drawing: the kingfisher

While I was fishing the other day, a bird, perched over the water, caught my eye. At first, I thought it was a Blue Jay because, well, it was blue, and it had a crest on its head. But then, it made a nice subtle chirping. Blue Jays actually make a loud alarming sound. So I knew this bird was different.

I continued to fish. An hour or so later, I saw the bird again. This time, the bird had a Bluegill in its mouth. The bluegill was almost as big as the bird itself! I suddenly realized that this bird is a Kingfisher!

I’ve seen nature shows that featured kingfishers and how good they are at catching their food from the water. And here it is right before my eyes. In honor of the sighting, I just had to draw the cute little bugger (when I got home).

Sorry to get so excited but I always wanted to see this amazing little bird in person. Plus, I am a birder enthusiast AND I love fishing. Birds that are made for catching fish are a win-win in my book :)

If you like Outdoor & Nature art, please feel free to check out my shop.

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sketch: osprey catches fish

I am working on a series of sketches about Florida wildlife. I am hoping to tie the illustrations with a video I am also creating on the Everglades.

For starters, today’s drawing is of a predatory Osprey bird, swooping across the sky to catch a nice fish for a meal.

Stay tuned for more :)

Happy weekend!

sketch: great white shark

Recently, I went to Cape Cod and I did all the awesome activities that the amazing locale has to offer, except one. And that is, swimming in the ocean. Absolutely, no swimming in the sea for me because there have been more sightings of sharks in the area. Sharks are attracted to the population boom of sea lions close to the shoreline. Delicious, fatty sea lions.

In Cape Cod, there are warning signs everywhere to beware and to swim at your own risk. There are even stop-the-bleeding kits stationed at the beaches! Sharks can easily mistake a surfer, body boarder or swimmer for a sea lion meal. If a shark bites you, they won’t go, “I’m sorry, my bad.” The ocean is their domain and who would be the one to blame if a shark and a human cross paths?

Now I am shaking just thinking about it. Anyway, I do a sketch of a Great White Shark. I guess if I want to face my fears, I have to draw it. Right?

Did you swim at the beach this summer? Without the fear of sharks swimming nearby? What animal do you fear?

cartoon: salmon (part 4 of 6)

Down swoops a bald eagle. Salmon is not safe even from the air!

cartoon: salmon (part 3 of 6)

Otters are such cute furry mammals but don’t be fooled, they are very agile hunters in the water. Normally, seen floating on their backsides, shucking and eating oysters, otters predominantly eat fish. And Salmon are on top of the menu.

cartoon: salmon (part 2 of 6)

Not long after hatching from its egg, the baby Salmon dodges many aquatic critters bigger than he is, like the Dragonfly Nymph. Scary as they are, the nymph has protruding mandibles and is truly the ‘face-hugger’ of the fingerling world. Swim away fast, tiny salmon!

cartoon: salmon (part 1 of 6)

This is the first in a small series I’m working on, which follows the challenging life of a Salmon fish, taken in ‘snapshots’. Stay tuned for more as I add to the cartoon in the coming days.

Happy Easter everybody!

illustration: plesiosaur vs dunkleosteus

The quick and nimble Plesiosaurus encounters the megashark, Dunkleosteus. Both creatures were deep sea dinosaurs from the prehistoric seas of early Earth. Check out my illustration which is available at my store now.

There can only be one alpha predator. Who do you think will win this battle?

sketch: salmon shark

It’s a bummer to be a salmon in a world where everybody loves to eat salmon steak and sushi. It’s even worse when salmon have an apex predator stalking them called a Salmon Shark. This is my sketch of a salmon shark on the prowl. He kinda turned out cute. Almost huggable.

illustration: largemouth bass

Largemouth Bass are a North American freshwater fish. Bass are popular as a game fish because of its predatory behavior. They are omnivorous. Meaning they will eat anything that moves, even if the prey may be too big to swallow. In addition to bait fish, bass will consume insects, snails, frogs and even small water birds. In my drawing, the Largemouth is chasing a fast moving crayfish which makes for a nice crispy treat. But who is the faster one here?