Elepaio

The Elepaio is native to the three Hawaiian islands of Hawaii, Oahu, and Kauai. This beautiful bird is actually one of Hawaii's most abundant songbirds but is still classified as endangered due to severe recent declines.

I have always preferred painting to drawing but recently made it a goal to improve my drawing skills. This particular mixed media piece is dear to my heart because it is the first sketch that began my journey to becoming a better draftsman (draftslady?). Drawing is now a great passion of mine.

The Greater Adjutant

The Greater Adjutant is a disturbing-looking scavenger that can reach a height of 5 feet. They have disappeared from most of their historic range in India due to habitat loss. The species is globally threatened, with a total population thought to number no more than a thousand. A small remaining number of these birds can be found feeding in garbage heaps in Vietnam and Thailand.

I saw a photo of a lone Adjutant atop a mountain of trash and was immediately intrigued by this bird. I have always found a quiet sense of beauty in filth and ugliness.