest. I’d be happy to see them to if they scare mosquitoes!

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- foresterartist on August 1, 2014 at 2:47 pm said:
  
  I bet Ted and NC would like to see them to!
  
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ruthsartwork on August 3, 2014 at 6:15 pm said:

Very nice drawing, Tim. I am sure Picasso would appreciate the reference, too.

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- foresterartist on August 4, 2014 at 1:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ruth! I’m sure that little phoebe had a vision that no one else has.
  
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lesliepaints on August 4, 2014 at 8:56 pm said:

Beautiful, beautiful drawing, Tim!

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- foresterartist on August 4, 2014 at 9:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you Leslie!
  
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doronart on August 6, 2014 at 12:41 pm said:

Tim, I thought I should give you enough time to do your fine art painting and you already finished.. It is beautiful drawing. I also thought dealing with big logs you can’t draw soft and small.. amazingly wrong!!! yes you can and it is amazing work. good to visit you again.

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- foresterartist on August 6, 2014 at 3:48 pm said:
  
  Thank you Doron. I do my best. It is alway good to hear from you! I hope you are feeling quick and spry these days.
  
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  - doronart on August 10, 2014 at 3:22 pm said:
    
    Thanks I am around like your new blog theme looking good 🙂
    
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    - foresterartist on August 10, 2014 at 5:20 pm said:
      
      Hey thanks. That’s the first comment on it. I suppose it’s like getting a new haircut.
      
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      - doronart on August 24, 2014 at 10:04 am said:
        
        Observation… my friend… hair cut.. more like a new outfit! And trust me you look great my good friend. Love your work it always enjoyable to look and read thanks. happy Sunday 🙂
        
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      - foresterartist on August 25, 2014 at 11:51 am said:
        
        Thank you so much.
        
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      - doronart on August 25, 2014 at 12:36 pm said:
        
        🙂
        
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chatou11 on August 9, 2014 at 5:02 am said:

Beautiful drawing Tim!

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- foresterartist on August 9, 2014 at 6:42 am said:
  
  Thank you!
  
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