A fawn lying low to avoid a predator. I added to the original pen and ink. Mary thought it was lacking. Is it an improvement?
The Fawn as I originally drew it in a vignette.
The pen and ink was based off of another fawn picture I took. I love when they are just a couple of days old and they’ll lay down and be still.
Loading poles and lumber at the mill yard. Another peek at “TIMBER!” The ink is done on this page, and it just needs a bit of watercolor.
California Valley Quail on sentry duty. Pen and Ink.
It’s tough being a prey item. California valley quail deal with this fact of life by having a sentry to watch over the covey. He’s not much for defending the covey, but will sound a pretty good alarm.
Preliminary sketch of Timber cover art in pencil.
Mary and I are collaborating on a new forestry picture book. We are deeply into the thick of the process. Our original forestry book, Forests, Trees and Wood, came out in 1993. It’s now out of print and this new book will take it’s place, (Red Tail Publishing 2016).
A red-tailed hawk with her prey, in pen and ink.
Bliss was close to death. Dr. Bob called to tell us that we had better come to see her now. We knew what he meant by what he didn’t say.
Inspired by a near tragedy, watercolor, and pen and ink.
This was last June. Mary has posted the entire story on her blog at Sneaking Bliss. I encourage you to read it, especially if you are a dog owner.
Killdeer in colored pen and ink, and in person. 
The Spotted Pine Sawyer in pen and ink.
The spotted pine sawyer beetle is in the longhorn beetle genus. If you hang out around enough log landings you’re bound to see them. This one flew into my truck.
Be careful how you pick them up. They have strong mandibles and are happy to bite you.
They reproduce in dead and dying trees. Their larvae will bore into the log, thus reducing its value.
The larval form is a borer that damages the wood.
A log deck in the wood is a natural attractant for the beetles. If the logs sit in the woods too long the beetles will get into them.
Spotted Pine Sawyer, Monochamus galloprovicialis.
Curious Young Bear in pen and ink.
As we rounded the corner, we spooked this young bear. He ran up the hill a short distance and hid behind a large Douglas-fir tree. His curiosity got the best of him as he peeked around one side of the tree and his behind stuck out the other. I stopped the rig so we could watch him. He didn’t run away. We got out and started taking pictures.
His curiosity got the best of him. He had to get a better look at us.
He watched us for a while and we watched him. An older bear would never have stayed for a look. Soon his curiosity was satisfied and we went our separate ways.
California Black Bear, Ursus americanus
Monica was our pole plant/log clerk for many years and is a dear friend. She lives near Shasta Lake and has told me countless stories of her encounters with bears around her home. Of course she had to listen to my countless bear stories too. She just retired, so I gave her a signed and mounted print of this pen and ink. I think of her every time I look at it.
Wild as in wildlife. Naturally, the coyote comes after the roadrunner.
Coyote in mixed media. Done with pen and ink, and watercolor.
I enjoy seeing wild coyotes and I see them often. As a dog lover, I’m sympathetic toward them. On the flip side I have no illusions about their predator nature and I keep an eye out for our pets and livestock.
This coyote was just west of the house. She came cruising through and posed very politely.
Ranchers have to protect their livestock because it’s their livelihood. Coyotes have to hunt because it’s their livelihood. It’s a tough reality for coyotes and ranchers alike. All part of the harsh balance of nature.
It’s tough being a coyote.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 