8 June 08
Western Gull
Our trip to Alcatraz was fascinating in many respects, but having nesting Western gulls so close was a treat. I sketched a lot of them, in between tending my table.
The buildings haven’t been restored much since the island was turned into a National Park, though plenty of work has been done on the gardens, a task that used to be fulfilled by inmates. The rooves, the chimneys, the parade ground were covered with nesting gulls.
The young are comical, flapping ineffectually and cheeping almost as ineffectually. Spotted fuzzballs.
Today was International Drawing Day. I did do a few sketches that weren’t of birds, including this view of San Francisco from the ferry on the way back in…
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Oh my gosh…I LOVE your gulls! Gulls fascinate me; they’re like crows of the sea (slightly less obnoxious unless they really really want that french fry you’re eating). ;)
Your gull art here reminds me of the children’s picture book, “Thy Friend, Obediah.” Oh, and cool city skyline too!
It seems that your most recent drawings have taken you in an exciting new direction. This whole project fills me with awe.