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.
A red-tailed hawk with her prey, in pen and ink.
California Valley Quail, Callipepla californica, in pen and ink. This is the male. The covey often has one bird acting as lookout. This one was standing on a stone fence.
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.
It’s been almost a year since Blitz passed. Soon after, I did this portrait of her as a bit of art therapy.
Our new girl golden retriever puppy was born on the 6th. She will be coming home in about six weeks. I can’t wait.
Our new baby is in there somewhere. She’s the cute one. Photo courtesy of Susan Liptak.
It just so happens her Grandmother, Gracie, is staying with us for awhile. In fact, at this moment she is putting a stuffed toy wolverine in my lap and asking for me to throw it for her. She’s staying with us while I’m running her in the Junior Hunt Tests for her owner and personal friend, Sally. Blitz was Gracie’s cousin.
Gracie is schmoozing for a retrieve with a stuffed wolverine. I think the wolverine is well loved.
This weekend we attended the Marin Retriever Club Hunt Test in Corning, California. It was a double header and we ran dogs on Saturday and Sunday. Mary ran her Sailor, Sally ran her Bella and I ran Sally’s Gracie. Great fun was had by all, especially the dogs. Everybody qualified in both events.
The gunner shoots the live flyer. Gracie and I are at the line watching her second bird go down. Photo courtesy of MaryA Livingston.
Prints available at Fine Art America.
What! Didn’t you hear it’s Squirrel Appreciation Day, January 21st. Our blogger friend Linda Martin Anderson alerted me to this important day in her blog at A Writer’s Playground. Check it out. A kid friendly blog with every special day of the month to discover.
Giving the look!
While winding down a steep mountain road two hunting seasons ago, this little scamp was gathering nuts. I surprised him and he ran up a large black oak tree. Just a short way up the tree he turned and gave me “the look.” He was sure I was coveting his nuts! Then he berated me as best he could with an acorn in his mouth. So I shot him. Sorry, I meant to say, I shot his picture with my Nikon. You can see it here, Forestry Friday … It’s The Time Of The Season For Squirrels.
The print of this pen and ink is available at Fine Art America.
Otter in pen and ink.
I did this drawing at the same time as “Forestry Friday … Otter, Otter, Otter.” I’m just now getting around to posting it.
Our local otter enjoying a yummy frog breakfast!
Pen and ink prints available at Fine Art America.
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/otter-in-the-water-timothy-livingston.html
THE FORESTER ARTIST 