The Latest from the Museum

On Tuesday Anna and I went along to the museum again for our bird drawing session. We only had two birds this week, a Bellbird and a Curlew. The Curlew was a winner with his long long beak, but it was difficult getting him to fit on the page! His feathers were gorgeous and it was great to be able to study the varying patterns on his feathers. Since I use these drawings to make etchings I have to remember to take note of the detail (something I'm often a bit lazy about) because the drawings are all I have when it comes time to make the etching plate.

Bellbirds are the bird you hear down by the river in Melbourne. By Merri Creek and along the Yarra. They make a short loud sharp 'pip' sound, a bit like a fire alarm battery running out. They 'pip' to each other and you can hear them 'pipping' in the trees all along the banks of the river, but often you can't see them, if you do get a glimpse of one it's a surprise to see how green they are, or maybe it's just a surprise to me because I'm still not used to seeing brightly coloured birds!